When God speaks, we had better be listening. A couple of months ago the Lord laid someone on my heart. I thought of them all week and wondered what was going on, but didn't take the time to follow up. Come to find out, this person had made a decision that took him down a different path...a path that makes me really sad. The Lord had called me to pray for him and I had dropped the ball. I realize God can and will still work in his life, but He was offering me the opportunity to be involved in what He was doing. I really missed the boat.
Fast forward to this past week. The Lord laid someone on my heart that I really don't even know. Having hopefully learned my lesson last time, I prayed for her and her family. I made time to call and leave her a message to let her know I was thinking of her. Seeing her in church this morning, I asked her how she was doing. Through her tears, she told me her husband was diagnosed with cancer this week. I didn't know, but God did. He wanted her to know He was thinking of her during her dark hour. I cried and prayed with her and walked away humbled and thankful. Humbled that the Lord would use me in someone's life. Thankful that this time I listened.
In the midst of our busy lives, it is so easy to not recognize or act on what the Lord is calling us to do. How often do we pray, "Lord, use me!" and then walk right past the open door He provides? I am so thankful He doesn't give up on me when I fail, but gives me a second (and a third and a fourth...) opportunity to serve Him.
Lord, thank you for using us to accomplish Your work here on earth. Help us to not be so busy that we fail to hear Your voice or act on what you are calling us to do. Give us Your eyes to see, Your ears to hear and Your heart to understand.
I have been guilty of being too busy to follow God's promptings in my life as well, but what an awesome testimony you share! It feels great when we do what God leads us to do and I have been thinking of that and other related things in the past few days myself. How many times God has led me to teachings, seminars, etc., with the info I need to lead a more successful Christian walk, yet I don't put into practice the things I learn and then wonder why I am not being as victorious as I ought to be. This is my ponderings at the moment and your testimony of how you obeyed God's leading has encouraged me. Thanks so much for sharing!
How awesome that you were able to encourage and bless that woman...may we all have ears to hear the Holy Spirit's promptings and may we not delay in obedience to his voice.
Praying for hearing ears and a willing heart for both of us.
thanks for sharing- my hearts cry for this year was to see 5 people come to know Christ, lately I have been asking the Holy Spirit why I haven't seen any harvest, I asked HIm if I was walking in disobedience...truly 5 isn't a BIG number to Him, and truly if he wanted me to lead 50 others to Christ, He knows I would. I am wondering now if I missed opportunities or what, still seeking him on it.
Thanks for coming over and meeting us...I love new friends!
When God nudges we do need to listen and follow through with what He is asking us to do. Always stopping to do or finish what I think is important can wait, the Lord always works it all out in the end. God is so good, I am always thankful for the times He has led someone to pray or call me.
Oh wow, how many times in my life has that happened? And how blessed we are that God would choose to use us through prayer in what He wants to do here on earth. Great post.
Sep. 17, 2007 - Adding your blog to my favorites list
Posted by Sandy B.
I would like to add you to my blog as a favorite. I tried using the web address shown when on your site but it comes up page not shown or to what appears to be a home page for homeschool.blogger.com is there another site address I can use? You can contact me at http://quillcottage.blogspot.com
Thank you for writing about this. The Lord has laid someone on my heart and your blog has encouraged me to follow up on that. Thank you for being faithful to report what the Lord is doing in your life.
Tara
Thank you for sending me your blog address, I reentered it and it works fine now and thank you for your kind comments as well as allowing me to pass on your inspriration to others.
I noticed a comment you left on my friend Meredith's blog, because last year I moved to Arkansas from Idaho, and I miss fall too!! Even though Arkansas is really home, we were in Lewiston and Moscow for 12 years total.
I appreciated your post about being sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I had been praying for a man with cancer, and thought that I should send him a card to let him know, and before I did, he died. I hope I always remember that, and act on those promptings.
Please visit me at www.kecia-walkingbyfaith.blogspot.com
I'd love some input on deciding whether or not to homeschool.
:)
Kecia
As always, God uses your posts to challenge, encourage, and spur me on. Thank you for sharing your heart and those things that God is teaching you, dear one.
Wonderful post. I will definitely be listening for the Lord's lead on praying for others and letting them know the Lord laid them on my heart.
Did you get my phone message?
Hugs,
Julie D.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
