Devotionals

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At seventeen, I was certain I would die of a broken heart. I looked forward to going Christmas caroling with my church youth group, especially to be with a certain young man, who was home from college for Christmas break. As I look back now, I was ridiculously inconsolable throughout the evening, because he didn't come. I ruined for myself and those around me what should have been a wonderful time of singing of the wonder of our Savior’s birth. Later, as I sat alone in my bedroom crying, I opened my Bible randomly, and THE LORD directed my attention to Psalms 27:14. “Wait on THE LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on THE LORD.” My tears of anguish turned to tears of joy as the verse spoke to my heart that night. I felt as if THE LORD wrapped HIS arms of love around me, as a sympathetic parent would comfort a distressed child. (This verse has become my life verse as a constant reminder, GOD’s timing is always best!) My love for THE LORD reached a new dimension as I sensed HIS care for me. HE met me where I was in my disappointment, loneliness, and spiritual immaturity. HE gave me peace and comfort and a promise of future blessing if I “wait on” HIM. I waited for HIS timing to be right, and HIS promise to me was fulfilled four years later. HE brought an extraordinary, caring, Christian man into my life. That man, God’s choice for me, is my husband and has been my best earthly friend for over thirty-two years.

About ten years ago at a Ladies’ Bible Study, the topic of discussion, “THE LORD Meets You Where You Are”, focused on the life of Hagar, the servant of Sarah.

Things couldn’t have gotten worse for her as Hagar sat in the wilderness frightened, weary, and thirsty, awaiting sure death for her and her son. She lifted up her voice and wept. “GOD heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of GOD called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her. What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not; for GOD hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.” (Genesis 21:17) GOD met her where she was and opened her eyes to the well of water nearby. HE gave her hope and faith to believe HIS promise, to make her son a great nation.

In numerous situations, THE LORD met me where I was and provided what I needed at precisely the right time. One particular set of circumstances, resulting in overwhelming financial difficulty, convinced me; HE is not limited by my personal perception of pressing needs. I reasoned that the response to my urgent prayer had to be one of two choices. GOD surprised me by answering in a completely different way, a solution I had not even thought possible. HE revealed to me anew, beyond doubt, HIS great love, wisdom, and promise of provision for my every need.

I remember a similar incident years later. I have forgotten the reasons for my heavy heart, but it seemed many things were swirling around in my puzzled mind. I was trying desperately to understand some difficult events in my life at the time. I remember sitting in a Sunday school class one Sunday. I have forgotten the exact concepts the teacher was expounding that day. I do remember him asking us to think of familiar scriptures to apply in troubling times. As I turned the pages of my Bible, Proverbs 3:5 immediately came to mind...a verse I likely read hundreds of times. As I sat reading it again, the second half of the verse leaped off the page of my Bible with sudden new clarity for me. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in THE LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”. I thought, “yes LORD, my part is not to struggle to understand these problems in my life right now, but to TRUST YOU completely.” I know GOD is leading me step by step, I rationalized, but the pathway seemed to curve in a direction I found very hard to accept. Again, I sensed the loving arms of the Heavenly Father surround me. My submission to and joyful acceptance of HIS will, regardless of my limited understanding, was the key to the peace I longed to experience. As I recall, in HIS perfect wisdom and timing, all those difficulties were resolved. I will always remember HIS faithfulness.

I enjoy writing poetry for holidays or other special occasions. Frequently these rhymes are used to design personal greeting cards or in notes of encouragement and appreciation to friends and family. My most recent venture is to develop proficiency in writing prose. I must admit, though, I lack confidence in this new endeavor. What began as an experiment, has turned into a challenge. Sometimes my thoughts and typed words flow freely, but when writer's block occurs, I perceive the need to evaluate: Where am I in my walk with GOD? Am I somewhere out in the wilderness? In the wasteland of discouragement, THE LORD met me many times and opened my eyes to the well of HIS faithful provision. Just as HE heard the “voice of the lad” from under the shrub, I know HE hears my plea from beneath a pile of crumpled, discarded composition pages. I know I can count on HIM to show me the way, as long as I am in fellowship with HIM. I desire to write what HE puts into my heart, giving all the glory to HIM. By HIS grace, I hope to continue to write, without compromise or apology, the convictions of my heart, whether in poetry or prose. I humbly request fresh ink to flow from HIS hand to mine. My earnest prayer is for GOD to use my efforts to praise HIM, as a fountain of blessing and refreshment to others.

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