An Expectant Heart

How often do we consider the way we pray? Ever wonder if you're even doing it right?? When, where, how often, with reverence or more like we're talking with an old friend? Not to mention posturing... hands folded, hands lifted, eyes closed, eyes up? So much to contemplate. But are these choices making a difference? I know my personal choices vary with my circumstances, and what I feel is the gravity of the prayer I am bringing. The happy and rejoicing prayers usually involve hands lifted high, but when I am bringing someone else's needs or I am in a place of hardship and sorrow... hands folded and eyes closed feels like the right approach.

Looking at all of it, I honestly believe He knows your heart no matter how you approach Him, it's the fact that you are drawing near and have the belief that He hears and acknowledges every single time. When we humble ourselves before Him, it's not a sign of weakness...more a sign of worship, it's a sign of trust that we know He sees what's going on in our lives and will be faithful to provide.

Our human nature and instant gratification world tend to make us very impatient sometimes... but His ways are so much higher and I've grown and certainly learned that His timeline and answers don't always line up with the way I had invisioned things. Acceptance and surrender to His will is a daily practice, not a "one and done" for sure!

How many times do we lift up a prayer or desire (once or twice) and if it doesn't happen we think to ourselves, or others tell us "It must not be God's will". We have to remember that "yes", "no" and "not right now" are all answers!

I think about Elijah praying for the promised rain:

He prayed with expectancy that God would answer. When there was no sign of rain, he sent his servant back...

"Go back and look again".

"Go back and look again".

Seven times he told him to go back, keep checking, keep looking. Do we pray and believe that way? Going back to Him and earnestly bringing our hearts and belief? Fervent prayer with expectation? Let us not forget the other times Elijah prayed boldly, not messing around with small requests, and God answered...drought, raising a widow's son, calling down fire.

We also need to remember that although repetition can be important, our motive matters to Him.

If you really think about it, the power of prayer that has been given to us is mind-blowing! We have been given a share in His authority to come boldly to the throne . Prayer is a powerful thing, it can be your place of refuge and it can also be your battlefield to fight against the darkness that may be seeking to destory His light in your life.

We, as sons and daughters, have a greater role in this relationship than we sometimes think. "In Jesus name" is not to be taken lightly...It enforces in His authority the power of what we have prayed... like the drop of a judge's gavel!

And if you think "Amen" is just a sweet little way to sign off... it is actually an ancient Hebrew word that translates to "Let this be done!". Remember that next time and understand the power of the word.

Bring your praise and thanksgiving each and everytime. One of the most difficult things I've ever done is to bring thanks in the midst of tragedy. But, again, He knows your heart. I had to learn how to invite him into my tears and heartache to allow love, comforting and healing to take place...these are the things I can lift thanks for.

He is always there catching the tears as they fall.

Always be aware, the enemy will rush in and try to make you feel betrayed when things don't line up or you feel unheard...this is never the truth.

Turn your eyes from the strain, the wreckage, the doubts and disappointments and fix your eyes on the resources of a living God.

So...adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, which ever form your prayers take on any given day... LIft them up with expectancy!

- Look to Him, not the waves.

Good Intentions

We cannot change the past and we do not own the future. Two very real and hard truths. What we do have is the present moment, and we have the ability to be intentional with how we spend it. As we aim toward our goals, aspirations and dreams we grow and that's the gift we are given...the moments well spent growing, learning and connecting on our way to a future destination. Most of us will never come to realize all that we are capable of, that's the wonderful thing, the human capacity will always exceed our grasp...the potential is infinite.

If we live to be 80 years old, on average, we spend 26 years sleeping, 13 years working, spend 11 years on screen time and 4 years eating... Yep, you do the math and then let that sink in. Time is a gift and is never promised, we all have a number hovering above our heads. Doesn't it make sense to be intentional with the priceless gift of today?

Where and how do we start making the most of the here and now?

I know it's impossible to be "on" all of the time, I am a perpetual student to this way of living and thinking. Trust me, some days are tougher than others! However, I believe there are bite-sized choices we could all be making to live with intent. It's the small actions that build the momentum!

Are you living in the "one day/ someday" mindset? Everyone needs goals, but are you giving your life away in pursuit of the trophy at the finish line? Is life just happening to you, or are you actively participating in the creation of it?

If we set our intentions daily on the things that are important to us, it begins a renewal in our mindset. It's a shift to being specific and conscious about the choices we make. Our lives start to align with our values and what is special or significant to us. It's a process to reprogram old ways of thinking (or not thinking) about how we want to spend our days.

