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Lois Flowers

It’s Hard to Wait for God to Rescue a Loved One

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: As time drags on and it seems like nothing ever changes, it helps to remember a few key truths about faith, feelings and God’s faithfulness. ~

When it comes to faith, I often find it easier to trust God in the middle of my own struggles than it is to wait for Him to come to the rescue of someone I love.

I don’t know why this is. I just know that it happens

Maybe it’s because I don’t like to wait. I look up movie spoilers in the middle of the show. I always read the end of the book first.

Perhaps it’s a control or trust issue.

Only Human

Or maybe I’m just a finite human being who longs for a happy ending—and an easy way to get there. I’m guessing I’m not the only one, either.

We can’t make God answer our prayers in the way we want, when we want. We can’t force an outcome.

We might like to, but we can’t.

We also can’t make other people respond how we might respond—or how we think we might respond—to any given trial. While God offers only one way to salvation, He relates to each mind and heart in a unique way, much like any other loving parent interacts with his or her children individually.

What’s Taking So Long?

God’s plans for each of us are for our good. I believe this, and you probably do too.

Not in a cliche, pat-answer kind of way, but deep down—in that place where we trust His sovereignty even when the plans He unfolds don’t make any sense to us and might even seem to be the opposite of good.

But as time drags on and nothing changes—at least nothing that’s readily apparent—it’s easy to wonder.

What’s taking so long? What’s the point of all this? Is healing ever going to come?

Fickle Feelings

It’s possible these questions stem from doubt or a lack of faith. But often, they’re based on feelings, which are fickle. They ebb and flow, depending on all kinds of internal and external stimuli.

Faith, on the other hand, is based on a relationship with God, which is eternal.

I believe every word of Jeremiah 32:17: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

God could remedy in an instant the situations in which our loved ones find themselves. When He doesn’t, it makes us sad to see them struggling or suffering. To feel otherwise would be somewhat less than human, I think.

What Faith Is

And sadness does not indicate an absence or lack of faith. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, in fact. According to Hebrews 11:1, it’s “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

We can’t see what’s going on behind the curtain, but we do know there’s not a fake wizard back there. The God who is working in the lives of our loved ones is the same God who was with Jeremiah and all the other Old Testament prophets—the very same ones who wondered when God was going to act and yet wrote so eloquently about His compassion, protection, mercy and justice.

So while we keep praying for Him to move, let’s encourage our hearts with this truth: that “the God of all grace, who called [us] to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support [us] after you have suffered a little.” (1 Peter 5:10)

♥ Lois

Feelings ebb and flow, depending on all kinds of internal and external stimuli. Faith, on the other hand, is based on a relationship with God, which is eternal. Share on X While God offers only one way to salvation, He relates to each mind and heart in a unique way, much like any other loving parent interacts with his or her children individually. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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The Key to Aging Joyfully

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Younger women have much to learn from older saints who have lived through hard times and yet still radiate joy at every turn. ~

We hear a lot about trauma these days. Much of it is not what we would have called trauma five or 10 years ago.

Whether we consider this development to be positive, unhelpful or somewhere in between, it’s clear the narratives surrounding the issue are constantly evolving and often vary depending on age.

Ask a Millennial or Gen-Z believer about the trauma in her life. Then turn around and ask an 80- or 90-year-old who has been following Jesus for many decades the same question. I can’t say this with 100 percent certainty, but you will probably get vastly different answers.

Why the Difference?

Some of this relates to personality, of course. Also to semantics and generational differences regarding how comfortable we are speaking about the hard things in life.

Even so, I think younger women (including Gen-Xers like me) could learn a great deal from much older Christians, especially the ones who radiate joy at every turn.

Chances are, these precious saints have faced a variety of challenges in their lives. Some were born in the Great Depression; many lived through World War II and all sorts of national upheaval over the years.

They might not be accustomed to talking about it. But they also may have experienced personal trials and losses that might be considered traumatic today, and for good reason.

Focusing on God

Even so, as they get closer to the ends of their lives, they choose to focus on God’s love and grace, on His goodness and provision, rather than on anything negative. Again, this might be a generational thing. But I also think it helps explain why they’ve been able to maintain such a joyful spirit all these years.

