A Real Game Changer

Felt it was time to dust off the pages of this blog and bring some of my journal entries to life.  I heard this quote lately and it's been so strong resonating with me.

"Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees."

I've been convicted lately about my prayer life.  I listened to a sermon recently (from Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, FL) about prayer being a game changer.  In our lives as Christians, prayer is essential.  We are encouraged to come to God in prayer, through Christ, like we would talk to a friend in a conversation.  Do I come to prayer expecting that God will hear and answer?  I believe, if I'm honest, I come to prayer to check it off my list of things to do during the day.  I don't always come with a haste that God will do whatever it is that I am asking.  Prayer is about thanking God for who He is and asking in faith that if we knock at the door, He will indeed open that door (Matthew 7:7).  I believe God is always at work in our hearts and minds to build us and help us grow into the unique person He crafted us to be long before we were even born.

When my Dad was diagnosed with ALS/Lou-Gehrig's Disease on February 1st, it felt like the whole world shifted on it's axis and stopped.  I wondered, "how can people be happy right now, how can people keep doing stuff?"  It was like the world kept turning, despite the chill we had gotten when we received the news.  Since that time as things have progressed little by little with his disease, God has still been at work.  I know he has been at work in me.

God has reminded me first off that He hasn't gone anywhere.  That I haven't been forgotten.  That I am loved by Him.  I noticed that when a hospice patient of mine, out of the blue, looked me in the eye and said, "You know God can do anything but fail, right?"  She had no idea what was going on in my personal life, my job, my world, or the fact that I had just left a family member's funeral about 3 hours prior to her making that statement to me.  She, herself, is on hospice with a life expectancy estimated at six months or less, but she was sharing her faith with me.  I don't believe in coincidences and I believe it was a gift from God that I want to cherish.

God has also reminded me that I am enough.  Enough for Him.  It doesn't matter what expectations anyone or anything else has for me, knowing that in God's eyes I am enough, is calming. It doesn't ease the pain, it doesn't heal my Dad, it doesn't fix any troubles we have on this earthly world but it gives a peace inside that can only come from God.  I don't believe my Heavenly Father is out to make my life miserable. 

When you're going through tough times it can seem as if anything that anyone says is cold and without meaning.  It's difficult to find positives or blessings that could be waiting along the road if we stopped long enough to smell the roses.  But oftentimes God places gentle reminders right in front of us.  It could be through a random act of kindness, nature, music, family, or friends.  I've certainly been amazed looking back at how thoughtful the small things can really be.  So don't forget, no matter what you may be facing this very moment that God hasn't gone anywhere and that you are enough. 

I'm not 100% there yet but each moment is a new chance to continue working to get there.  I'm learning to simply be thankful, grateful, and blessed.  Do the same friends.  Life is such a gift. ❤