Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Do It Again

Do It Again



Our three year old grandson, Austin  talking to his Grandpa. He said, Grandpa, do you remember when you gave me all that candy?  He went on to say, would you do that again?

  Austin knew he was asking the right person. 

He  expected his Grandpa to listen to his request.

  Third, Austin fully expected his Grandpa would not only listen but would fulfill his request. 

A simple request from a wise three year old spoke volumes to our hearts about our Lord who loves us.   Austin Grandpa is a wise man for he will only give his grandson candy after he has eaten his meals.  He is careful when and how much to give for he knows the consequences of too much too soon is not good for Austin.  Being only three there was a few tears when Grandpa said, no, not now, maybe later.  Of course at three how much explaining can one do about the harm of too much candy.  

It made me think of the times I ask the Heavenly Father to give me something that He knew was not good for me at the time.  We think candy, He thinks steak and potatoes, something a little more solid that gives strength.  I realized that like Austin, I was looking to recapture a moment in time.  But that’s not the way God works. 

There is never a time God does not hear my request of that I am sure, I expect Him to.   What has changed as I matured a little is my request.  I no longer ask for candy, well, that is not totally true, I do ask for chocolate sometimes.   Lately I have found myself asking God to  bless us abundantly AGAIN, so we can do something special for our 50th anniversary coming up in October.  Then because I do want His will for my life, I tack on to my prayer, if it be your will.   I know I am asking the right person, I know He is listening to me and I know He will give me and Grandpa what is best for us.  There is peace in my heart  over this request for I have tons of memories of His goodness to us.  His goodness has enlarged our life so we can have a ministry in other lives.     
            One must become pliability in the Master’s hands for their life to become enlarged.
                                 He doesn’t repeat the past. He creates newness

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

There is an element of excitement in my heart knowing God has something more for us to do then what we did in the past.  He wants to enlarge our territories so we can have a greater impact on others.  


Are you asking God to work the same way He has before or are you open to Him enlarging your heart so there is more to give out?

                                                                   

22 comments:

  1. Hey Betty! Well timed post. My youngest has been offered a job but doesn't know the particulars on pay, but is hesitant due to the fact it is in the town she formerly led a daycare for a corporation. We shall see. But our prayer has been for a job. (You know that). It is a start up and she has had an experience with that already. Not sure if she wants to go through that pressure again. Anyway, we asked. Now its time for discernment. On another vein: when is your anniversary. My birthday is in October. :) Email me please.

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  2. A cute story about your grandson! I love the lessons that you gleaned from this sweet encounter! Yes, we are children of the Most High King, and we are counseled to have childlike faith. So, Austin, I'm going to follow your example by coming to my Heavenly Father, asking in faith, shedding a few tears if He says wait - but always trusting that He loves me and knows best!!

    To answer your question, Betty - I'm asking the Lord to do something new in my life. I'm not sure what the future is going to look like, but I so want to serve Him!

    GOD BLESS!

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  3. Bill, We have been trying to figure out what to do, or better yet, what can we afford to do for our 50th. We just spent a few buck going to a wedding/family reunion this past month. Heading to Sanford, Florida where our mission headquarters is located for a Member Care conference in a week. We always pick up great tools of the trade and resources to help other so it worth the time and money. Being a "by faith" missionary in the states means using the same tools, trust as we did overseas. But here there are so many options to brings things about in our own power or so it seems. We want to visit our daughter and family at Christmas in Minn. so we may combine that with our 50th, kill two events with the same dollar. It's the practical way but God has been reminding me lately my practical ways are not wrong but He might like to do something not practical. Now that is a novel idea...He just might do some enlarging. Whatever He does or doesn't do I am at peace with. Our daughter keeps saying, but Mom it's your 50th, it's important. It is quite a milestone in the life of two frail people who God loves more then we ever loved each other. Now that is a celebration.

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  4. Sharon, I love your heart for the Lord, it's in every word you post, the time you spend to give out details that brings glory to the Father.

    I sense such an urgency in my spirit with so much evil going on in this world. It wakes me at times to just pray for the lost all around me. So I am with you too, use our child like faith Lord to enlarge your kingdom. Blessings.

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  5. Great analogy. We're all like children; wanting the desires of our hearts without always knowing if it's the best thing for us.

    What ever comes of your prayer, I'm certain that your anniversary will be a wonderful day. The prayers of thanksgiving make it a certainty. Keep running the good race, sister… and leaving spiritual breadcrumbs for me to follow.

