God delights in showing us considerate regard

"I will answer them before they even call to me.
    While they are still talking about their needs,
    I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"
Isaiah 65:24 NLT

“Sometimes, your faith can be like an unuttered prayer,” mummy said. She then shared the Bible verse above, Isaiah 65 verse 24. We’d been discussing an incident that had just happened. There was a conference at her church and she’d hosted a number of church goers in her home, about 10 or so by my count. Now, in the city I grew up in and where mummy still lives, access to water can be a challenge. It is a semi-arid area that is prone to droughts and fluctuating rainfall.

Growing up, we always had to contend with water rationing. Over the years, the situation has gotten progressively worse especially with the deterioration of infrastructure in the country. It has reached a point where each household has to have an alternative water supply or keep water reserves that can last for several days if not weeks or risk going without. The church conference lasted for four days and mummy hosted the church goers for only two to three days.

Needless to say, it was enough to put a dent into the household water reserves because a day into the conference, running water was cut off right on schedule. During one of the teachings at the conference, a speaker shared that they’d experienced an issue with installation of utility meters. They’d been assigned meters that weren’t sufficient to meet their need. He prayed about the issue and he felt God reassure him that He’d already met the need.

He shared that at one point, he ‘spoke to’ these meters with authority because he had faith that he’d already received them. Sure enough, he received the meters that God had promised. And so, when I realised that our water reserves were running low, I remembered this story and contemplated that perhaps I should ‘speak to the water supply’ with authority and tell it to be re-established outside the usual schedule.

I am not certain why I didn’t do this. Perhaps it was because it occurred to me as I was finishing my morning bath and preparing for the day. The thought may have gotten drowned out by the plans and preparations for the day. Perhaps I felt a little silly at the thought. I cannot say for sure. I don’t think it’s important. What’s important is what happened next. Running water was restored a day after it was cut off!! This was completely out of the ordinary. 

It was very surprising and delightful. We now had more than enough water! As I discussed the incident with my mum, she shared that sometimes prayers do not need to be uttered out loud. God longs to bless us and meet our needs. He knows what we need long before we do. In His grace, He often chooses to meet our needs even before we explicitly ask Him to. At times, our faith in Him, in His ability to help, and more importantly, in His desire to help us is like an unspoken prayer.

Isn’t that just heart-warming. God is good. He is a loving Father who anticipates the needs of His children. He watches over us and moves to help us sometimes even before we know we need His help or think to ask for it. He is incredibly generous and kind. Showing considerate regard for us is in His nature and He delights in doing so. If you have not experienced God in this way, won’t you ask Him to show you? If you have, won’t you remember and reflect on all the goodness He has shown and share it with someone you know. They may be blessed by it.

Love,

God shows up every day, in every situation

It’s a cold and rainy Tuesday but, other than that, it is a day like any other. I woke up later than usual, checked to see if the power failure in my area had been rectified – it had not – then went for my morning jog. Actually, morning walk is more like it because both my legs were hurting today, especially the right one. It hurt from hip to ankle and made jogging very uncomfortable. I hit the road anyway, hoping the exercise would do my legs some good.

Comfort after a nightmare

The reason I woke up late is because I was plagued with very bad waking dreams during the night, if I can call them that. To be honest, I believe it was actually a spiritual attack. At some point, I could not breathe and I was desperately gasping for air. I remember punching the bed beneath me in my struggle to breath. I was awake and very aware but I was very drowsy. Although I should have been terrified, I was not. 

I remember calling on the name of Jesus knowing he would protect and save me, and protect and save me he did! I began to breathe normally again and the nightmare that was plaguing me subsided. The drowsiness and grogginess disappeared and so did the sense of heaviness. I must have prayed before I eventually fell asleep again.  

As I reflected about the incident this morning, I remember thinking, “I should be or should have been more afraid. Why am I so calm about this?” Well, it’s because of the rock on which I stand. Jesus Christ! Don’t get me wrong. It’s not as though I was unbothered. The incident bothered me for sure. However, I asked for comfort. I asked for rest and reassurance. I prayed for protection and help and even before I experienced it, I knew it was already provided. I received and continue to receive all that I asked for.

Relief from pain

As I mentioned, my legs were hurting this morning. They started hurting last night and the pain escalated. I don’t know at what point my legs stopped hurting. When I got back from my walk, they were still hurting. I used my hand-help massager to massage them which helped a bit but the pain did not disappear. I meant to take pain tablets but I forgot to before I left the house to go about my business. One thing I didn’t do was pray for healing or relief from pain like I sometimes do. Yet, I believe God gave me relief from the pain even though I did not ask for it. In his kindness, he took the pain away.

