I absolutely deplore that saying: 'New Year, New You'. I truly don't believe the New Year has anything to do with making a change, whether it's a relationship, health, kindness or anything else. It's just another day when you think about it; all you update is the year at the end of the date. You can make a change at any time of the year.
But, I do like the idea of leaving negativity and bad memories behind in the past year and forging ahead with happy thoughts and a renewed sense of purpose in the New Year. And that's what I'm mostly looking forward to.
I've had a lot of bad things happen to me things this past year, namely getting a divorce. But I'm looking forward to 2016 with fresh eyes, and have decided to leave all the garbage that was associated with my divorce behind me in 2015.
When I received the papers on Dec 7, 2015, I had a long heart-to-heart with God that completely wore me out. But during that time, I asked Him to help me leave it all behind so that I could move forward and be happy again. I didn't want something that had happened so long ago to affect my future.
While I was praying, I asked Him to close that chapter in my life, and put all that negativity onto the papers and file it all away at once. And, I truly believe He answered my prayer. Once I filed those papers away, I felt so much happier, like a weight had finally been lifted off my shoulders and I could breathe again.
I was happy, and looking forward to my future.
2016 hasn't even begun yet, but there are so many things that I'm looking forward to experiencing in this next year. I'm deciding to be positive, not letting my circumstances hold me back, and to be a light for Christ no matter what trials come my way.
I'm looking forward to new relationships that I know will form, both friendships and romance. I'm looking forward to teaching my 4th, 5th and 6th graders and growing closer to them as they grow closer to Christ. I'm looking forward to going on the Winter Retreat with my church to spend a weekend with my kids. I'm looking forward to the possibility of going on a mission trip. I'm looking forward to attending at least one wedding, with the potential for two. I'm looking forward to where my career will lead me.
2016 is looking like a beautiful year, and it's not even started yet.
The reason of this post isn't to brag about how great I believe 2016 will be for me, but to inspire you to think the same. Many people have had a difficult 2015 - I know I have - but, I've learned that if we are willing to leave all that behind us and start fresh in the new year, we will have more happiness than we could ever imagine experiencing.
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
So, pack up your baggage; leave it in the past. Pick yourself up and forge a new trail.
Start out the new year with a new set of eyes. And I promise, happiness will find you.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Reason for the Season
During the holidays, it's easy to get wrapped up in all the festivities and forget the actual purpose behind them. It's easy to get so absorbed into planning the perfect Christmas meal, detailing the way Christmas morning will go, listing out all the presents to buy, and preparing to enjoy time with your loved ones that you actually don't enjoy the time with your loved ones. Instead, it becomes a chore. An exhausting, hectic, stressful chore.
I know the holidays have officially passed and most likely all the stress that came with them is slowly dissipating, but I still feel like people need a reminder of what the holiday's are all about.
They aren't about presents and food and, no, not even family. They're about one person and one person only, and that's Jesus Christ. The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of our risen Savior, and unless we actually consciously acknowledge this fact, we can easily trudge through the holidays not truly thinking about what we're celebrating.
And this is one way that we can let the holidays drain us mentally, physically and emotionally.
When we forget to acknowledge that Christmas isn't about Santa or what we put under the tree, but is instead about the King of Kings who was born of a virgin, came to Earth to live and die for you and me, and has risen and is alive, waiting for us in Heaven, the holidays become a chore. They're no longer a celebration as much as an obligation.
I've noticed in my short life that when people focus more on what they're buying their kids and less on where their kids will spend eternity, the holidays become almost sour. Instead of reminding kids (and even adults) that Christmas is about Jesus' birth and not about a big man in a red suit, Christmas becomes draining.
I have to be honest; I have been guilty of this in the past, and yes, even partly this Christmas. But it's taught me exactly what I'm telling you - by forgetting the reason for the season, the holidays are exhausting.
