When you get what you need!

Today was a really great day.  I got exactly what I needed after a bunch of tough days.  At lunchtime Ken and I were out running some errands and he suggested that we go to A & W.  Does anything taste as good as that good, frosty mug of the real A & W?  It just gives me a warm feeling, thinking about all the memories I have of that wonderful treat in a glass.  My mom loved A & W.  And there was an A & W near our "Lake".  So many times, a trip to town for groceries or laundry included a stop for a frosty mug.  Yes, this was a great treat for me today, just what I needed. 

Then this afternoon my small group met to bid farewell to one precious couple who are retiring and moving to Florida.  The down side to this is that they are moving without a place to live permanently.  (They are staying with family while they find a home) There is another couple who are currently looking for a new house since their home is sold and they need to be out by August 1.  There are issues with adult children, relatives that have serious illnesses who are near death, another person who is in transition in their living situation, several with job stresses and health issues.  So my "little" problem with my lack of employment seemed, well, SMALL!  But this wonderful, dear group of friends, reminded me that no issue is small when it is yours.  They prayed for and encouraged me.  It was exactly what I needed.  How great is a few hours spent in food, fellowship and prayer!  Just as the group was breaking up, the couple moving to Florida, brought in a box of books to share with the group.  When the box was opened, this book was on the top.

And I knew it was there for me.  Gwen has been reading this book for her small group Bible Study and she has been encouraging me to read this!  As one man said, "Wow, you really want THAT? It is sure not light reading!"  The book is a good 2" thick!  But, it was again exactly what I needed!

Don't you just love when Jesus gives you exactly what you need? I sure do.  Today was an amazing day of seemingly small (and sometimes hefty - the book) surprises.  While we were sharing about our needs and concerns, I got a text from Gwen.  There were tornado warnings in her area and she was asking for prayer.  So we stopped and prayed for protection for their area and their family.  About 15 minutes later, I got a reply text that they were safe and in the clear.  There was a tornado touch down very near them.  Just as we were celebrating that answer to prayer, the storm hit our meeting place.  It was really very strong and lots and lots of rain.  We were not under any tornado warnings, but it was a bad storm.  I texted Gwen to pray for us!  Soon the storm passed and we were also in the clear. Prayers cell phone to cell phone.  Exactly what we needed. 

I just love this picture of how Jesus provides for us, amidst the storms in our life.  He provides friends and family to stand with us in prayer.  He provides the love and support that we all so desperately need that assures us that we are not alone in all that we are going through.  We are reminded that there are many others who are worse off than we are.  And He stands with us in the storms. 

Yes,  tonight I can say with great assurance, I got exactly what I needed!

Jesus, thank you so much for your great love, your protection and your covering.  Thank you for friends that open their home for meetings and shower us with your love.  Holy Spirit, encourage us all to remember who we are in you.  Thank you for giving me exactly what I needed!  Amen

When you still have questions but others think you have the answers!

Well, today my message from "God wants you to know...." (This is an interesting site on Facebook that just sends you little messages now and then) was "You already know the answer!"  Wait a minute...... I know that I have lots of questions, lots of things I have been discussing with Jesus and I am absolutely sure that I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS!  Do you ever feel this way?

 

In fact this puzzling little statement leaves me with far more questions than answers.  It is so hard when someone else - especially Jesus - tells you that you already know what seems so elusive to you.  So this takes a bit of reflection..............

 

So, Jesus.....  Why am I always so slow to understand the things that you are trying to say to me?

I am sure that I don't have the answer to that one.

Why do I feel as if I am going around the same "mountain" (insert issue, problem, situation - whatever fits)?     Nope, no answer to that one either.

Am I on the right path to fulfill your destiny for me?  Not sure on this one.

 

Oh, boy, this is a just a small sampling.  So........  I will spend some time and really search my own heart and spirit, and listen carefully so that I can have some answers! 

 

Just as I was about to end this Blog post, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the many, many times I have said to my own children (or the children that I nanny) "You already know the answer to that question".  Really, what mom has NOT said those words?  It is usually when the answer is so obvious that the question is simply silly.  Things like "Can I go outside without my shoes?" when it is 30 degrees.  Or "Can I have just one more cookie?" when dinner is just 5 minutes away.  So, suddenly I have a different perspective on this statement. 

 

So let's see......  I don't understand all that Jesus is saying to me because I don't stop to listen carefully.  I am always rushing around and not taking the time to stop and let the Holy Spirit really give me the full revelation.

I am not going around the SAME mountain.  It may feel the same, look the same, but I have been moving forward and upward.  So the present "mountain" is NOT the same!

And, I can be sure that you Jesus, will nudge me back onto the correct path if I have in some way, veered off to one side or the other. 

 

I guess I did  know the answers!  Thank you Jesus for using something like this to speak to me today.  Instead of feeling like I did not get any answers from you, I will stop and listen and reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to show me that I do have your answers!  Jesus, help all of my friends that are having a hard time right now, and feel as if they don't have the answers to hard questions that they have been asking you.  Give them assurance that they do KNOW!  Thank you Jesus!  Amen