Friday, October 9, 2009

OUR ACTIONS MATTER

Someone mentioned a few days ago, something about "routine prayer". It caught my attention because I never think in those terms, "routine prayer." However, the message she was trying to convey was that God answers even the smallest prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, James 5:16. I am reminded every day how powerful prayer is. I am always surprised when people say to me "the only thing I can do is pray." Are you kidding? That's the best thing you can do.
There are times I sit quietly and wait for God to speak to my heart. When I don't hear anything, I wonder, where are you Lord? Has that happened to you? Again I am reminded, be patient. It is usually during those times when my mind is wandering, I'm already thinking and trying to plan my day ahead. I'm impatient and I want the Lord to act now. He doesn't work that way. It is then, I remind myself to get on my knees. To give Him all the glory and thank Him for all He has done for me. It is also at that time I ask for forgiveness. I guess, I'm still human. I make mistakes, in fact lots of them everyday. I'm short with the person ahead of me in traffic who isn't paying attention to the traffic light. They appear to be on the phone or texting. After all I'm in a hurry. Or not being patient with the person in line ahead of me who keeps talking to the clerk, slowing her down. It is then I am reminded to slow myself down. Did the Lord place those people in my life to remind me? To teach me a small lesson?
I have an on going dialogue with the Lord. He is my everything. My Alpha and Omega.
May you find the peace in your heart that comes from loving Jesus, forgiving your fellow man (or woman) in the line ahead of you. And remembering to pray.

3 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm a talker. Always have been. My mother teased me as far back as 2 yrs old about talking too much.

You know I've had personal loss. I bring it up because often it is a crisis that brings us closer to God. I've always had a relationship with Him, but I've noticed in the past few years that I've stopped talking as much. I'm learning to be still. I'm sensing more. More God. More Peace. More Blessings. I'm not sure, but I'm here to say there's something special about being still and prepared for the Word.

I hope that's on my epitaph. Joylene started off yapping, but learned to stop thinking and to just be with God. She died a peaceful and contented soul.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy, you alway leave me thinking and most times with a smile on my face. Now I know why we're friends. It wasn't just my mother, but my grandmother, my aunts, my sister, my brother-in-law and my husband who think I talk too much. So you know those still quiet moments when I am alone with God, HE is saying, okay Katt, now its my turn to talk.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

haha, I know exactly what you mean, Katt!