It can become mentally draining for a variety of reasons, most of which I've noticed tend to boil down to what we will be buying others. We put too much thought into what we can buy others so that they'll know just how much we care for them, but in reality, if we truly cared for them, we'd be more concerned with their eternity than their Christmas present. I hate to say it but, I know that I've been guilty of this. Maybe not this year, but I definitely have in the past. I know I have been so focused on figuring out what I want to buy someone, I didn't even bother to wonder if they were a follower of Christ. And isn't that sad? I was more concerned about buying them something that would give them momentary happiness that I wasn't even focused on whether or not they would receive eternal happiness.
I completely missed the point of Christmas.
Another way I've noticed it's draining is physically. We wear ourselves out trying to cook and clean and entertain and organize and plan and shop and decorate, that we forget to actually enjoy the holiday seasons. Chances are good, your family knows that you don't live in a house that's immaculately spotless. And I've noticed that they usually don't care. As my mom always says, "they know we live here."
This one hit me hard because I like things in their place; some call it OCD, others call it organized. But I've had to realize that it doesn't matter if there's a dirty plate on the counter when someone comes over, or if there are shoes by the front door. Nobody really cares. If I focused as much attention on my risen Savior and telling others about Him as I do worrying about what food to prepare or if I cleaned enough, the world would be a much better place. And honestly, I'd enjoy the holidays so much more, because I would remember they're not about me and anything I do anyway.
Lastly, they can be draining emotionally. After you spend all that time thinking and planning on the perfect gift, just for the recipient to open it and not like it? Emotionally draining. I know for me, it makes me feel like all my hard work at picking that gift was for nothing. But that's not the point at all - we have the perfect gift already and that's Jesus Christ, so why are we so wrapped up in finding another one? We will never find another perfect gift, so why do we let others opinions on something that ultimately will be shoved under the bed or into the closet really affect us? Truly, I don't know. Maybe it's just because we're human. Who knows?
There are more things that can be draining about the holidays, ranging from monetary things to relationships. But the point I want to make is that we shouldn't focus on those things, because they will make us miss the true point of Christmas.
Christmas is a reminder that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, came down to Earth for us. He was born of a virgin, God made flesh, for us. He died on the cross for us. He was beaten, cursed, whipped, spit on and nailed to a cross for us. He took all our sin upon Himself so that we could one day be in Heaven with Him. He defeated death once and for all, and became the penalty for our sins. He conquered Hell and paved the way to Heaven. For us. For you and me. For everyone, even though none of us deserve His grace and love.
And if we get so wrapped up in the holidays and trying to perfect every single detail of it, we will miss the most important part of the Christmas season, which is the reminder that Christ died for us and He wants to spend eternity with us.
Don't let the holidays be draining. Don't let the holidays be a distraction.
Let the holidays be a time of celebration for all He has done for you, and you'll truly celebrate and have a joyous holiday season.
I know the holidays have officially passed and most likely all the stress that came with them is slowly dissipating, but I still feel like people need a reminder of what the holiday's are all about.
They aren't about presents and food and, no, not even family. They're about one person and one person only, and that's Jesus Christ. The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of our risen Savior, and unless we actually consciously acknowledge this fact, we can easily trudge through the holidays not truly thinking about what we're celebrating.
And this is one way that we can let the holidays drain us mentally, physically and emotionally.
When we forget to acknowledge that Christmas isn't about Santa or what we put under the tree, but is instead about the King of Kings who was born of a virgin, came to Earth to live and die for you and me, and has risen and is alive, waiting for us in Heaven, the holidays become a chore. They're no longer a celebration as much as an obligation.
I've noticed in my short life that when people focus more on what they're buying their kids and less on where their kids will spend eternity, the holidays become almost sour. Instead of reminding kids (and even adults) that Christmas is about Jesus' birth and not about a big man in a red suit, Christmas becomes draining.
I have to be honest; I have been guilty of this in the past, and yes, even partly this Christmas. But it's taught me exactly what I'm telling you - by forgetting the reason for the season, the holidays are exhausting.
