How many times do you hear that word a day? I don’t hear it at all. I’m beginning to think it’ll be the other way around for me sometimes. One woman of God once told me to “relax” and enjoy life. I think sometimes we get so busy by the day, about what things we have to finish and we don’t take the time to appreciate the gift God gave us. Time. That word, something we complain that we have not a lot of it yet the part that we have we waste it on unnecessary things.

Amazing. I can relate. I remember two years ago, crying about P.Chem (refer to former posts, haha) and wondering why I put so much effort and time into it but I never seemed to reap the reward for my efforts. Then I realized something. I was forfeiting the time I should’ve sacrificed and given to God. I always heard from my parents and Christian leaders in the church that when we devote our time to him, he will multiply it and reward us. That’s a motto for this semester and for life, of course!

Returning back to the title… I realized in these three weeks that I have grown up a little than I had in many months. One word that caused this amazing change was PRAYER. Not just praying for myself and about my needs but about others. The way God puts word for people in our lives for ministry and encouragement is definitely dynamic. To pray for the needs of others and lift them up before God is what we’re called to do. I think sometimes when I’m crying over what happened at work last week, or the unfairness shown to me by people, or moaning about how little food I have in my fridge, God sometimes whispers to me saying “Dee, Grow up…”

Yes, kinda painful to hear at first. Who would love to be told to grow up? I think the first time I thought about it, I was not happy at such words. “How unfair, God. I think I have a right to cry about this. Why can’t I?” Those words suddenly faded because I was reminded by just how hard some people have it in life. Some would love to work more hours to provide for their families but they can’t add any more to their already jampacked schedules. Some are holding back the tears from the ignorance and uncruelty of people around them. Some are wishing someone would drop a dollar or not throw that half-eaten sandwich in the trash and just pass it to them instead. I realized that once I lifted my eyes from myself and looked around at all the people God is waiting for us to reach out to, then that’s when we really become missionaries for him.

When Jesus talks about the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, it really hits home when He says “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” It makes me wonder how many of his brothers/sisters have I ignored in all my years. May I not remain as a little child whining about my needs whether or not they are measly or crucial and forgetting the needs of the people God has called us to bring to him. A heart that is served unselfishly is truly a heart matured and ready to serve the Lord fully.

I shall digress for today. May you be blessed!

This week began with a wonderful message from the Lord. I was feeling a bit confused with how things were going in my life. With graduation pushed back to three months, three science labs added onto my schedule and simply no time to plan anything outside of school, I found myself crying out to God, saying “Why is this my life?”

It’s funny how God answers our questions in ways we do not expect. We read about Elijah when he was running from the wicked Jezebel and her spineless husband King Ahab. One thing came to mind when I read about Elijah and the ravens God had divinely set out to minister to him with food! Can you imagine how we’d react if God sent pigeons or robins to carry us bread and water when we need it? I’m sure most would definitely believe that God can do ALL things.

Still, it came as no surprise that when the brook by Elijah started decreasing, he began to wonder about God’s provisions and mercy. It is incredibly easy to put myself in this position, especially concerning school matters.

I remember very vividly one year–last year, when I felt like I was a failure in school and in life. My grades were definitely nothing to write home about, I didn’t feel like I’d accomplished anything to tell the world of… I simply felt like I was taking up space and not fulfilling my purpose for God.

The first person I asked about this sorry situation was God and it was not in a respectful, “Oh Father in Heaven, thank you for…” Instead, I found myself whining endlessly about my life. I had forgotten the times that he’d seen me and my family through some major valleys. I began to wonder if there was a sin that I had forgotten to repent about and that I was being punished for it.

One thing a pastor said that rings true in my head now more than ever is that God has chosen to forgive our sins and FORGET them, casting them as far as the east is from the west. When he forgives, he forgets truly. By me remembering those sins, I was in a way rejecting his mercy and pushing back the goodness that he’d done for me.

Then the pastor mentioned this… “God gives us miracles and favor to bless us… And trials to GROW us for the purpose he has destined for us to fulfill.”

A few words is enough for the wise. Let us appreciate the lessons and blessings God gives us.