The Blessings of Listening

Last week I blogged about listening for God's voice. I admitted to my own inabilities to hear Him as often as I should because of so many distractions. But, on another note, I'd like to share with you some of the times when I did listen and how it paid off.

There were the times when I was hurt because of what someone said or did. And, hurt turned into frustration. So, I thought, I'll state my case in a nice lengthy email. I made sure that my words were only tainted a tad bit with my angst. I felt my words were kind and made my point. "Good job", I thought. Then, when I was ready to hit the "send" button, I stopped short. I heard a whisper in my heart, "Don't send it." Then I thought to myself, "I haven’t talked to God about this yet, have I?" I paused, sat back in my chair and prayed over the little email I was about to launch. That prayer nudged me to sleep on it. I did. Next morning, I realized that no matter how savory my words were, they could be misconstrued and it just wouldn't be worth the confrontation. I realized the same Holy Spirit Who nudged me to sleep on it, is the same Holy Spirit that lives in my friend.

We've all heard the saying, "Sleep on it. Give it fresh eyes in the morning." Good advice. I know that routine because that's what I do each day after I've typed my blog. Since I always make sure my blog goes live by 6 am every day, I sleep on it and with those fresh eyes I scan it and invariably, I'll see a grammatical error or a sentence that isn't needed or it's just way too long and so I edit something out that wasn't necessary. I like to think it's not just my eyes that scans it, but Holy Spirit scans it with me -- for me! Those little edits are heaven-sent. I just know it.

I've learned my lessons well because there were times when I sensed/heard God whisper and ignored it. The still small voice—the warning. I know that it's so much more than my conscience speaking. Well, in fact, I know that my conscience holds hands with the Holy Spirit, so I've come to welcome those warnings. Because, there were times when I didn't act on those warnings, and it is just not worth the misery it caused.

Today, I count on that voice that causes me to take a little longer before I send a text message, an email, or even speak my mind. I'm taking my time to consider the outcome if I said this or that. I'd like to say I've conquered the hastily-spoken words and said something that seemed so innocent, but in the ears of someone else, were taken the wrong way.

Here's what I know for sure. God doesn’t speak to hear His own voice. No, He lovingly will use whatever it takes to protect us from our own undoing. His voice is not only one of correction but a voice of protection. I've learned to discern His voice better AND I'm remembering to ask for it.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3) Listen and obey. Simple as that. And when it comes to emails, text messages or real life interaction, I ask myself daily: "Will these words simply make a point or am I using my words to point to Christ?"

Be careful little mind what you think….because thoughts lead to actions and actions can sure get us into “quick sand” of regret! Please save us, Lord, from ourselves. Keep us tight with You – so tight – that we imitate You in our thoughts AND our actions!"

It’s a Computer Miracle!!!

Knowing we were heading out the next day for Beaver’s Bend, OK for a family fishing trip, I knew I had to write/type my daily posts in advance. Thus, this Hoot Suite-driven post today! Aww! Gotta’ love this world of technology that solves so many timing issues. I type the post and Hoot Suite provides the scheduling and posting for me when I’m out of wifi range! And we are! Beaver’s Bend is in a bowl that prevents a good wifi connection so you have to go for miles if you absolutely need one. My mind will be on fishing – not on driving for a connection. So, hopefully, this one is coming through loud and clear.

Back to my “computer miracle”! There’s a lot to be done in preparation for a fishing trip. Getting all the fishing gear together: getting the rods all together, restring reels with new line, getting all the bait and tackle organized and ready to go, planning the meals, buying the food, cooking some of the food (cookies, cake, lasagna, etc.), and gathering all the kitchen and food items (these cabins are great, but supplies are needed). Then there’s getting our fishing clothes, hats, camp chairs, weiner/marshmallow wires, bug spray, etc. together. It’s worth it all for the family fun that awaits us. So my plate was full and of most importance to me, is getting my blog/facebook posts ready to go for the next several days.

At about 7 pm on Sunday, I sat down to start working on my posts, when all of a sudden; my laptop’s touchpad and cursor became completely frozen and inoperable. Rather than panicking, I began to call on God for “HELP!” and then go through the normal routine, do a power reset….several times – nothing. I called my son and asked if he had a stand-alone keyboard or USB mouse – nada! I opened my Chrome Notebook and proceeded to google support help and everything that was recommended, I tried it, but it failed to work. At 1 am, I went to bed, thinking “I’ll take my computer in somewhere in the morning or get a USB mouse for a temporary help.” But I was also thinking “My day is so full already besides needing to create posts (which typically take me one to two hours each) and needing to bake and gather things together, how am I going to do it all?” I prayed my mind be at peace so I could sleep for a few hours. And, I did sleep well until my usual 5 am – up and at ‘em!