It can become mentally draining for a variety of reasons, most of which I've noticed tend to boil down to what we will be buying others. We put too much thought into what we can buy others so that they'll know just how much we care for them, but in reality, if we truly cared for them, we'd be more concerned with their eternity than their Christmas present. I hate to say it but, I know that I've been guilty of this. Maybe not this year, but I definitely have in the past. I know I have been so focused on figuring out what I want to buy someone, I didn't even bother to wonder if they were a follower of Christ. And isn't that sad? I was more concerned about buying them something that would give them momentary happiness that I wasn't even focused on whether or not they would receive eternal happiness.
I completely missed the point of Christmas.
Another way I've noticed it's draining is physically. We wear ourselves out trying to cook and clean and entertain and organize and plan and shop and decorate, that we forget to actually enjoy the holiday seasons. Chances are good, your family knows that you don't live in a house that's immaculately spotless. And I've noticed that they usually don't care. As my mom always says, "they know we live here."
This one hit me hard because I like things in their place; some call it OCD, others call it organized. But I've had to realize that it doesn't matter if there's a dirty plate on the counter when someone comes over, or if there are shoes by the front door. Nobody really cares. If I focused as much attention on my risen Savior and telling others about Him as I do worrying about what food to prepare or if I cleaned enough, the world would be a much better place. And honestly, I'd enjoy the holidays so much more, because I would remember they're not about me and anything I do anyway.
Lastly, they can be draining emotionally. After you spend all that time thinking and planning on the perfect gift, just for the recipient to open it and not like it? Emotionally draining. I know for me, it makes me feel like all my hard work at picking that gift was for nothing. But that's not the point at all - we have the perfect gift already and that's Jesus Christ, so why are we so wrapped up in finding another one? We will never find another perfect gift, so why do we let others opinions on something that ultimately will be shoved under the bed or into the closet really affect us? Truly, I don't know. Maybe it's just because we're human. Who knows?
There are more things that can be draining about the holidays, ranging from monetary things to relationships. But the point I want to make is that we shouldn't focus on those things, because they will make us miss the true point of Christmas.
Christmas is a reminder that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, came down to Earth for us. He was born of a virgin, God made flesh, for us. He died on the cross for us. He was beaten, cursed, whipped, spit on and nailed to a cross for us. He took all our sin upon Himself so that we could one day be in Heaven with Him. He defeated death once and for all, and became the penalty for our sins. He conquered Hell and paved the way to Heaven. For us. For you and me. For everyone, even though none of us deserve His grace and love.
And if we get so wrapped up in the holidays and trying to perfect every single detail of it, we will miss the most important part of the Christmas season, which is the reminder that Christ died for us and He wants to spend eternity with us.
Don't let the holidays be draining. Don't let the holidays be a distraction.
Let the holidays be a time of celebration for all He has done for you, and you'll truly celebrate and have a joyous holiday season.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Joy to the World
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Romans 15:13.
It's the time of year where joy seems to abound, even to those who are generally grumpy or cranky. It's almost impossible to be without some kind of joy at this time of year, simply because of the music on the radio, the happiness of those who love this season, and the jubilation and excitement from kids waiting for Santa.
Truthfully, I was one of those who wasn't feeling very joyous this year; I was a real Scrooge. But my best friend refused to allow me to continue being a Scrooge - she'd taken it upon herself to make me enjoy this season, instead of saying "Bah Humbug" to all the festivities.
It's a bit ironic that while I wanted to a be Scrooge (which I no longer am), I wanted to spread joy to those around me. Even if I wasn't particularly looking forward to this season of celebration, renewal and exultation, I wanted to make sure everybody else had a great season.
This brings me to the topic I wanted to discuss: bringing joy to those around us.
My church decided to do something they called the #giveJoy initiative. In essence, they gave $100 to each small group (basically Sunday School), and each group could use it in any way they wanted in order to spread joy to those around them, including to help those within the church. I was excited about this opportunity to bless someone, but I had no idea that I would also be the one being blessed.
That sounds cliche: it's a blessing to bless others. But, truly, I wasn't even thinking about how I would be impacted because of a mere $100.
I contacted the woman my small group was paired with, and within minutes I had learned so much about her that my heart was breaking for her. She desperately needed help, and I was honored that my group had been selected to help her and her daughter have a great Christmas season.