Sometimes it's difficult for us to step out of the comfortable and familiar, it feels safer to stay put right where we are. That stupid voice that seems to stomp its feet and yell to "be afraid of change!". I am doing my best to remind myself that trying new things, growing and failing are just the steps we take while learning. We've all had moments when we want to throw our hands up in the air and give up. Don't let your desire to fit in, or be accepted cause you to become invisible. Step out and dare to let your light shine. Discouragement is sneaky... do NOT let it sit down and have coffee with you in the morning!

So... what can we be more intentional with? Maybe it's your quality time with your kids, maybe it's that creative project you've pushed to the back burner, maybe it's taking care of your body and what you put in it, maybe it's being more connected and present with the important people in your life? Remember... bite-sized actions build the momentum!

Maybe you start with being intent on a good morning routine, cutting back on screen time, reading those books that are collecting dust, starting that journal, eating cleaner and moving your body, spending time in fellowship more often. Whatever it looks like for you...set the intentions one at a time, be present in it, and cherish the moments you are given as you grow.

Great coffee conversations, dancing in the kitchen, sunrises with someone special, belly laughs, serving those in need, moments appreciating nature, time spent reflecting and being grateful. Do more of these - with intent.

The gift of time was given to you freely, but in the end...how you spend it is priceless.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"The Lord your God is in your midst, A Mighty Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love (making no mention of your past sins), He will delight in you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Motion-activated

We live in the country and I love our motion-activated gate.

I know when I drive up and approach it, it will swing open and allow me to move out onto the road ahead of me.

Sometimes I think about the ways we approach the things ahead of us in life, the things we want or desire to accomplish.

Do we spin our wheels and sit stuck in one place? Do we proceed with such considerable caution that we are never able to make it to our desired destination?

Maybe it’s a dream, goal, aspiration, wish, intention…call it what you want, it takes motion to get there.

I believe God is “motion-activated” too. I am by no means perfect (and probably less than adequate) in my part of this equation, but I believe He watches to see if WE are willing to get things rolling. Some would say it’s all about just taking the steps of faith, but I think it involves more than just faith to make things happen.

Are we asking for guidance? Are we fervently seeking the right directions? Are we making the first move, knocking, with firm belief that He is right there ready to open the door?

Often we are just overwhelmed by thoughts of what the outcome may be if we decide to step out of our proverbial comfort zone, fears are something we all battle...all of us. How many circumstances can you look back on in your life where fears dictated your next move? Me, way too many to count I’m sure. Fear becomes the beloved companion of complacency. Some fears in life create safe boundaries (and let us not forget under certain circumstances they can help us survive) but left to run amuck, they will leave YOU stuck.

But here’s the thing… dreams, goals, intentions all seem very simple when they remain in our heads, the problem is “simple is not always easy”. Simple solutions usually take work and the steps may not be “easy”. Too many times we never even get off the ground with the things that will have the greatest impact on our lives and the lives of those around us (the ripple effect) because we realize it’s just not going to be easy.

As the calendar pages of my life flip by (anybody happen to see where 2020 and 2021 went ??) I am coming to the realization that the stakes of hesitation continue to grow greater and greater as time passes. What if just once we decided to jump in full force to something, completely unsure of where our actions are going to take us? Something not perfectly planned, not perfectly organized, not perfect at all. Just starting something messy. Wouldn’t that be better than never starting at all?

Isn’t it strange that far too frequently our actions are consistent with the way we see (and judge) ourselves, not the way He sees us? Imagine the freeing power of seeing ourselves and our potential through His eyes! Feel free to see yourself in a superhero cape here.

Of course we want discernment and wisdom to make good choices, that’s where prayer comes in…it allows us a direct and open line to the One who has the answers we are looking for.

Are we seeking and then listening, watching and anticipating a reply? I haven’t yet experienced a thundering voice rolling out of the heavens telling me exactly what I should do (that’d be awesome and also slightly terrifying), but I have experienced His counsel in other ways. It’s come in the form of loving and wise people around me that I trust, it’s come in the form of unanswered prayers for something that I thought I really wanted, often it is a feeling deep in my spirit… you know, those “gut instincts”.

So then what?? You trust. You trust your decision to start messy and not stay idle. You trust that even if you start to wander off the path in the wrong direction that God will gently correct you (sometimes He also uses roadblocks, barricades and guardrails). Just remember He sees you stepping out, putting things in motion, believing in the gifts He gave you and great is His faithfulness to do His part (your purpose, His plan).

Don’t let the fear of the unknown leave you with regrets. Don’t let unmade decisions become burdens you carry.

You are provided grace for your mistakes and new mercies every. single.

morning.

The world needs what YOU have to offer, no one else can provide what you can give in the way that you can give it.

So…. Ask. Seek. Knock.

Then… put it in drive my friend!