Attitude may not be everything, but it is something—this much is true.

I’m “only” 53, so I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about dying. I do ponder what I want to be like as I get older, though. Especially if I am fortunate enough to live to be very old.

Blessing After Blessing

Several weeks ago, I read a blog post about an 89-year-old woman who had been hospitalized for a serious illness right before Christmas. The blogger, Melissa Edgington, was amazed at how her friend described her time in the hospital.

“She told me about how she met Jesus there, in the days leading up to His birthday,” Melissa wrote here. “He sent a steady stream of doctors, nurses, and support staff to her side to show His love to her in personal ways. …

“She insisted that this experience was blessing after blessing after blessing,” Melissa added. “She knew that God had placed her exactly where she needed to be to know His love in a very tangible way through the caring hands of the people He created.”

Another Example

As I read this story, I couldn’t help but think of my own Aunt Renate. Now 93, she radiates the same kind of contentment and peace Melissa observed in her elderly friend.

I recently shared with Aunt Renate a piece I had written that referred to Romans 8:28—the truth that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. She told me she’s always believed the truth of that scripture, but each day she appreciates it more.

“All the things that have happened to me are truly because of God’s great love,” she wrote in an email. “If I had known how good they all are for me, I would have wanted them to happen. God is so good.”

That sort of perspective doesn’t come from constantly ruminating on all the bad things—past, present or future—in the world or in our lives. It comes from meditating on God’s character, thanking Him for His provision, trusting in His mercy and grace.

Walking Home Well

No matter how old we are, our long walk home to heaven will likely include some degree of grief and pain. But when I think about Aunt Renate and Melissa’s friend, I’m hopeful that it doesn’t have to be a miserable journey.

I don’t know if I’ll live to be 93. If I do, though, I hope Aunt Renate’s recent words to me will be the same words I freely share with others.

“I have had and am having a wonderful life,” she said. “I stand on all of God’s wonderful promises.”

♥ Lois

Younger women (including Gen-Xers like me) could learn a great deal from much older Christians, especially the ones who radiate joy at every turn. Share on X Our long walk home to heaven will likely include some degree of grief and pain. But it doesn’t have to be a miserable journey. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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Trusting God in the Wilderness: 20 Encouraging Truths

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: We may feel like we’re wasting time when we’re stuck in the wilderness, but these tough seasons can transform our hearts and prepare us for what’s next like nothing else. ~

The topic of the wilderness seems to be coming up quite a bit lately. I’m taking a Bible study at church about it. My blogger friend Michele Morin touched on it in our recent Q&A.

I’m not in a wilderness season myself—not right now, anyway. I’ve been there before, though, and I’m guessing you have too.

A former pastor described the wilderness as “a particular time or place between where you are and where God wants you to be.” It may seem like we’re wasting time while we’re there, but the truth is, these dry, desolate landscapes have the potential to transform our hearts and prepare us for what’s next like nothing else.

Years ago, in a class I taught at church, we talked about what the wilderness looks like, why it’s so hard and why God allows us to linger there. If you are trudging through a desert of your own right now, I hope the following truths gleaned from my lesson notes provide perspective and encouragement for you today.

Into the Wilderness

• Every Christian goes through wilderness experiences, some more than others.

• Not every hard or inconvenient thing is the wilderness.

• Sometimes we don’t know we’re in the wilderness until we’re well into it.

• Sometimes the wilderness is difficult because it’s so intense; sometimes it’s the length of time is that makes it hard.

• When we’re in the wilderness, we need to accept the fact that we are there and might be there for quite some time.

God is With Us

• God is sovereign over the wilderness. He tests us and may allow sifting, but whatever happens, we are never completely at the mercy of Satan.

• While in the wilderness, we should remember that God is with us, but not expect Him to live up to our expectations of what He will look like or do.

• When we are at the end of our rope in the wilderness, God will strengthen us.

• At our lowest points—laid bare with no idea how to move forward—we need to hold on to the realization that God is enough.

Life Goes On

• Life goes on in the wilderness. Just because we’re there doesn’t mean we’re going to be miserable all the time.