It's only been 6 days since our initial conversation, but she has impacted my life so much more than we have impacted hers. But let me back up some.
During our initial conversation, she explained that her husband walked out on her and her daughter in January, so she lost her insurance coverage. Then she lost her job in September. Plus, her daughter's in a growth spurt, so she needs new clothes, but because she doesn't have a job, she can't afford anything. On top of this, they had only recently begun going to our church and didn't know anybody, so she felt excluded and like nobody cared.
Well, after our talk, I spoke with my small group about how we could spend our $100. Let me tell you - with a $15 off coupon and shopping on the clearance rack, $100 can go a long way. We went shopping on Sunday afternoon and bought her daughter probably 20 different outfits, a Bible, and then just some girly stuff just for fun. Then we decided to buy her mom a Bible of her own, a DVD player, another member of my group donated a TV, and a spa package - most of which was covered by our own pockets.
She and her daughter have also become honorary members of our small group - they may not fit the 'criteria' for our group, but we don't care. They now have people they know at church so they don't feel like outsiders. They have some backing when they need prayer warriors. And the mom has even decided to volunteer with the kids ministry on Wednesday nights. They're getting plugged in, and diving deeper towards God. All in 6 days!
Not to mention, we have also helped line her up with a few job interviews, thanks to the mother of one of our small group members. So hopefully soon, she will also have a job again and be on her way to getting back on her feet.
Now, how in the world could all of that impacted and blessed me, you ask?
Because, seeing her gratitude for everything has shown me to be thankful no matter what, even when I want to be a Scrooge. Seeing her lean on God through her trials has taught me to never remove my focus from Him, even when it's so tempting. Seeing a smile on her face when it was evident she hadn't smiled in a long time brought joy to my soul. Seeing her daughter light up every time she talks about the friends she's made at church and how excited she is to talk about God makes my heart swell.
Bringing joy to them has brought joy to my life, as cliche as that sounds.
So, when you're going through a tough time where you don't want to be joyous, I recommend being a blessing and bringing joy to someone else. Because chances are good, you'll get a heavy dose of it, too.
It's the time of year where joy seems to abound, even to those who are generally grumpy or cranky. It's almost impossible to be without some kind of joy at this time of year, simply because of the music on the radio, the happiness of those who love this season, and the jubilation and excitement from kids waiting for Santa.
Truthfully, I was one of those who wasn't feeling very joyous this year; I was a real Scrooge. But my best friend refused to allow me to continue being a Scrooge - she'd taken it upon herself to make me enjoy this season, instead of saying "Bah Humbug" to all the festivities.
It's a bit ironic that while I wanted to a be Scrooge (which I no longer am), I wanted to spread joy to those around me. Even if I wasn't particularly looking forward to this season of celebration, renewal and exultation, I wanted to make sure everybody else had a great season.
This brings me to the topic I wanted to discuss: bringing joy to those around us.
My church decided to do something they called the #giveJoy initiative. In essence, they gave $100 to each small group (basically Sunday School), and each group could use it in any way they wanted in order to spread joy to those around them, including to help those within the church. I was excited about this opportunity to bless someone, but I had no idea that I would also be the one being blessed.
That sounds cliche: it's a blessing to bless others. But, truly, I wasn't even thinking about how I would be impacted because of a mere $100.
I contacted the woman my small group was paired with, and within minutes I had learned so much about her that my heart was breaking for her. She desperately needed help, and I was honored that my group had been selected to help her and her daughter have a great Christmas season.
It's only been 6 days since our initial conversation, but she has impacted my life so much more than we have impacted hers. But let me back up some.
During our initial conversation, she explained that her husband walked out on her and her daughter in January, so she lost her insurance coverage. Then she lost her job in September. Plus, her daughter's in a growth spurt, so she needs new clothes, but because she doesn't have a job, she can't afford anything. On top of this, they had only recently begun going to our church and didn't know anybody, so she felt excluded and like nobody cared.
