On Wednesday mornings, I am the back-up phone answerer (pretty lame title), along with performing my other job requirements, at the church. This basically means if the receptionist has to go to the restroom or check the mail, I answer the phone for her.
While she was away from her desk today, I got a phone call. The woman on the other end had a very thick Cajun accent, and I could barely understand her.
She says, “You can give me a Scripture?” (That’s a question, not a statement.)
I say, “Who did you want to speak to?”
She says again, “You can give me a Scripture?”
I’m thinking … HUH? A Scripture about what?
Then, here goes my mind again … Does this woman want me to pull some random Scripture out of the air that applies to her life? Is she longing for that perfect answer from the Lord? Is it up to me to help this woman through a desperate time and I don’t have a clue of what God wants me to say?
I start silently praying … “God, help me. What do you want me to speak to this woman? Are you testing me here?” I mean, my mind is BLANK. I couldn’t quote any Scripture at that very moment. It was like somebody asking me … “So, what’s God been speaking to you lately? How’s your walk with the Lord?” You know, that SPIRITUAL SPOTLIGHT shining on you.
Well, turns out, after I got through interpreting what the woman was trying to say, she just wanted a Scripture about marriage to put on an anniversary cake she was making. PHEW! OK, I can do that.
The phone call, although a very minor incident of the day, ended up speaking volumes to me.
I heard this: “So, MAMA BELLE (actually God doesn’t call me by that name, but you know …), what am I speaking to you?”
Here it goes, in simple form:
1. SHUT UP! Actually God’s been saying this to me for a long time, but I can’t ever get it through my head. It would be great if we could take words back after they’ve been said.
2. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. I’m such a minor part of a very big picture, and I’m God’s servant to do with as He pleases. Keep the big picture in mind and don’t worry about life’s circumstances.
3. THE GIRLS HAVE TO COME TO ME ON THEIR OWN. I’ve been praying that God would not allow me to be a hindrance to my girls’ walk with Him, that they would see past all my faults and truly know the love He has for them, that I would not be the one that would make them not want to serve God. This has been a struggle for me. I really want to be that perfect parent, but that doesn’t seem to be working out for me.
4. JUST TRUST AND BE OK WITH NOT KNOWING ALL THE ANSWERS. I don’t have to know everything, but God says to simply trust in His character to lead me through any situation.
5. THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO OR NOT DO TO MAKE ME LOVE YOU ANY LESS. My Martha-syndrome kicks in a lot and I can become very works-based. God has really taught me lately to choose the better part. The house can wait.
6. I DON’T REMEMBER THAT. Sometimes the things of the past, even though forgiven, still come up. But, thank God … He still comforts me and assures me that He loves me. He still walks me through the pain.
7. TRUST, TRUST, TRUST!! While people always, and I mean always, (not intentionally), let you down, God won’t. This one’s hard for me.
8. OBEY, OBEY, OBEY!! Pray for God’s will and desires. And when He opens a door, walk through it, no matter how uncomfortable. He’ll walk you through. Ya’ll … this one’s really hard, too.
9. YOUR FEAR OF ME SHOULD BE GREATER THAN YOUR FEAR OF MAN. Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. Do what I say.
10. LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. Stop ignoring me and doing what you want to do. I’m the One that’s supposed to lead, guide, and help you.
I love that song. And I loved your post. All of those things are a bit familiar.
thanks.
neat post! lots to think about! love seeing God working in your heart…
thanks for sharing!
I could insert “Sarah” in all of those…right there with ya BFF.
Oh man. I’ve just been so angry this past week. And I know that I shouldn’t be. And today, God has been telling me to trust Him, to just be still and know that He is God and that He is in control and that He knows what I don’t know.
It’s so hard. But I needed to read this tonight. So thank you!
I think a very fitting scripture for this whole post is “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 *sigh, I just love that one. It fills my heart with peace every time I think of it…. I have the hardest time actually doing it though, guess I’m not alone.
Love your blog, by the way!
What an encouraging post for me… to know that others struggle as well. Thanks for such personal thoughts. I needed them today.
You are so on target for me! I need to do everything you wrote about. Thanks for the post and frankness!
So right there with ya! Oh how I love the way God gets our attention (laughed at your expectant caller. At first I thought she was wanting you to read her mind or something).
Oh, btw- I am very honored to have been added to THE Mama Belle’s blog roll. 🙂
What an excellent post!! All those things you listed are so good.
Oooh, this is good. 2 and 4 are the big ones for me. So simple, yet sometimes so hard to remember.
these was a really good post.marina
Thanks again for reminding me of HOW MUCH WORK I need to get done! 🙂 Seriously loved your post though…and there have been many times that I have offended other people on the other line because I couldn’t understand them…that was when I was working reservations for an airline!
Thanks for sharing your list – he must be talking to us at the same time…
Oh, how this post spoke to me. Thanks for all the wonderful reminders. I especially needed the “Martha” reminder tonight.
I do a weekly meme called “Seek The Lord Sunday”. I would love it if you would participate…you seem so insightful 🙂
You can find more info in my left sidebar if you’re interested.
Thanks again for the awesome post 🙂
Daiquiri,
Thanks for the invite. I’ll have to check you out.
The question reminds me of “I can haz cheezburger now?” stuff.