Waiting . . . . It's A Good Thing

God has been speaking to my heart within the last six weeks (in response of a prayer), "Wait.  Your prayers have been answered, but they have been delayed."

This confused me.  I had never heard of such, but, at the time it didn't confuse me enough to search for answers.

I quickly forgot about it until last week, out of the blue, I was taking a friend to do some errands and she mentioned how God sent an angel to Daniel to tell him God has heard and answered his prayers, but that 'he' had been "detained by powers of darkness" (as one commentary put it).

I couldn't believe it!  I did a double take and tried sputtering out, "What?  What?  What?  I've never heard of that you gotta repeat and say it slower!"  lol

She was talking about the very thing God had already put on my heart weeks prior!

It is amazing how the Lord always gives a scripture when He is confirming movement.  This time, it is out of Daniel 9 and 10.

This morning, Christopher wanted to watch FireProof.  While watching, the song, "While I'm Waiting" was playing.

Once again, reminding me that my prayers have already been heard and answered, but they have been delayed.

Kind of gives me the umph needed to "get through," knowing those prayers are important enough that satan thinks he needs to delay them.

Waiting is hard.  It is painful.  It can be discouraging.  And quite frankly, I have no clue which prayer the Lord is referring to, but it doesn't matter.

He's got my back, and I'm thankful for that!

:)

Those Darn Impurities!

Throughout the day today, this blog post has come to mind.  

It is from 2009.  

I can rarely remember what I did yesterday, moreless four years ago, but as I read, I remembered.  

The reason this particular post has penetrated my heart, is because today, four years after having surgery to remove two molars, bone fragments starting piercing through the gum line.  

This happened for several months following the surgery, and I was told to expect it.

The process is painful.  

It stinks from infection.  

But it is necessary.  

Boy was I thankful when the fragments came out!

Then it dawned on me, isn't that how it is in the Christ-centered life?  

Sometimes it is painful.  

Sometimes it down right stinks.  

But, (and I love the word but), it is necessary to turn me into the person Lord wants me to be . . . . for His glory.  

And yes, there is a new thankfulness once we've walked through the pruning process!

I am not sure what you are carrying tonight, or what impurities the Lord is trying to work on, but just as He reminded me this evening, it is for the good of the Kingdom.  

Another thought, just because "we" think the Lord has finished working in a particular area, doesn't mean "He" is.  

Refining is a process.  

I came across this story, and after re-reading it (and smiling), sensed I was to share it.


And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  Malachi 3:3

While reading Malachi chapter 3, a group of women in a Bible study came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." 

One woman spoke up and said the verse was intended to convey the sanctifying influence of the grace of God. Then she said she would visit a silversmith and report to the other women what he said on the subject.

She went accordingly and, without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which the smith described to her. 

"But, sir," she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" 

"Oh, yes, ma'am," replied the silversmith. "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." 

The woman at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." 

God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace: His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random: "the very hairs of your head are all numbered." 

As the woman was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way to know when the purifying process is complete is . . . 

 . . .when he can see his own image reflected in the silver.

Author Unknown

He will see us through.

He is making us more into His image.

And I like that.

The Never-Ending Bottle

You know the story in the Bible where Jesus fed 5,000? In case you don't, here it is.

Matthew 14:13-18 (NIV)

When Jesus heard what had happened (John the Baptist was beheaded), he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”  Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”  “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.  “Bring them here to me,” he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

My favorite part of this story is not about the actual feeding; (which by the way is MUCH more than 5,000.  The actual counted were the men, not the women and children), but that ALL ate.  ALL were satisfied. AND there were TWELVE basketFULS of food left over!

For days now I have reflected on this miracle that was given to us through scripture.

The reason.

The never ending shampoo bottle that is in my shower.

Just over three months ago, I bought a larger bottle of shampoo with a pump because it was on sale and cheaper to buy that vs however many bottles of .99 shampoo would have cost to equal the same amount.

I wash my hair just about every day, but lets say 5 days a week out of 7, just to be fair.  When I wash my hair, it is washed twice.  My daughter washes her hair 3 to 5 days a week and my son, 2 to 4, pending if he played in the mud or not. 

That is approximately (and on the low side) 204 hair washes in just over three months.  

This might seem like nothing to you; but it is huge for me.  

God is meeting the needs of our family by stretching out what we already have.

I believe there are instances like these all around me (and you) where God is providing and meeting our day to day needs.

I hope He reveals your blessings of provisions to you this day!

Stacey