Recovering something lost

So, I got some silver hoop earrings for my birthday in March this year. They’re currently my favourite pair of earrings. I wore them today and, to my dismay, I noticed one was missing from my ear when I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror as I was washing my hands. Before I even started looking for the missing earring, something told me that I would find it. I started looking for it and found nothing. The feeling that I’d find it persisted. I wasn’t feeling dismayed anymore.

I prayed a quick prayer that I’d find it and decided to carry on with what I was doing. I took one last look underneath the table where I’d been sitting and there it was, nestled nicely in the rug beneath my chair. I was grateful, and I was reminded that God is concerned with every aspect of our lives no matter how small and insignificant the issue might seem.

I make a point to reflect on and store incidents like these in my memory bank for those moments when I need a reminder. A reminder of God’s kindness and goodness. A reminder of just how much God is concerned about my life and my wellbeing. Jesus is faithful and will come through for you. That’s a truth worth shouting from the rooftops 😊

Love,

Happy New Year, Everybody

It’s the second day of 2023. I feel a prompting in my soul to ‘write’ but I have no idea what to write about, what to say. A couple of years ago, this time of the year, I took a break. I told myself, “It’s the festive season. You’re tired. You’re grieving. You have a lot to figure out. Take a break.” It was sound advice I gave myself. I did neglect to set a date to get back into writing. And that is how all this time passed without me getting back into regular writing.

This, right here, is an act of obedience to Jesus. An act of obedience even when I have no clarity. To be honest, I don’t see the path but such is life, isn’t it? Often, we don’t see the full picture. In fact, many times, we only have a step. This is my step. I’ve felt a prompting in my soul for some time to write, and the purpose is to glorify Jesus. This is all I know. So, here I am with my proverbial pen and paper writing in obedience and waiting for the next step. 

There’s the temptation to give in to guilt. I should have done this sooner. I should have done better. Should have. Could have. Would have. Yet this isn’t how Jesus speaks to me. This isn’t how he relates to me. He showers me with grace. He corrects and directs me to the opportunities before me. He’s ever-loving and patient, giving me wisdom and insight just when I need it. 

So, I’m learning to do the same with myself and others. I’m learning to shower myself with love and grace even when I miss the mark. I’m leaning into unconditional self-love and patience. I am learning not to hold it against myself when I fall short or miss the mark. I’m excited about what’s ahead. If I’m being honest, I’m also a bit nervous and confused at times. However, I’m mostly excited and very grateful. Thank you, Jesus!

Happy New Year, beloved. Join me as I move onwards and upwards. I’d love the company. Onwards and upwards we go.

Love,

Is it okay to bring your questions to God?

Oxford Languages defines ‘questioning’ as the act of asking someone questions, especially in an official context, and showing an interest in learning new things. I don’t know about you but I find that when you talk about ‘questioning’, generally speaking, the definition that pops into many people’s minds first is ‘expressing doubts about the value or truth of something’. Being an inquisitive person, I’m naturally inclined to ask questions or seek information. I enjoy pondering about many things, the big things and the seemingly insignificant things. Today I got to pondering about asking God questions.

I was chatting to someone close to me earlier and they mentioned they were spending time reading the Bible, reflecting, and asking God questions about what He’s directing them to do with their life. As we chatted, it emerged that like me, they had done this before and received a response. Yet they were asking God the same questions again. I was very encouraged to hear that I’m not the only one who does this. I feel like I have been asking God the same questions over and over for years despite receiving a response for many of these questions. It’s easy to start to feel bad for asking.

Also, this person I was chatting to is a very wise and dedicated Christian who I look up to very much. This reaffirmed how normal and natural questioning is. It told me that no matter how mature I become as a Christian, I will still question and I think that is a good thing. There is nothing inherently wrong with questioning. Questioning serves a purpose and I’ve categorised this into five reasons why we question: searching for an answer, seeking reassurance, asking for confirmation, soliciting strength, and expressing doubt.

Searching for an answer

One of the reasons we ask questions is because we have a need – a need for an answer or for some kind of provision. Jesus’ heart is to provide for us, to answer our deepest needs as well as our minor needs. He said, “Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? ….But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”

Seeking reassurance

Often, when we question God, we are actually looking for encouragement. There are many times where I have prayed and have heard an answer from God. Yet because what God has said has not yet manifested, I might ask the same questions again. Perhaps a new development has happened or something I hadn’t considered suddenly comes to light. Worry and even fear may begin to creep in. Asking the same questions sometimes is a response to that worry or fear that threatens me. As a child running to her dad, I ask him to reassure me and He is more than happy to do so. 

Asking for confirmation

“Did I hear what I think I heard, Jesus?” “Did you really say what I think you said, God?”

