All this stretching the LORD has been doing in my heart has been a blessing.
Nope, I didn’t say comfortable.
I definitely didn’t say sought.
My flesh doesn’t like any stretching, at all.
Yet God in His Sovereignty, has been stretching me.
And of late, it’s really come as a surprise.
My personal times of prayer with my Father are so deep.
The times of reflection and questions and seeking are so precious.
It is in those times with Jesus all my innermost is open.
So when the Lord told me to text a prayer for someone I was a bit surprised.
Thankfully, He had me begin with my husband.
Then He moved on to our adult children.
But His next person wasn’t a family member.
“Lord, what if it freaks this person out? What if they think I’m being way too personal. Lord, I really am happy to pray for them, but do they really need to know what I’m saying?”
They need to know what you are and have been praying for them. They need to hear it.
-sigh-
“I’m frightened. This is hard for me.”
I know.
So, I began.
And I felt nervous right to the moment of my finger hovering over the send button.
“Lord, You are sure I need to do this?”
Yes.
I hit send and put down my phone.
I moved on with my day, because sometimes it’s easier to just do it and move on.
So I was surprised when I received a text back.
Just 4 words that brought me peace.
“Thank you so much!”
-whew-
And I thanked God for helping me obey.
I also did one of those, “I’m glad that’s over! Let’s not do that again.”
I should’ve know better!
Before I was out of bed the Lord told me to text-pray for my hubby.
“Got it! He’s been under such a trying week. I’m happy to.”
Then our adult children.
I was less enthusiastic after the first text due to my extreme fatigue.
Yet, I want our children to know how I pray for them.
So, when I finished my 4th text this morning I put my phone down.
You have one more.
“Wait, really? Lord, I want to obey You, but do I have to text them again? I’m going to scare them. They’re going to avoid our whole family. This is so uncomfortable. ”
Of course, I know better than to argue.
Jesus is so incredibly patient with me.
He astounds me with His patience.
And I sent one more text.
And I’m still a bit nervous.
But none of that matters.
What does matter is my walk with Jesus.
If the Lord wants me to get really personal and text others what I pray for them then He will use it.
He knows what is best and if I am not willing to allow Him to stretch me then my walk will be hindered greatly.
I understand myself well enough to know that I hate upsetting others.
I avoid making people uncomfortable as much as possible.
But that isn’t always what is best.
Only God knows what is best.
And since getting personal is uncomfortable for me I can only trust that God is going to use it.
patientlyhopeful 