Next morning, Monday, I went into my office, and was hoping and praying that an overnight miracle would have taken place, but, no, my computer was still frozen. I thought I’d try my Google Chrome search one more time, and immediately there was a YouTube video that said “mouse pad light fix” on my screen. I clicked and watched the video which offered a simple solution “Fn + spacebar” and whoa-la, touchpad AND cursor were SET FREE and so was I. I couldn’t help it! I had a hallelujah hoedown. I cried and praised and gave God the thanksgiving He deserved. Was it a coincidence or was it the favor of God or was it divine intervention? Maybe all of the above.

Isn't it amazing how much God cares about even the smallest desires of our hearts? Yes, there are those times when we look up to heaven and say, "Thanks, God. I know you did that!" It is truly a miracle that the God of the universe surrounds our tiny, little lives with His loving care. Maybe we should look for the miracles of answered prayers and desires of our hearts. It's not always big and showy, but it is no less a miracle when the God of the universe shows up to kids who just happen to have a computer problem!
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3.

Call to Me and I Will Answer You

When my sweet Mom was alive, I made it a habit to check on her everyday. I'd call her or go by to see her, and if I couldn't find her, I'd check with her neighbors. Mom was a gad-about in her Senior Living apartment complex -- in and out of neigbors' apartments. She was so loved by everyone, and usually if I called one of those neighbors, she was there or they knew where she was.

My sister-in-law and my 93-year old mother-in-law have a similar relationship. Because Karen and George work their business out of Mom's home, their daily visits are routine. Still, Mom calls and signs off with Karen each night, and she either calls Karen or Karen calls her in the mornings.

Last week I was at a leadership meeting that I attend every Monday for several hours. Mom called me during that time and because my phone was on silent, I didn't answer. She had forgotten about the meeting. After trying several times to unsuccessfully get me, she proceeded to call my daughter, Staci. Staci reassured her that I was probably at a meeting. Since Granny had never called her, looking for me like that before, she became concerned so she tried to find me....calling many times. Eventually, I answered my phone. Staci explained the "manhunt", but her hero, Larry, had checked Facebook and saw that I had made my daily post that morning and reassured her that I must be okay. Staci replied, "That doesn't mean she's okay. Sometimes she puts her posts on an automatic timer (I only do that when I'm out of the country away from wifi). He said, "No, she's been commenting on other people's posts. She's okay."

I was quite amused at this scenario. First, that my mother-in-law was checking up on me and, only after a few hours, "the hunt" ensued. But, alas, Facebook gave them all consolation.

I'll do better at checking in with "central station" daily. After all, I'm getting to that "mature" age when "heaven" just may have called my number. LOL! But, since "heaven" doesn't do Facebook, if you're missing me....just call out my name, and you'll probably find me on FACEBOOK!

Isn't it so great that God is so much easier to find than we are? I'm so glad that finding Him isn't a matter of a phone call, text message or Facebook. He's with us right HERE, right now. And, if we take the time to listen.....He'll even let us know He's right HERE, right now, if we'll just listen for His sweet, tender and loving voice.

"Call to me and I will answer you....." Jeremiah 33:3

Who Responds to Your Voice?

My son and family received an "Echo" as a gift from one of their closest friends, David and Danielle Limp. David is Senior Vice President of Devices at Amazon. He oversees the development of everything from the Kindle to Fire phone to the Echo device. This last Christmas, Ryan and Shawntel gave Staci and family an Echo. Now both my families have this new technology in their homes.

Echo is a 9.25-inch tall cylinder speaker. By the way, her name is Alexa, and she is a hands-free, voice response system that is always connected and ready to respond to her name....and she's fast. You don't have to be as close as this little girl is in the photo -- you can be across the room. You just say "Alexa" (and give her a command or request and she'll play audiobooks, give your upcoming schedule, dim a light switch, turn on a fan, add to your shopping list, tell you who the 30th president of the U.S. is and can answer just about any question you may have. She'll tell you sports' scores, the news, weather, Wikipedia facts, definitions, answers. She's an alarm and a timer. But, for Alexa to respond.....you have to call out her name.

How many times do we call out our kids' names to come into the house, or take a bath, or do their homework or empty the dishwasher? Oh, that their voice response system was a responsive as Alexa.

And there's the cell phone commercial where the guy is moving about trying to get a clear connection and he says "Can you hear me now?"

I can assure you of ONE far above any other name who does respond when we call on Him. The airways are clear -- no interference. God truly loves those that are His. He loves you and me! Listen to what He says for those who call upon Him:

Psalm 50:15 “and CALL ON ME in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 91:14-15 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will CALL ON ME, and I will answer him;

Jeremiah 33:3 “CALL TO ME and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

#CallOnMe #HeAnswers

GOD WITH US.....All the Time

God is always with us and we often take it for granted. The Creator of you and me, and everything that was and is and is to come -- is with us. Have you had moments when you sensed Him so close? Maybe it was while you were praying or singing a song or holding a newborn baby or felt Him in a warm breeze?

