Find Faith, Hope, and Encouragement for Your Walk with God

I looked across at the audience as I sat in their midst running through my speech in my head. I had been asked to speak about how you can control the chaos and prioritize the things that matter most. It is the question I get asked more than anything else-”How do I do it all.” The prepared answer is that I have amazing support, that I can be efficient by focusing and making lists. The truth is, I don’t do it all. I had these wonderful seven points I planned to share, things I have learned through the years. The problem? I didn’t think this was an audience that would care at all about prioritizing things or controlling the chaos. Most of us were in a very different phase of life-who was I to give wisdom to those that I usually pull wisdom from? I began to doubt all that I had prepared, and then I remembered. I had prayed over these words. I had prayed while preparing that God give me the right words to speak. I had prayed that this engagement further His purpose, not mine. So, I got up to speak. I didn’t change any words or any plan regardless of my opinion. These were not my words, these were the words God directed me to speak-trust and obey. “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV). His words, not mine. His purpose, not mine.

As I sit reflecting on the day, I can’t help but recognize that it was a good day. There wasn’t anything special, in fact, it was the simplest of days. It started with amazing photos shared of a beautiful sunrise, snuggles with one of the girls as we denied the change in time, and shopping with my girls and watching their joy as they found the special things just for them. Sunday family dinners are back with game night filled with laughter and our new house is truly feeling like a home. Like I said, nothing special, but in a way, it was all special. I made a speech yesterday and I shared that you need to identify your non negotiable. You need to prioritize the things that matter most to you and that is how you find your balance. Today, I found that balance. It was easy to prioritize family time and rest and it filled my cup like nothing else. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, KJV)

I have shared in the past the unique nature of our faith that we celebrate the trials and tribulations in life as they bring us closer to God. I don’t know about you, but I can think back on my life and when I am most prayerful. It is always when I am on my knees and needing God the most. Those are the times when I feel like all else is lost and I am powerless without Him. In times of plenty, prayers of thanks never seem to come from my heart as much as the prayers in pain and suffering. It is in those times that I find myself closest to God. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:2 and 12, NIV)