That indeed is a good question Lord, why not?
I admit, I have been busy and the need to blog hasn't been a driving force- praise the Lord! And yet, I SO love it and it brings me great joy.
Earlier this week, God gave me the privilege of showing a woman in crisis my prayers for Marriages and directed her to read and pray. I asked her to take 40 days and really pray for her marriage and trust God. She is doing exactly what she knows God wants her to do -- to pray for her man...to be his help mate, and to encourage him. Yet....there is SO much more she wants. I could hear it in her voice. Often, many women quiet their desires and true feelings. They mask it -- I have been there. It is just easier to be quiet and keep the peace.
But God...
She wants a leader in her home. She wants that cherry on the top of her Sundae and doesn't want to have to manipulate to get it. Been there as well. There was a long season when I felt I was the spiritual leader of my home, but it was also a time that the enemy was able to convince me of much because I wasn't where I needed to be -- in HIS Word. So, I would try my best to manipulate stuff -- and it always ended up with tears or failure.
But God's grace....
When I think of couples that have been married for many many years, I have an array of different ones to seek for examples, inspiration, and advice. Some great. Some not tainted by sin and others so full of grace and forgiveness that bleeds out. Some just hanging on by a bare thread and others -- enjoying their time with God and yet, there is still this 'fantasy' of that PERFECT marriage. I watch people -- don't we all? Do you notice those couples in the restaurants on their phones and ignoring each other. Or do you see a couple that draws you in?
Honestly - there is NO perfect marriage because we are NOT perfect. Only Jesus was ....but goodness -- there are some that I have seen -- that come close. Those draw me in.... I watch them and I can get lost in comparison at times...as "I want that".
But faith...
On some days, my own marriage can come close, to that image that will draw me in, and on many other days -- it is a humble reality that we are just two broken, needly people -- but praise God, He heals. Praise God His mercies are new every morning and we are set free and able to indeed show love like Jesus did.
As I write this blog, this evening -- these 40 days of prayers are for the one who has to trust faith over her feelings or maybe even for a man reading this that must trust faith over his feelings. I had to trust my faith in a very hard season and it took OH so long - and yet, it was OH so worth it.... Our faith delights the Lord!
Let's see how the Holy Spirit speaks --
Before I start -- the photo of of my precious mother in law/love who I have had the privilege of knowing for almost 40 years now! Her kitchen is a safe haven where she has fed and entertained many. It is a kitchen that has invited guests to her home over the years so that God could be shared and people could be loved. It is a place where her sweet tea is created and consumed in gallons by my children and it is a place that glows with the touches and antiques of many years of love. It is a place where you can hear the Word of God.
Faith over feelings -- these prayers are going to focus on this. Faith to me ...illustrated - could be that warm kitchen - that glow ....
Lord, today I believe you stirred something in me. I have a few more questions and I am testing a few theories as well. You KNOW I am about to embark on a wild vacation and sitting and writing prayers is going to be a hard task and yet I know that I know -- indeed -- you want my fingers typing and praying.
So, I will start with this simple prayer --
Lord, I pray that the one reading this will continue with me for 40 days -- and as she or he reads the statement that we must seek faith over our feelings and 'faith' it until we feel it... goodness Lord ------ THAT can only happen if they SEEK YOU and humble their own hearts to believe that it is possible.
There is a sister hurting because of a phone call -
There is a mom hurting because of a loss -
There is a mom worried her actions will cause repercussions upon her children -
There is a mom full of pain because of choices -
There is a wife that has made some hard choices in the belief that she can't save her husband -
There is a wife handing onto the fact that YOU have promised her SO much more -
And there is a young momma ....just trying to be ready, as ready or not -- YOU are coming soon.
There are more women - more mommas and more wives that could be mentioned -- BUT YOU know Lord. You know HOW you created them for SUCH a time as this.
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