IS THAT REALLY GOD'S STILL, SMALL VOICE

 

Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.    1 Kings 19:11-12 MSG

I have been praying for an answer. Why did I think God would unfurl a banner from heaven with the words "Do This" or "Don't Do That"? Maybe He would speak to me through a song on the radio, or a word from my pastor. I waited for one of these senerios to play out, but nothing, only quiet and stillness.

I am sure part of the problem is my own busyness. Honestly, I haven't taken time to listen to my husband, let alone the still small voice of God. I know I am not alone, most of us fill our lives with different things that command all of our conscience time. As soon as the alarm goes off in the morning, my mind is racing as I head to the bathroom to take my shower. "What day is this? Monday? Ok,"  I have my mammogram appointment at 8:00, then work till 4:30, go home feed the dogs, head out to finish painting the other house, grab something to eat, then before you know it, I am on my way home, and it is 10:30. Set the alarm, crash, repeat.

I remember last summer, I was presented with an "offer I couldn't refuse". I thought it was the answer to all my unhappiness with my job, uncertainty about the future and chance for change - all the things I had been praying about for years.  I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, it was exactly what I wanted to do, perfect. Except, there was a nagging in my heart that seemed to to say no, this is not for you. I tried every which way to make it work out. I had discussions with myself trying to drown out the words in my head that seemed to say "not yet, not this".

So, before I left on our mission trip to Nicaragua, I made one of the hardest calls I had to make, declining the offer. Surprisingly, when I hung up, there was peace, not regret. Little did I know, that just three weeks later, God would open the door to the most amazing, life changing, venture. If I had not listened to His prompting to say no, I would have missed out on something much better.

Then, on Friday, while I was once again praying, it hit me. I am in the same position now. I have a tremendous opportunity to do something I love, to serve on a mission trip to Nicaragua. To teach a cake decorating class to the women at House of Hope, and love on the children at One By One. Who could deny the value of a trip like this, or all the good it affords. Yet, I have a nagging, heaviness in my heart that it just isn't the right time for me. It doesn't make sense to me. It does not have to make sense to me though, does it? I just need to listen to the still, small voice in my heart that says "Not this time.". 

I know that God has a reason for everything, even though in my finite mind I cannot figure it out. I have to trust that where He leads, He provides, and He sustains.

I have to trust that where He leads, He provides, and He sustains.
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So, I make the phone call I have been dreading, and just like last time - peace. I don't know what it is that God has in store for me, or what His plans are, but I am excited to find out!


When have you said no to what seemed like it should be yes?

My Pillar of Cloud

"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."   Exodus 13:21 NIV

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

I have always found low lying clouds to be mysterious and beautiful. They appear to move and breathe if you are still and watch long enough. Have you ever been close enough to one of these patches of fog, appearing so close you could almost touch it? I have a time or two in a field on the side of the highway. Each time I wanted to pull over and "walk through the clouds". I promise myself, the next time that opportunity arises, I WILL do it.

A few weeks ago, I had the priviledge of attending the Asheville Christian Writers Conference at The Cove - The Billy Graham Training Center. What an amazingly peaceful and tranquil bit of heaven on earth. I honestly had tears in my eyes as I pulled away from the guard gate. As luck would have it, I forgot to pack my phone charger, a small blessing in disguise. Without the distractions of social media, phone calls, texts and emails, I was able to focus all my attention on the true purpose for being there.  The only regret, with a dead phone battery, I was unable to take all of the photos I wanted.  I only captured one picture of the mountain view, and it was breathtaking.

The Cove

Sunday morning, the clouds hung low in the valley. I was comforted by the beauty of this white, fluffy blanket that seemed to cover us. Immediately I was reminded of the scripture I had recently read about the children of  Israel, being lead in the wilderness by a 'pillar of cloud'. So easily, I imagined what it must have been like in that desert, all those centuries ago with Moses, to see a cloud and know that it was God.  Peace flooded my heart at the vision of this mass that hovered above, seemingly at arms reach.

As you may have read in an earlier post, we have been dealing with the clean up from a storm in early March. A tree fell on the roof of a house we own. Add to that - working on another piece of property to get it ready for habitation, cleaning up our own house and the tree that fell there, finding out we are losing not one but two different tenants, bills piling up, and the already tiny money pile shrinking. I had to take a few days off work from my full time job to get some things finished up. I had been praying for God to lead us, and provide for us, and was beginning (okay continuing) to stress about our entire situation.  As I was driving past Paris Mountain, close to my home, I was again reminded of God's presence as a pillar of cloud.

Paris Mountain

I stopped my car on the side of the road to take a photo.  There it was, to me, a symbol of God's presence. It seemed to whisper to my heart, "Peace! Be Still!". In that very moment, God was there with me, going on before me, and covering me with His peace. What an amazing gift.

To some, clouds or fog are only a nuisance. To me, they will forever be a sign of my Father's guidance, presence and peace.

Take time to notice the little things, God may be seeking your attention
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What are symbols of God's presence in your life?

GOD'S LOVE THROUGH A DOG'S EYES

The Lord is good,
A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him

Nahum 1:7 AMP

I am a firm believer that God will speak to us in many creative ways. He uses the Bible, lyrics to songs we hear on the radio, other people, just to name a few.  This week I felt the gentleness of his spirit speak to my heart through my sick, stinky, fur monster, Boo Boo.

I have never been able to have children of my own, so I have Fur Babies. I think I love my dogs as much as some parents love their own flesh and blood. Conan, our Chocolate Lab, and Boo Boo our Newfoundland, bring extra love, joy and slobber to our home, and I can't imagine life without them.

Dogs, one of life's greatest teachers, LOVE on 4 legs
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Boo Boo in particular is very clingy to me, in truth her name should have been Shadow. She follows me from room to room. As soon as she lays down on the cool tile floor in the breakfast nook while I am making my coffee, she has to get up and follow me to the bedroom at the other end of the house while I decide what to wear for the day. She flops into a huge pile of black fur in the middle of the bedroom floor (looking like a breathing bearskin rug). Next I am on my way to the bathroom to dry my hair. Of course she must follow me there as well, because she enjoys the hot air of the hair dryer on her back, as I tell her what a  'pretty' girl she is.

I recently took Boo to the vet because a skin issue had flared up. We left with a hefty dose of antibiotics for my fluff nugget. As the days passed, her appetite dwindled (very rare for a Newfoundland, who eats as much as she breathes). No longer did I have company from room to room, only when I sat down would she cuddle with me on the sofa, taking comfort in my love for her. She was so pitiful, and my heart hurt to see her not well.

When I read Nahum 1:7 in light of my relationship with Boo Boo, I have a small glimpse into the love of our Father has for us.  Boo seeks me out for comfort, and refuge. She trusts me to care for, and soothe her hurts. I recognize this is what she is doing. Because I love her dearly and understand that she was not well, I give her what she needs and asks for.

How many times have I run to God, seeking refuge at His side, comfort in His arms, too many to count. When my feelings are hurt by the insensitivity of another, I am overwhelmed at all I have to do, or I am just lost feeling, He is there. His spirit covers me with peace like a fresh blanket of snow

God is good. Turn to Him for strength, for refuge from the pain and storms of life, He will be your stronghold. He loves you, He understands you.

Do you have a favorite pet story that God has used to speak to your heart?  How has God shown His love to you this week?