• When we get a respite in the wilderness, we should try to enjoy it. Cue a verse I’ve loved forever: “Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.” (Exodus 15:27)

• Things are not always as they seem in the wilderness. Just as deserts have mirages, so our foggy minds can play tricks on us. Cue another verse that is one of my go-to prayers: “Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me.” (Psalm 43:3)

Heart Work

• If we are in the wilderness due to no fault of our own, it’s because our loving heavenly Father deems it necessary. It’s the right place to be if He has allowed us to be there.

• If we get there because we’ve run away or made bad choices, God is still there. We need to move toward Him; He will redeem.

• God leads us and takes care of us in the wilderness, even when sin puts us there.

• It may be hard to see except in retrospect, but one heart issue that God often deals with in the wilderness is pride. (Ask me how I know.)

After the Wilderness

• Some wilderness experiences end victoriously; some end quietly.

• Even when we can see the wilderness in our rearview mirror, we may never be completely “over it.” Scars and sadness may always serve as reminders of where we’ve been and how it has affected us.

• The wilderness will change us, so our ministries may be completely different once we leave than they were before we got there. Remember: God doesn’t just have one assignment for us in life; He gives us different ones during different seasons.

• When the rough terrain becomes smooth again, we need to appreciate where we are, which is NOT in the wilderness.

Now that you’ve read my list, I would love to know: What has the wilderness taught you that you may not have learned somewhere else? Also, if you stopped on any of these points and thought, I’d love to read more about that one, let me know in the comments.

♥ Lois

While in the wilderness, we should remember that God is with us, but not expect Him to live up to our expectations of what He will look like or do. Share on X If we are in the wilderness due to no fault of our own, it’s because our loving heavenly Father deems it necessary. It’s the right place to be if He has allowed us to be there. Share on X The wilderness will change us, so our ministries may be completely different once we leave than they were before we got there. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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Share Four Somethings: February 2024

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: I tentatively post my first personal Instagram reel, return to a life-giving habit, write a guest post about God’s involvement in “all the days” of our lives and continue a new QA& feature on the blog. ~

I know there’s an extra day tacked on the end of the month, but doesn’t it seem like February has gone by way too fast?

One highlight for me was Family Weekend at my daughters’ college. This was the first and last time both girls were there for this event as students, so that made it even more special.

In addition to visiting dear friends from our years of living in Arkansas, we also attended a variety of campus activities, including a women’s basketball game. I don’t typically gravitate toward this sport, but since the team is ranked No. 13 in the country, it seemed like a fun option.

One player made eight three-point shots in the game. She kept nailing them, one right after another.

That’s How I Remember It, Anyway

When I looked up her stats, though, it turns out she actually attempted 18 three-pointers, which means she missed more than she made.

That doesn’t detract from her accomplishment, of course. In my mind, it simply reinforces how hard it is to make as many as she did.

As hockey great Wayne Gretzky famously said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Such sayings don’t normally impact my motivation levels that much, but Gretzky’s words hit home when I heard someone quote them on the radio earlier this month. They’re inspiring me in my current phase of life, which I’ve affectionately dubbed “knocking season” (see here and here for more on that).

Most of my ideas and plans won’t happen on their own, so I’ve been knocking on some doors and trusting God to open the ones He wants me to go through. While that’s going on, I’ve also been able to complete and/or return to some projects that I’ve had on the backburner for a while.

For this month’s riff on Share Four Somethings, I’m focusing on the blog linkup’s “Something Accomplished” category. Starting with …

• A Guest Post

If I had to list my all-time favorite Bible verses, Psalm 139:16b would be near the top. This scripture—“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”—has been a lifeline though some of the most uncertain and sorrowful seasons of my life.

In recent years, I’ve come to understand more fully how God’s sovereignty over “all our days” doesn’t just guide the beginning and the end of our lives, but also all the milestone dates and events in between. I wrote about this for the Sage Forum’s mid-month reflection this month. You can find it here.

• A “Real” Reel

Never have I ever filmed myself for an Instagram reel. I never really had reason to do so on my personal account (other than the requirements of the almighty algorithm, which I tend to ignore).

I’ve been told it would be helpful to share personal messages with the Remembering Our Parents Instagram community, but getting started with that always seemed daunting.