Well, after our talk, I spoke with my small group about how we could spend our $100. Let me tell you - with a $15 off coupon and shopping on the clearance rack, $100 can go a long way. We went shopping on Sunday afternoon and bought her daughter probably 20 different outfits, a Bible, and then just some girly stuff just for fun. Then we decided to buy her mom a Bible of her own, a DVD player, another member of my group donated a TV, and a spa package - most of which was covered by our own pockets.
She and her daughter have also become honorary members of our small group - they may not fit the 'criteria' for our group, but we don't care. They now have people they know at church so they don't feel like outsiders. They have some backing when they need prayer warriors. And the mom has even decided to volunteer with the kids ministry on Wednesday nights. They're getting plugged in, and diving deeper towards God. All in 6 days!
Not to mention, we have also helped line her up with a few job interviews, thanks to the mother of one of our small group members. So hopefully soon, she will also have a job again and be on her way to getting back on her feet.
Now, how in the world could all of that impacted and blessed me, you ask?
Because, seeing her gratitude for everything has shown me to be thankful no matter what, even when I want to be a Scrooge. Seeing her lean on God through her trials has taught me to never remove my focus from Him, even when it's so tempting. Seeing a smile on her face when it was evident she hadn't smiled in a long time brought joy to my soul. Seeing her daughter light up every time she talks about the friends she's made at church and how excited she is to talk about God makes my heart swell.
Bringing joy to them has brought joy to my life, as cliche as that sounds.
So, when you're going through a tough time where you don't want to be joyous, I recommend being a blessing and bringing joy to someone else. Because chances are good, you'll get a heavy dose of it, too.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Puddle. On. The. Floor
The Bible makes it very clear that children are a gift from God, a blessing that we should cherish forever. Growing up, I wasn't a big kid person. If I had my way, I'd hang out with people older than me, simply because I got along with them better.
Don't get me wrong, I always wanted kids of my own, but I never really wanted to be around other people's kids. Especially if the parent wasn't going to discipline the child or just let the kid act crazy and pretend like they don't see it. That drives me crazy, and I always told myself that when I finally did have kids, mine would not be like that.
Isn't that what anybody who doesn't have kids thinks? "My kids will NOT misbehave. If they do, they will get in trouble." Or: "I can't believe that mom/dad isn't stepping in and handling this situation." Or, my personal favorite: "If I were his parent,...", fill in the blank.
Truthfully, I have no idea how my kids will be or how I will react to certain things. I was naive to think that I knew the correct way to raise a child when I hadn't even had the opportunity, and would much rather steer clear of any kids to whom I wasn't related.
My perspective of children changed drastically just over 3 years ago. My niece was born on June 1, 2012 and, though I was excited to be an uncle, I had no idea what that would entail. I honestly didn't think anything in my life would change.
Oh, how wrong I was.
I went to the hospital to see her, and awkwardly waited my turn to hold her, as she was passed from mom to dad to aunts and other uncles and Omah (my mom) and Opah (my dad) and everybody else who was there. I didn't really know how to react when it was finally my turn. Honestly, I was terrified; I'd never held a newborn baby, and wanted to get the experience over with as soon as possible.
But the moment I held her in my arms, a love I couldn't explain then and still can't explain today overwhelmed me. And when she blindly reached out and grabbed my thumb in her tiny hands? Let me tell you something - my heart stopped, and I completely melted. I was a puddle on the floor in the middle of all these people, some I knew and others I had never met. That little girl completely stole my heart.
Now she's 3, turning 4 in June (I still can't believe it's already been 3 1/2 years!), and she is one of my favorite people in the world. When I find out that she's in town, I get all giddy with excitement; I can't wait to see her! She completely transformed my life in the most unexpected way, and she will probably never know exactly how much she's impacted me. She is the sweetest, sassiest, funniest, kindest, most imaginative 3-year-old diva I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I can't wait to watch her grow up, even though a big part of me wishes I could dip her in wax and freeze her in this moment.
But this post isn't all about my sweet, beautiful Arabella. It's also about her little brother, Khale. He was born on September 17, 2014, and he's my best bud. He is truly the happiest baby I have ever met - the only time he really gets upset is when he's hungry, which I believe is just a Dearborn trait.
