What Is Your Favorite?

• Leviticus 19:15 (MSG)

  "Don't pervert justice. Don't show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

What is your favorite color? What is your favorite song? What is your favorite movie? Do you have a favorite food? Do you have a favorites? What is a favorite? According to the world, the definition of favorite is something that is "preferred before all others of the same kind". It is something that you like the most from a group of options. If you have several friends, do you have a favorite? If you have more than one child, do you have a favorite? What about bible verses. What is your favorite?

What if I told you that I can't comprehend favoritism in a traditional way? I honestly don't know what is my favorite color, song, movie, or food. I have always been a lover of rainbows. I love all colors. I especially love multiple colors together whether it's in the clothes I wear, the way I decorate, or the great outdoors in God's creation. I always thought it was so neat if some one had a favorite color that they would have so many things that was their favorite color! How cute, right? There are so many genre's of music I enjoy, how could I pick just one? Movies...same thing. I wouldn't dare tell you that I have a favorite child out of my two girls but I can tell you that they are both my favorite. They know this because I have told them their whole lives.

There have actually been times that I have been a little sad because people say how they have a favorite bible verse. For so long I have waited for "the one" to come out and say "I'M IT!". However, that never happened. I hear the Lord on a regular basis through my reading. Verses stick out to me constantly and for that I am so beyond grateful. But a favorite? Nope. If I don't have all of those other favorites, why should I have this one favorite.  It is very odd to know that I covet the favoritism of a bible verse. Then  I got to thinking...why? Possibly because it's the bible? I love so many verses just like colors. I love them separately and alone. I love how I lean towards some at times, then others at different times. All of them together is my favorite! As a whole, them being together, accentuating each other...that's my favorite. So all in all, I suppose I am lucky girl to have such a grand favorite. All the while I have been looking and it's been literally right under my nose.

Dear Sweet Jesus,

Thank you for the realization that sometimes our answered silent prayers are right under our nose. Thank you for magnificent revelation  Thank you for the fact the I don't have to want what other's have just because they seem so happy. Help me to be content in your presence and the gifts you give to me personally. Teach me to appreciate the multitude of favorites that you have allowed me to enjoy. I pray that  I would only judge on the basis of what is right for myself according to Your Will.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

 

OMGracious Occasion

"But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." Rom 8:25 (NASB)

Speaking of worrying along side of all the prayers....I have been job hunting for about six months. If you have been in an ear shot of me anytime in the last few months let me start by apologizing. I am sorry that I have used more precious and valuable time talking about "needing" to find work than anyone should have to listen to! I have talked more, prayed more and added myself on more prayer lists than I can think of. Now, don't get me wrong, I have tried to keep those prayers aligned with God's will  and not my own. I have prayed things like, "Lord, please open a door that no man can close. Please lead me to where you want me to be. Please help me find a job that is in accordance to what you want for my life, Lord" Honestly, I can say I feel like I have been praying the right things. However, why have I been feeling that God isn't hearing me? or listening? or doing anything? I mean, after all, He sees my stress and financial struggle. Am I really that unqualified that I can't even get people to call me? Okay, this is really frustrating. What am I missing?  

Do you ever have those moments when you feel like you have been slapped in the face but in a good way? Fortunately, I do. Recently, I was slapped. I was slapped with a big ol' PATIENCE reminder. Ah ha! Something that I regularly pray for but lack significantly. What I am missing is patience my friend. 

Was I really naive enough to think that God wasn't listening and had forgotten about me? Doesn't He SPECIFICALLY say that He will walk away from His people, never desert His precious people? (Psalm 94:14) Of course He did! So then why was I pretentiously assuming I was last on His list? Because the enemy lies, that's why. It's a darn good thing that God's word, the truth, is my double edged sword! AMEN!

God has a plan for me for sure. He says so in Jeremiah 29:11. He knows exactly what He is doing and I know I need patience. I don't need to wait on the Lord. I will wait WITH the Lord! I will wait with patience because He asks me to. I will wait with patience specifically because I want what is aligned with His will.

Dearest God, Father of My Heart and Life,
Thank you for proverbial slaps. They are truly appreciated. Thank you also, Lord, that you can and will help us to develop all of the Fruits of the Spirit including patience. Thank you that you are there, listening, hearing and all the while loving. Thank you for my plan, that is your will,  that is already writtenThank you for YOUR patience with me, Lord. Your mercy really does sustain me. I'm beyond blessed to know you. In Your Precious Name...Amen. 

Lean on me....when you're not strong...and even when you are

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Phil 4:6

Can we all admit, at some point in time, that this is so much easier said than done? We are human, we worry. That is plain and simple. However, by this verse we see that this does not always have to be the case. Really and truly never has to be the case. God does not want it to be the case. His Word says so in this very verse. He wants us to come to Him at all times. It doesn't matter how big or small and regardless of the level of importance. He wants us to come to Him about everything. Everything. That sure seems pretty relieving to me. It sure lifts a weight off me. We don't have to feel like we are bothering the Lord with our concerns. He already knows them anyway. It is important that we commune with Him in this way. After all, isn't that what builds relationships? Why wouldn't we want to continue to build that with Jesus. He is always willing and ready for us. He is right there waiting and it doesn't matter how early or late in the day it is. He is waiting. Jesus wants us to lean on Him!

Although we understand and know this to be true, it is sometimes very hard to apply this to our every day life. Sometimes it is as thought life moves so fast that we are worrying before we even realize we are worrying! Then, low and behold, we may even begin to worry about our worry! Know that is not what the Lord has intended. He places moments just like these on our hearts so we can stop right then and there and begin immediate prayer. You may be in the line at the grocery store, a dressing room, waking up, going to sleep, or in the middle of a circus. But He is always there to nudge us a little just to let us know that He is there...waiting...to come to Him...talk to Him. The good news is, not only does He want to talk to us, He wants us to bring it all to the table, lay it out there, and then give it all to Him. ALL of it. Every single bit of it. Not some. Not a tiny portion. He wants everything. He doesn't want you to take it back either. Sometimes though, we do. What is the next step you ask? Give it right back to Him. You might even pray that He will show you how to give it to Him completely for good. God doesn't want you to be weighted down with things that you can't bear alone. He wants you to be free and carry those burdens for you. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't do your part in correcting the issue at hand. But it is only through prayer and His grace that He will show you how to manage that and do your part. Isn't that refreshing? Isn't that a huge relief? Let's praise Him and thank Him for that! It is great to know that we don't have to do this thing called life all alone! Praise be to God!

Dear Sweet Jesus, Your grace is sufficient for me. You said that your yoke is easy and your burden in light. Thank you for not allowing me to walk in the valleys alone. Thank you, Lord, that you are there for me all hours of the day and night. Father, I ask that you help me to release all my burdens, all my worries to you completely and finally. Help me sweet Lord to wholly trust you with my everything knowing that you will lead and guide me to results in alliance with your will. Thank your for your endless love and compassion no matter where I am. In Jesus' name, Amen!