Christmas in July
Have you ever really wanted an answer and relentlessly went after it, only to find that you had the answer at the beginning of your search, you had just discounted the information? For example; looking for your keys and something tells you to look on the kitchen counter, then you look about 12 other places before returning to that countertop where you locate your keys. Have you watched a television quiz show when as soon as they ask a question you have the answer, then you change it before the contestant responds, only to find that you had the correct answer in the beginning? While driving have you ever thought, I don’t feel right about going this way, pressed beyond that feeling, only to find there were unforeseen traffic delays on that route? Have you ever decided to break your normal routine, make a stop at a market and surprisingly met someone you have not seen for a long time?
Well, I have experienced all of the above. Recently, I realized a request that I had made some years ago had been answered! It was a prayer for someone in my life. When my prayer for that person was answered it had a profound effect on said person and an insightful impact on me too!
Then a started to think about how long ago I began to ask for that answer. I began to think about how joyful I felt when I remembered how God had blessed both of us by His loving, multidimensional touch! I thought about the level of hope, faith and anticipation I had when I had prayed for the change. I also remembered some of the anguish I witnessed that person feel because of the apparent lack of manifestation of peace. I remembered.
I could literally see the joy in the face of the one I had prayed for, glory to God! It was so pleasant so refreshing, like the first ripe peach of the season from your backyard tree. Refreshing, juicy, and yet indescribable. Then I thought about the last time God answered my prayer. Had I thanked Him? Had I savored that feeling of abiding peace, joy, indescribable, yet so clearly apparent when experienced? I wondered if I spent as much time savoring those moments as I had asking the question and pondering on when the answer would arrive, or rather why it had not yet arrived—to be more accurate.
As I pondered I began to imagine a six-year-old, at Christmas time complaining about the one thing that did not get under the tree, while overlooking the mass of 29 things that she so desperately wanted stacked there beautifully wrapped beneath the tree. I had this sinking feeling that I may have not spent as much effort thanking God for the answers, basking in the joy of His gifts, as I had spent asking the questions and questioning His timing. I do not desire to be that ungrateful child.
To help me practice my gratitude I have decided to use a new journal for my prayers, even the small ones and include those that are answered that I never even asked. When someone loves you they anticipate your needs and provide them before you are even able to formulate your request! That is a loving gesture. I will plan to increase my gratitude, beginning today.
It is said to take about 21 days to form a new habit. Starting today and until the 17th of August I will spend at least 15 minutes at the end of each day recording my answered prayers, including the unspoken ones. Then I will share how it went for me. Please share with me as you go along or at the end how your Christmas in July turned out for you. Let me know what gifts you discover.
I anticipate with excitement what will happen as we create this new habit! We love God by focusing on His love for us. As we love God we will be rewarded and strengthened in our hearts it, is His promise. (See Psalms 31: 23-24)
As I wrote this blog a warning message appeared on the screen of my laptop indicating it is time to use my power cord because my battery power is below 10%. As I began my somewhat frenzied search for the cord that was not handy I looked in three spots. I located it in the living room on the floor near the mantle—the first place I thought it might be before I dismissed the thought to look other places. My first inclination had turned out to be my answer! Another unspoken, answered prayer! Another opportunity to revel in that moment when the answer was there all along! Another circumstance to show Him my love as He continues to pour His love on me!
Ready, set, let’s Take Inventory and Take Action!! See how many heart-shaped boxes you collect for Christmas—starting in July!
Love,
Deborah
“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”
One thing that I remember when I first got married. I saw such compassion for others in my spouse and I hoped that I would learn that from him. We immediately experienced turbulence in our marriage, and I discovered that I already had within the compassion that I was looking for. It was confirmed by a few friends as well, but I was so busy looking at myself through the eyes of someone else that I never saw me. Five years later, I started to rise up to who God created me to be, and to see my worth. It took me three more years of going through surgeries, in order to have that quiet time that My Father requires for me to rise from the ashes and Become that beautiful spirit that He created. Now that is a lot to live up to. I just pray that I can continue to do that. I ask Him daily to guide my feet, my heart, and my tongue. I am consistently amazed at the gifts that I have always had, the sad thing is that it took me 50 plus years to discover them, because I had to peel back the layers of other’s reflections. But I am up for the challenge and really enjoying the journey.
Wow! I am glad that I have gotten to know you and see more of those gifts, (and your awareness of them) unfold!! The world is much better because you are sharing your beautiful spirit with us!