Day of Seeing

Do you allow others to experience God through you? Do you take to Facebook and Twitter (or any other social media outlet) to complain, vent, or disparage? Everyone experiences frustration, anger, and irritation (I just did last evening as a matter of fact), but consider how you express these things publicly.

Sometimes, an interaction with you is the only opportunity for someone to experience God's love. An interaction may mean a direct conversation with someone or indirect through witness of your behavior (and public posts sharing your feelings about something). The next time you think about taking to a public forum to express your angst, consider taking it to God instead. The next time a situation has you seething and grumpy, consider showing an act of kindness toward someone else. Showing God's love outwardly even when someone else may not be showing the same love toward you provides a little glimpse of what Jesus experienced for us. If He could do it for us, I think we should do it for Him.

Day 92: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me strength to bite my tongue. Thank you for your forgiveness when I respond to situations poorly and without your love at the forefront.  

Lord, it seems we have made it accepting in our culture to speak with forked tongues. You taught us not to rush to anger, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9) I fear we rush to swiftly to the instant communication mediums to share with anyone who will listen and tell us what we want to hear rather than rushing to you to tell us what we need to hear. I fear we've become a society unable to face the possibility it could be us who need to change and not others. You may tell us to change ourselves, while others are rarely so bold, even if it's what we need. I miss the days pre-Internet. However, in the very next verse, you teach us not to reflect on the old days, "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions."(Ecclesiastes 7:10) Why is it unwise to desire a time of more face-to-face communication and real relationships? Are we to learn to deal with what is in front of us and not what we left behind? I ask for your wisdom in this area to move my attention away from missing the past and focusing on the future.

Father God, I ask for your direct involvement with one person who may need your hit between the eyes revelation to show your love versus expressing his or her angst. If it is your will, could you reveal to him or her a kindness from one of your children which could fundamentally transform his or her view of the day. I pray this act of love, whatever it is, could be the pivotal point of change for the person with whom you've intervened.

I love you.

Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/198158452328646735/

Day of Opportunity

When you embark on a journey such as maintaining a blog, I don't think you really know what to expect. There might be some people who anticipate massive doting fans or others who only expect family and a few friends to peruse the blog periodically. Either expectation is totally fine in my humble opinion! Surprisingly, my number one priority has been me (for those of you who know me, saying my goal has been about me may contrast with my normal stance on things...shocker!!). Perhaps, I sound selfish, but when it comes to improving my prayer life, I'm totally okay with sounding selfish!

Even though my primary goal has been to improve my relationship with God, I did have a semblance of hope that maybe my little blog could help introduce someone to God, provide someone support in his daily walks with Christ, or help someone through a challenge by way of my own experiences. I never expected this public display of my prayer life would open up so many opportunities to transform others. Holy cow!! I'm completely humbled by the warm responses I have received thus far and fall to God's amazing power to work through His children in spreading His love.

Day 38: Heavenly Father, thank you for your continued presence with me every day. Sometimes, I don't know what to say to you; sometimes, I feel a little lost. But, Father, you always know exactly what needs to be said and when. I'm thankful I shut up long enough to hear you!!

God, why did you choose me? I feel inadequate in so many ways. I'm not a biblical expert. I can't quote scripture like many others. I've made many many mistakes. I falter daily. Father, why do I get to be the one to help guide others to a better understanding of you? Why do I get this opportunity to help initiate discussions about you? How do I speak to your plan, expectation, infinite wisdom when I am so little in comparison to your magnificence? Lord, why have you bestowed me this blessing when there are an infinite number of people more educated, more compassionate, more eloquent with their speech? 

Father God, you have blessed me beyond measure! I pray this little public display of prayer benefits others as much as it has me. I am your servant and am open to all the opportunities this blog presents. Thank you for choosing me for this important task.

I love you.