What to do with answered prayers ...
Giving thanks with a grateful heart while learning to be present
It's easy to believe God is absent in our lives if He doesn't show up how we want Him to. But what happens when He does? And do you recognize it?
I was in a storm recently, a literal storm. Sheets of rain cascaded across the truck's front windshield; my wipers were rendered useless against them. I had little to no visibility, and my anxiety was high.
I turned on my hazards and prayed for my family's safety and the cluster of cars around us. It felt like the full weight of the heavens was pouring down without an end in sight.
While I was anxious, I was hopeful, deep down I knew we'd be okay. I knew we'd reach our destination safely if I did my part by taking precautions. I slowed down in some areas. I watched out for other cars. I turned off the music so I could listen with intent. My job at that moment wasn't to try and control the rain but to weather the storm.
It's the same thing in our prayer life. If we pray with the intent of only seeking the outcome, we miss the blessing of the process. And if we get caught up in the messiness of the process outside of ourselves (outside the will of God), we may not realize when we've reached our destination.
I'm learning more about who I am as I go through my storms. Have I slowed down? Am I watching out for those around me while preserving my boundaries? Am I listening with intent? Am I consistent? Am I open to an alternative route?
I could be better. We all fall short of the glory of God, but His grace redeems us. I'm not perfect; honestly, I expect to see what I know as I travel this road, but sometimes, life's twists and turns redirect us, so we feel we're off track. And when we focus on the twists and turns, we don't recognize the destination because we've been overwhelmed with the distractions.
I also recently realized that I no longer pray to "just get through" -- I'm no longer praying for survival. I heard Oprah say, "I live in God's dream for me."
I felt that.
While I'm here affirming with God peace, love, joy, faith, and grace, I'm also agreeing with Him on things I don't know to ask for. I'm putting my trust in the seen and the unseen, those things known and unknown -- if it's in His will. I'm also doing my part: Have I slowed down? Am I watching out for those around me while preserving my boundaries? Am I listening with intent? Am I consistent? Am I open to an alternative route?
You feel that?
Be prepared to receive and realize what you've been praying for, you may already be standing in it.
What I’m Reading
Oh dear friends, the TBR pile is groooowing but I’m slowly getting through it. Over the past few months, I wasn’t in much of a mood to read (or write for that matter), but I feel the little cloud over my head moving aside. There’s cool autumn days ahead and nothing goes better with fall weather than a chunky sweater, fuzzy socks, good tea, and great books. Can I get an Amen and a PSL?
This week I started, Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee. The buzz behind this book is beyond - beyond so I’m excited to read it.
I also started compiling my favorite reads in one place. So you can visit me on BookShop and check out my collection. I’m all about supporting independent bookstores and when you shop with BookShop you’re doing just that. Take a look at what I have so far, I’m still working on it but I invite you to tell me what you think.
I’m also in support of self-published authors who may or may not have made it on various platforms, so you’ll see a big distributor/book seller link here and there as well.
What I’m Writing
I recently wrote a short story for submission to an anthology. I received feedback from the editor and I froze. I don’t know why. It’s still sitting on my desktop partially unfinished. This is one of those little storms I talk about above …this morning I felt the need to pray about it and ask for forgiveness because I’ve wanted a stronger writing life for YEARS and I stumble on the smallest things. I had to remind myself of those words “I live in God's dream for me” — with the actual belief that I want is what He wants for me. After I prayed, a little later in the morning I was scrolling social and saw this:
Message received, Lord. I hear you. LOL!
What about you, friend? Is there something going on in your life that has tested your mettle? Write to me, you know I love to hear from you. Cheers to getting to the good things in your life.
X
Cece