“Was that your voice or was that actually my own?” I can’t tell you how many times I have asked these questions in one form or another. This is typically when I first hear a response from God and I want to test or confirm it to make sure, especially if it is surprising or unusual. Questioning, in this instance, serves the purpose of ensuring that we are aligned with God. James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Expressing doubt

This brings me to the issue of doubt or unbelief. Perhaps God has placed something on your heart and you don’t think it can or will happen. One of the things I struggle with, personally, is believing it can happen for me. When we receive God’s counsel or response, we’re told not to doubt but to believe because doubting causes us to drift and be unanchored. We feel troubled, uneasy, and not at peace. However, when you doubt, I think it is important to remember that Jesus does not judge you. Instead, He shows mercy, grace and compassion. Therefore, you must also show yourself mercy, grace and compassion. You can ask God to help you overcome doubt and free you from it and He will.

Soliciting strength

Let’s imagine that God has confirmed something he’s placed on your heart. You have faith, there’s not a shred of doubt in you. You are confident in Christ. Yet when you are going through it all, it starts to feel like it’s too much for you. Sometimes, we might question God, not because we don’t believe or need confirmation or an answer but because we just need strength to stay the course. When you’re in the midst of a difficult situation, it takes a lot of strength to endure. Challenges can test every aspect of you until you’re exhausted or spent and you may start to ask God some tough questions. There were many times in the past when I knew what I needed to do but I thought I didn’t have it in me to do it or to keep going. 

At times, I found myself saying, “It shouldn’t be this difficult if you’re in it, God.” Yet that is exactly the case during those times. I may face so many obstacles and opposition in the course of doing what God has called me to do and they may feel like they’re beyond me. I’ve come to understand that Christ did not promise an easy life. However, he did promise to be with us always and to carry our burdens. In times of difficulty, I have found that I can cry out to God and He rescues me and gives me strength. As a friend of God, you do not have to endure on your own. Jesus gives you the strength to keep going and to overcome. 

What are your thoughts and experiences when it comes to questioning?

Love,

A gift from God and a gift to oneself

I sometimes struggle with forgiveness, more than I care to admit actually. I recently found myself in a space where I needed to forgive myself and it was a real struggle for me. Though I could sense God had already forgiven me, I had all kinds of thoughts about it. I knew to do better and so I thought I should have done better. I also kept getting stuck on how I was to turn it around, make things right. How was I to turn it around 🤔?

Well, because of Jesus, this is something that I didn’t have to worry about or try to figure out or do on my own! If it sounds so simple then that’s because it is that simple. See, Jesus died for us and exchanged his righteousness for our sin, taking on our shortcomings and giving us his right standing with God. That means when I fall short, I don’t have to carry the weight of guilt or shame.

I don’t have to turn it around on my own. I can accept the forgiveness given so freely; I can freely grant forgiveness to others too. I can rely on Christ. This is an area I’m continuing to grow in 🙂 I have noticed that I sometimes still try to rely on my own wisdom, my own ability. For example, I think to myself that I can only forgive or be forgiven when it’s deserved – when amends have been made or remorse has been shown or a change has been demonstrated.

Yet Christ died for us whilst we were still sinners. God does not wait until we’re deserving before he shows us grace and mercy, before he forgives us. It is a gift paid for at a high price and freely given. Be aware that it doesn’t mean we get to squander that gift carelessly though. We don’t act recklessly just because we know we’re already forgiven. It calls for greater responsibility.

Greater responsibility yet it’s a weight off the shoulders. I feel free! I feel renewed! I do not have to carry the burden of guilt and shame. I do not have to rely on my own strength to forgive someone who wrongs me. Do you need forgiveness today? It’s a gift waiting for you to accept. Need to forgive someone? You already have everything you need to do so in Christ. Just ask him and be set free from “un-forgiveness”. 💛🌼

Love,

Be still, oh my soul

With all that’s happening in the world and perhaps in your personal life, it can be so easy to become weary or discouraged or jaded. After a very challenging 2020, you may be feeling emotionally fatigued, overwhelmed, depleted, or grieved. Perhaps you do not even have the words to articulate what you’re feeling.

You do not have to feel that way. You don’t have to carry the burden of life or adulting or your challenges alone. You don’t have to worry. Even in your grieving there is one who is faithful and who promises to walk with you every step of the way. There is one who promises to lift your burdens and bear them for you.

The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.

✝️ Exodus 14:14 (AMP)

That one is Jesus. So be still. Find rest in him. Find freedom in him. Find strength in him. Allow him to meet whatever need you’re facing today. Enjoy your life like Jesus intends you to. He longs for you to be in a state of constant peace and calm and he has the power to give that to you💕🌸!

Love,