But that little boy, with his head full of curls, drool dripping down his face, a goofy grin no matter what, and wonder-filled eyes has also captured a place in my heart. When I see him, it's an act of Congress to make me give him to somebody else. I like to call myself the baby-whisperer when I handle him, because I'm one of the only people who can calm him down, and he almost always falls asleep when I'm holding him.
Again, I can't wait to see him grow up and see him take the world by storm, but at the same time, if I could, I'd lock him in a state of permanent adolescence so he never got older.
Those two kids have transformed my life. They are two of my most favorite people in the world, because they're so full of life, wonder and imagination. I have nothing but love for them, and can't wait to see them any chance I get. My favorite is when I get home from a hard day to find that they came to visit - they instantly make my day better.
Do I get on the floor and play trains, or dragons, or horses, or anything else those crazy kids come up with? You're darn right. I'm not willing to miss out on any opportunity to show them how much I care for them. I want them both to know undoubtedly that "Uncle Airwin" loves them and will always be there for them, no matter what trials come up. They can count on me.
As I said previously, the Bible makes it clear that children are a blessing from God, and I have to agree with that 100%. They have blessed my life in more ways than I can count or even begin to list here. I don't know where I'd be without those two stink-pots in my life.
So, take time to cherish those kids around you, whether you're their parents, their aunt/uncle, their cousin, or they're just a kid you know. Don't miss out on all the wonders of life that we as adults can so easily glaze over when the pressures and stress of work, bills and life itself arise. Have wonder-filled eyes like a 1-year-old, and the imagination of a 3-year-old.
Because, truly, it can change your entire perspective.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Yes, No, Later, Different
Prayers are powerful. After all, they're the way we speak to God, and sometimes the way God answers. But what happens when we feel as if our prayers go unanswered? Some people get upset (actually, most likely a lot of people), while others may not even think about it again unless the prayer was pretty significant.
Well, my pastor spoke on this sometime in March 2015, and it really hit home. He said that we need to remember that God always answers our prayers, whether we realize it or not. My pastor said that there are four different ways that God answers prayers: Yes, No, Later, Different. And when I really took a minute to think about it, I fully realized what he meant, and how true that was.
Let's start with the obvious: Yes.
'Yes' is the answer we all most likely want to hear to our prayers. But, let's be real. Receiving a 'yes' to every prayer we pray is probably not actually in our best interest. As my pastor said when he first spoke about this: if we knew everything God knew, we wouldn't ask for everything we ask for. This sounds really confusing, and I will admit that I didn't completely grasp what he was saying until he explained later.
Later in the sermon, he came back to this statement and explained it like this: "My kids constantly ask me for candy. I know how much they love and want it, but I know it's bad for them. If I said yes all the time, I know they'd get a ton of cavities. They're too young to realize that that's a possibility, because they don't know what I know. So, in this case, a 'yes' is not in their best interest."
When he explained it that way, I realized exactly what he meant. God knows everything that is going to happen, and so He knows when to say yes to our prayers, as frustrating as that is for us who desperately want something.
Personally, I know exactly how this is. When my divorce was happening, I desperately was praying for Him to heal our marriage, help us get past it all and get back to where we were before this. But, He knew why the divorce had to happen, and He graciously declined to provide a 'yes' to my situation. He knew that there was better in store for me because of my divorce, doors He had been holding open but that I had rushed past without even seeing.
This is a great segue to the next answer, which is probably the one we all hate receiving: No
'No' is the answer I absolutely HATE hearing when I'm praying, especially when I think I know what's best for me. But again, God takes my hand and shows me exactly why He told me 'no'. Sometimes I don't learn for a while, and others, it's perfectly evident.
In regards to my divorce, He gave me a definite 'no', which completely crushed me. But if you've been following my blog, or even read only one post, you'll know that God knew SO much more than I did, and that His 'no' was one of the greatest blessings I've ever received. I don't really have much to say about receiving a 'no', except that we need to realize that God tells us 'no' because He has something better in store, always.