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  6. Thanks Floyd for the encouragement. God is fine tuning again His desires in my heart using the things I deal with here on earth. Chipping away things that keep His heart from being my heart. Pray all is well with you brother.

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  7. That's all too true, Betty! We often ask God to give us what we think we want or need and don't really open ourselves up to what He knows is best for us - or when it's best for us!
    People often ask "why doesn't God hear my prayers?" He does - but sometimes the answer is simply "no" or "not right now" and that is difficult for some to deal with.
    Love the story about your grandson!

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  8. Lisa, thanks for stopping by. The long I walk with Him the more I see this truth played out in my life and others. It's the truth that keeps me from getting in a pit thinking He had no idea what I need. He knows us much deeper then we know Him.

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  9. Betty,

    He is a kind, loving God, isn't he? What a sweet illustration of your grandson with your husband, knowing he can ask in love.

    Re your comment on my post "Hidden Beneath the Hubbub and Silence," ...Oh Betty, I'm sorry, friend, for this woman you care for whose son is going through this divorce, lyme's disease, and other hard things. We hurt when we hear of others' hurts, huh? May you have wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen as you mourn and care for her.

    Thank you,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  10. Graham Cooke says it often, and I do agree with him, that one of the most endearing qualities of God is His kindness. He can't resist giving us favors and surprises and He loves to pour showers of blessings upon us. He indeed does things that we never expected... He is such a good, and generous God. Thank you for your post... so encouraging. I am sure the your 50th wedding anniversary in October will be a memorable celebration! Shalom, dear Betty.

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  11. Great post, Betty!
    Kids teach us so much about God as our Father. He does know what's best for us. He loves us even more than I love my son. That really blows me away when I stop and think about it.

    God wants to do more in our lives than we can even dream...we must trust Him enough to be open to His plans. That is hard to do sometimes. Thankfully God is full of grace and patient with us.
    But I'm tired of wasting precious time on earthy by pursuing things outside His will. I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I want to be used by Him. I want my life to bring Him glory. While I don't know what that looks like, I'm learning to trust Him and be open to the things He wants to do in me and through me.

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  12. Crown of Beauty, how true, God's goodness always out weighs ours. Oh to be like Him more and risk loving and being kind to others without the thought of any payback. Thanks for commenting.

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  13. Jennifer, children loves with such simplicity. How blessed we are to be very close to one set of our grandchildren, they always say things to melt our heart. Blessings my sister.

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  14. TC, I am so glad you are back blogging. Your post always stir my heart. I have lived enough life already to know God loves to surprise us. When I first got saved I could not see "over seas missions" in my scope of thinking. But God began from day one ordering my steps to fit into what He had for me...with each step He prepared me for the next step. One thing I am learning is just stay busy doing today what He has for that day and leave the next one to Him. Blessings.

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  15. I still ask for chocolate sometime too. And he answers. :) But I seriously do hope that my requests are maturing as I age....

    50 years! That's awesome!

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  16. TC, gotta love it when He gives us chocolate. Sometime I feel like I pray admiss as they say, too general. Sort of a, what ever God prayer. Yet I know there are times I need to be more specific so I will see the answer He gives. Thanks for the comment,appreciate your input.

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  17. God know just what is good for us and how much and when. We must always trust Him. Thank you for sharing your inspiring post with us here at “Tell Me a Story."

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  18. Hazel, I would love to hear your life story and how God has enlarged your territory over and over. Blessings.

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  19. Betty,
    Congrats early on your 50th anniversary and I pray now for God to bless you and your husband with abundant joy and a special surprise for your anniversary...what a huge milestone :) And your post reminds me of what God has been placing on my husband and my heart to pray more boldly and to ask Him to show us what to pray for...
    blessings to you,
    Dolly

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  20. Thanks Dolly for the early congrads. It seems like an impossibility that 50 years have went by since we met and married. Since it is not possible to gain another 50 years I am praying God will make these our most fruitful. Enlarge us so we can reach others. Will sure pray for you and husband on this issue too. But watch out, that is how we ended up on the foreign mission field in our early 40's. blessings.

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  21. Oh, Betty, the Wisdom in your posts always hits home. I love the analogy!

    A blessed 50th Anniversary to you and Ace! What a life you have shared together. All God's blessings to you.

    (I can't wait to get back to blogging!) Love to you.

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  22. Diane, those of us who followed you are excited you are back. You have been to hell and back emotionally and I know that journey has taught you countless things but mostly developed a deeper trust in Him. Out of that journey will flow words of insight, wisdom. You comment made me smile...made me happy and made me even more glad you are my blog sister.

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