You’ll have to watch the reel to see why I finally decided to do it a few weeks ago. (It involved a promise to a friend that I didn’t really think I would have to keep.)

It took a few (well, more than a few, actually) tries, and there’s a technical issue with the sound that I didn’t notice until it posted. Overall, though, I think it turned out OK (thanks in large part to feedback from my husband and daughter).

Will this become a regular feature on Remembering Our Parents? I guess you’ll have to follow along to find out.

• A Helpful Habit

A few years ago, I started “fasting” from the Internet once a week. Aside from texting family members and playing music on Spotify, I went completely offline every Thursday. No email, social media or Google.

I loved this weekly break and kept it up for many months, maybe a year or two. Eventually, though—and I can’t tell you why—I let the habit go.

Then 2024 rolled around, and with it a variety of growth opportunities. And one day, around the middle of January, I thought, I should start taking a day off the internet again.

I did just that, and I think I’m loving it even more than I did the first time around.

On a recent phone call, I shared how I’d come back to this weekly habit. And get this: The friend I was talking to said she noticed a change in my voice when I started telling her about it.

That just goes to show what a burden these online spaces can become, and how important it is to take regular breaks from them. My friend encouraged me to think about adding in even more space, and I’m doing just that.

We each can come up with what works for us, but I think it’s safe to say that some kind of intentional internet fast—on whatever day or part of a day we choose—can only help.

• A New Blog Feature

When I worked as a newspaper reporter and magazine writer, one of my favorite parts of the job was asking people questions about their lives. Most often, I was writing articles about their businesses or other work-related topics, but it was always fun when the conversations became more personal.

I didn’t write many straight Q&As back then, but recently, I decided to try this genre out on the blog as a way to pick the brains (and hearts) of some of my favorite blogging friends.

We started out with a tender conversation about grief with Linda Stoll in early December. Last week, Michele Morin opened up about how God is using her recent Parkinson’s diagnosis to continue His refining work in her life.

Among other things, these interviews are rekindling my love for telling other people’s stories. I’m not sure about all the forms this may take in the future, but stay tuned for more Q&As here. I have a few planned, and I have a feeling they will be as encouraging as the ones I’ve already shared.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. How has February been for you? What have you learned, noticed, read or accomplished lately? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

I’ve come to understand more fully how God’s sovereignty over “all our days” doesn’t just guide the beginning and the end of our lives, but also all the milestone dates and events in between. Share on X We each can come up with what works for us, but it’s safe to say that intentional breaks from the internet—on whatever day or part of a day we choose—can only help. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with sharefoursomethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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Survival Skills for the Wilderness Seasons

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: In this Q&A interview, blogger Michele Morin talks about God’s sovereignty, managing Parkinson’s disease and how parenting has clarified her theology. ~

On the surface, my blogger friend Michele Morin and I are, well, as different as different could be.

She lives in Maine, I live in Kansas. She has four adult sons, I have two young adult daughters. She homeschooled her children; my girls went to public schools.

She has a flourishing vegetable garden; I have never successfully grown a tomato plant. She’s a gifted book reviewer; I’d rather go to the dentist than review a book.

Kindred Spirit

For all the differences, though, when I read her words at Living Our Days, I sense a kindred spirit. Not only because she appreciates C.S. Lewis and can a turn a phrase in a blog post like nobody’s business. I also value the wisdom of someone who is further down the parenting path than I am, who humbly holds fast to biblical truth, who rests in God’s sovereignty even when life doesn’t make sense.

Michele was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She weaves this journey into her writing here and there, which—in my view—has made her words even more relatable and encouraging. This is where we began when, via email, we had the following conversation.

• • •

LOIS: What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?

MICHELE: Sometimes being a pessimist is helpful. (However, I prefer to think of myself as a realist.)

For a year or two before my actual diagnosis, I had been paying attention to a slight tremor that involved only my right thumb. It was annoying but didn’t interfere with anything, so I just took note and moved on. I suspected Parkinson’s or something neurological, so I was relieved that it wasn’t a tumor or something worse.

Managing Parkinson’s disease is a little bit like having a part-time job. Regular exercise is the only factor proven to slow the progression of the disease. And I have a terrific physical therapist who prescribes movement to counteract the pain, stiffness, imbalance and tremor.