And sometimes, He tells us 'Yes, but later'. This is one I don't necessarily care for either, as it's something I'm currently dealing with. I guess I should be thankful that it's a 'yes', but at the same time, I'm frustrated because it's also a 'later'.
This is also one of the easiest, I believe, to mistake for a 'yes'. I'll explain that later.
When my pastor was speaking on this, he made sure to say that sometimes God tells us "Yes, but later". Basically, God may want to give us whatever it is we ask Him for, but, again, because He knows so much more than we do, He also knows when we're ready to receive this 'yes'.
I've often been told I have patience a mile long, but I have to admit that when I really want something and I know God's telling me 'later', it's easy for me to get impatient. That's definitely not a good place to be in; I constantly have to pray for His guidance, His timing, His will be done. I know He's telling me that eventually I will receive my 'yes', and I know that currently I'm not ready to receive it. But, I want it so desperately.
It's easy to fool yourself into thinking that God's telling you 'yes', when really He's clearly saying 'later', because you want something so bad that you're listening to your head and not to God. But at the same time, if you're conscious enough about this possibility, it will also bring you closer to the Lord, because it'll make you want to verify with Him before you move forward.
Lastly, is 'Different'. This one hit me the hardest when my pastor was speaking, because I had never thought of it in such a way.
Basically, it's when God answers your prayers (giving you a 'yes'), but it's in a different way than you expect. Because, as we know, God knows SO much more than we do, and He knows exactly what we need. And sometimes, we don't ask for the right things, or for things in the right way.
I absolutely hated hearing about this one, but at the same time, I'm so thankful I did.
I've never mentioned in my blog before, but my grandma passed away in March 2014 due to Alzheimer's. I prayed daily for her to be healed, and when she passed away, I was so angry at God. I was so mad that He ignored my prayer; He let her die, instead of healing her and letting her stay with us.
I was angry, but I hid it well. I let it simmer inside of me, and unless I wanted you to know, you were clueless. My own family couldn't tell how angry I was.
But as my pastor explained that sometimes God answers our prayers in a different way than we expect, I was so overcome with emotion that I literally began to bawl in my seat. I realized then that God had answered my prayer; He had healed her. He allowed her to pass on so that she was no longer suffering, and that she could now be in Heaven with Him for all eternity, where she was no longer ill. He healed her in a way that, yes, I didn't want to happen. But He healed her all the same.
As horrible as it is, it took me a year to realize this. It took me a year to finally let my anger go and realize that He had answered my prayer, and that He had answered it better than I could have hoped. Because right now, I know she's dancing and singing and praising her Saviour with all that she has, with no sign of Alzheimer's, and I couldn't be more thankful for that.
If you get anything out of this post, I hope you realize that God does always answer prayers, even if they're not in the way we expect. I hope you know that He knows so much more than we do, and He knows exactly what we need, when we need it. I hope you decide to be patient, waiting for His guidance, instead of rushing head-first into something just because you think it's right, or that you're ready.
It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way; I hope it's not the case for you.
Well, my pastor spoke on this sometime in March 2015, and it really hit home. He said that we need to remember that God always answers our prayers, whether we realize it or not. My pastor said that there are four different ways that God answers prayers: Yes, No, Later, Different. And when I really took a minute to think about it, I fully realized what he meant, and how true that was.
Let's start with the obvious: Yes.
'Yes' is the answer we all most likely want to hear to our prayers. But, let's be real. Receiving a 'yes' to every prayer we pray is probably not actually in our best interest. As my pastor said when he first spoke about this: if we knew everything God knew, we wouldn't ask for everything we ask for. This sounds really confusing, and I will admit that I didn't completely grasp what he was saying until he explained later.
Later in the sermon, he came back to this statement and explained it like this: "My kids constantly ask me for candy. I know how much they love and want it, but I know it's bad for them. If I said yes all the time, I know they'd get a ton of cavities. They're too young to realize that that's a possibility, because they don't know what I know. So, in this case, a 'yes' is not in their best interest."