Of course, there are those obvious times of sensing His presence when we have a healing take place after we were given a negative diagnosis, or our child was healed, a surprise financial windfall, or a new job that was better than we could have imagined. Then there are the unexpected blessings that we acknowledge God's hand in it, like a speech or work presentation that's unexpectedly well received, a new nutrition product that caused healing in our body, the "free" tire change, the unexpected check in the mail, the word from a friend that says "Your post today was exactly what I needed" or the book that your neighbor gave you that opened your mind to a new and better way of doing something. These are all personal stories where I knew it was God -- every time.

In all of those times, God is with us. In our Life Group, we've been talking a lot about "God in the ordinary, everyday occurrences of our lives". So much so, I encouraged the ladies to get journals to start writing down those things, those divine appointments and happenings that take place throughout the week. We talked about how God seems to be amping up His presence by all kinds of signs and wonders. It has been commonplace for us to talk about the God encounters we had during the week. Now, we're taking note of it in our journals. Doing that -- there's no way to take God for granted.

Yesterday, one of our gals sent this photo to me. It was the answer to what we've been sensing -- God being very present with us -- desiring to be real to us in our everyday facets of life. "Call to ME, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know!" Jeremiah 33:3.

Does that sound like someone who wants to withhold from His kids? NOT! It sounds like a Father who wants to give His kids those ideas, witty inventions, innovations, discernment, creativity, wisdom, knowledge and all kinds of exciting things that can rock our world. We call on Him (we acknowledge Him) and He WILL answer us AND show us GREAT and MIGHTY things we DID NOT KNOW. Just a little photo by a friend, awakened me to the possibilities that come from knowing GOD IS WITH US.

Oh, and how significant for me as I saw that grain of wheat in the photo. It was one of those "Donna, just call on Me" moments, after all that photo had my name in it -- Donna WHEAT Wuerch. When I CALL TO HIM, He calls out to me. He is WITH us and He is FOR us.

This is the Way I Start My Day

Day 24 of Photo Inspirations:  “Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I pray to you. I wait for you in hope.” Psalm 5:3

This is the way I start my day.  One of the things I love about the chilly winter weather are my mornings before the fireplace, nestled in a blanket and spending time with my CEO and Father.   It's our secret place, just Him and me.  That's where I get "inside" information from Him that keeps me above the fray in my day.

But, I'll admit, my mind wanders and it's easy to get distracted there, too.  I have to keep reeling myself back in -- the duties and responsibilities of my day (my "to do" lists) try to invade this privacy.   But the point is, I'm sitting in the very presence of my CEO and Father.  He deserves my undivided attention.   Although my eyes cannot visibly see Him, I picture Him being here, bending close to hear my every word and know my every thought.  I sense Him holding my face and lifting it heavenward.  He cradles me in His arms.  I'll admit it's difficult to fathom that the God of the universe, who holds the entire world in His hands, has time to hear my little prayers. But not only does He have the time, He calls us to come to Him. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”.

I know  many of you whose day starts with a bang and you have to hit the ground running -- breakfasts to make, kids to get off to school, chores and all kinds of activities await you.  But, I promise, even if it's for just 5 minutes.....to spend a little "HIM and me" time, it will make such a difference as you create the atmosphere of His peace and joy in your home and day.  You'll set the tone for your entire family  and even your workplace as you exude His energy, His love, His peace, His can-do attitude -- all just because you checked in with Him -- got the download of what you'll need for that day....early in the morning.
#SecretPlace #CEOMeeting #FatherKnowsBest

Can You Hear Me Now?

God is calling....."Can you hear me now?", He says.
I have this really awesome connection with God. He walks with me and talks with me. And, He tells me all kinds of things I need to hear and know. No, a booming voice does not call down from on high, and there's no handwriting on the wall. His voice is subtle -- almost imperceptible -- and I don't hear it unless I'm really listening. Sometimes the voice comes as a feeling or a knowing deep inside. Other times I may read the answer in scripture or I may encounter a solution to a dilemma by something a friend or minister or pastor says. His voice comes to everyone who asks and listens for Him. Oftentimes, the noise, activity, and loud voices of others tend to drown out His voice. But, we'll always be able to tell which voice is His -- it's that One that comes with love, peace, joy and comfort. If the voices you're hearing aren't like that, they're not His voice. If we don't get the answer we want, at the time we want, God might be saying "Not now" or "No" or "I've got something better in mind for you." Bottom line, He promises to speak to us -- but we have to be listening. "Call to me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3. Keep listening. The next time He says "Can you hear me now?" you'll hear Him, and you'll answer, "Yes, Lord, LOUD and CLEAR!"