When he explained it that way, I realized exactly what he meant. God knows everything that is going to happen, and so He knows when to say yes to our prayers, as frustrating as that is for us who desperately want something.
Personally, I know exactly how this is. When my divorce was happening, I desperately was praying for Him to heal our marriage, help us get past it all and get back to where we were before this. But, He knew why the divorce had to happen, and He graciously declined to provide a 'yes' to my situation. He knew that there was better in store for me because of my divorce, doors He had been holding open but that I had rushed past without even seeing.
This is a great segue to the next answer, which is probably the one we all hate receiving: No
'No' is the answer I absolutely HATE hearing when I'm praying, especially when I think I know what's best for me. But again, God takes my hand and shows me exactly why He told me 'no'. Sometimes I don't learn for a while, and others, it's perfectly evident.
In regards to my divorce, He gave me a definite 'no', which completely crushed me. But if you've been following my blog, or even read only one post, you'll know that God knew SO much more than I did, and that His 'no' was one of the greatest blessings I've ever received. I don't really have much to say about receiving a 'no', except that we need to realize that God tells us 'no' because He has something better in store, always.
And sometimes, He tells us 'Yes, but later'. This is one I don't necessarily care for either, as it's something I'm currently dealing with. I guess I should be thankful that it's a 'yes', but at the same time, I'm frustrated because it's also a 'later'.
This is also one of the easiest, I believe, to mistake for a 'yes'. I'll explain that later.
When my pastor was speaking on this, he made sure to say that sometimes God tells us "Yes, but later". Basically, God may want to give us whatever it is we ask Him for, but, again, because He knows so much more than we do, He also knows when we're ready to receive this 'yes'.
I've often been told I have patience a mile long, but I have to admit that when I really want something and I know God's telling me 'later', it's easy for me to get impatient. That's definitely not a good place to be in; I constantly have to pray for His guidance, His timing, His will be done. I know He's telling me that eventually I will receive my 'yes', and I know that currently I'm not ready to receive it. But, I want it so desperately.
It's easy to fool yourself into thinking that God's telling you 'yes', when really He's clearly saying 'later', because you want something so bad that you're listening to your head and not to God. But at the same time, if you're conscious enough about this possibility, it will also bring you closer to the Lord, because it'll make you want to verify with Him before you move forward.
Lastly, is 'Different'. This one hit me the hardest when my pastor was speaking, because I had never thought of it in such a way.
Basically, it's when God answers your prayers (giving you a 'yes'), but it's in a different way than you expect. Because, as we know, God knows SO much more than we do, and He knows exactly what we need. And sometimes, we don't ask for the right things, or for things in the right way.
I absolutely hated hearing about this one, but at the same time, I'm so thankful I did.
I've never mentioned in my blog before, but my grandma passed away in March 2014 due to Alzheimer's. I prayed daily for her to be healed, and when she passed away, I was so angry at God. I was so mad that He ignored my prayer; He let her die, instead of healing her and letting her stay with us.
I was angry, but I hid it well. I let it simmer inside of me, and unless I wanted you to know, you were clueless. My own family couldn't tell how angry I was.
But as my pastor explained that sometimes God answers our prayers in a different way than we expect, I was so overcome with emotion that I literally began to bawl in my seat. I realized then that God had answered my prayer; He had healed her. He allowed her to pass on so that she was no longer suffering, and that she could now be in Heaven with Him for all eternity, where she was no longer ill. He healed her in a way that, yes, I didn't want to happen. But He healed her all the same.
As horrible as it is, it took me a year to realize this. It took me a year to finally let my anger go and realize that He had answered my prayer, and that He had answered it better than I could have hoped. Because right now, I know she's dancing and singing and praising her Saviour with all that she has, with no sign of Alzheimer's, and I couldn't be more thankful for that.
If you get anything out of this post, I hope you realize that God does always answer prayers, even if they're not in the way we expect. I hope you know that He knows so much more than we do, and He knows exactly what we need, when we need it. I hope you decide to be patient, waiting for His guidance, instead of rushing head-first into something just because you think it's right, or that you're ready.
It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way; I hope it's not the case for you.
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