There’s no question that Parkinson’s disease is continually in the business of taking. Even so, in slowing me down and forcing me to think about activities that used to be automatic, it leaves behind the gift of simply being, balancing and breathing.

So I stand on one foot every morning and at the same time, I’m paying attention to the arrival of the light outside my kitchen window. I practice big movements and lie on the floor to stretch and strengthen. And all the while my heart and lungs oxygenate my blood without my having to lift a finger!

When the actual diagnosis came, it wasn’t a surprise, but I do remember asking God, “What are you thinking?” After all, I have a full and hectic life with kids, grandkids and a church family who depend on me, a ministry of teaching and writing that I love, and a husband who’s expecting to retire with me in a few years.

God’s response was swift but gentle: “Trust me.”

That’s my assignment.

LOIS: I suppose that is the case for all of us, isn’t it? Individualized lessons plans from the same loving Father? Did you have any hesitation about working your Parkinson’s journey into your writing?

MICHELE: Maybe it’s because I’ve been pretty open about so many of my challenges as a mother and a believer, but I don’t think it ever occurred to me NOT to write about the diagnosis and the management of the disease. It took me several months to get used to thinking of myself as a person with a chronic condition. But right from the beginning, it was clear to me that this particular affliction had been measured out to me for my good (somehow!).

Even more important, God was very present with His unique blend of strength and comfort. He “who comforts us in all our affliction” has in His mind the privilege of equipping us to “be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5, ESV).

LOIS: That’s such a comforting, helpful perspective. Looking back over your life–as the mom of four boys, as well as other roles and challenges–can you pinpoint a few ways God may have prepared you for this season?

MICHELE: My orientation to time is always toward the future, so this question required some digging and rummaging around in the past. Like a lot of young adult evangelicals who were coming of age in the 80s and 90s, I think my theology was larded through with a mixture of prosperity gospel and the prayer of Jabez.

Then I had children!

During a particularly intense season of homeschooling and parenting, I remember clearly the day I “heard myself” praying for my four sons, and it sounded like a page out of someone’s name-it-and-claim-it playbook.

I was asking for successful auditions, strong athletic performances and admission to the college of choice as if all this were my greatest hope in life.

When parents pray over an open Bible, the words of Scripture wrap themselves around the desires of our hearts and give us the words we don’t have. Therefore, while I would love to live on a planet where the “Christian kids” get full scholarships, never total their vehicles, marry believers and stay true to the faith for their entire lives, that is not what the Bible describes or promises.

Paying attention to my responses as a parent and being actively involved in the lives of fellow believers through the church I call home has been deeply clarifying to my theology. “Bad” things happen. Sixty-one-year-old grandmothers with full and challenging lives get Parkinson’s disease.

The question for me, then, is this: “What am I going to do with it?” Railing against it in anger or falling into a puddle of self-pity are not reasonable options given the existence of a God who is both sovereign and good.

LOIS: What a journey! The learning never ends, does it? As we wrap up this conversation, how does your belief in God’s goodness and sovereignty guide you, both on your own walk home to heaven and also as you seek to love your family of adult children as best you can?

MICHELE: This is a well-timed question because I’m working on a talk for an upcoming speaking engagement called “Survival Skills for the Wilderness.”

One thing I’ve noticed about myself and others is that no one ever volunteers for a wilderness, faith-testing experience. Yet we learn from the Old Testament that God does not take his people into the wilderness to abandon them there. The pathway of adversity is designed to show us what is in our hearts.

John Newton remembered his long wilderness days as “the Lord’s school.”

God wanted to make His people intensely conscious of their dependence and His power, so He met them there with the water of His grace. I will serve my family (and my readers) most faithfully by asking God to give me eyes to see what He provides as good, courage to relinquish what He withholds and faith to envision what He wants me to become as a result of the challenges He sovereignly assigns to me.

LOIS: The folks who attend your speaking engagement are in for a treat, Michele. Thanks so much for being with us this week.

• • •

Friends, if you’ve been encouraged by Michele’s story, feel free to leave her a message in the comments. If you’d like to read more of Michele’s words and soak up more of her wisdom, you can find her here.

♥ Lois

'When parents pray over an open Bible, the words of Scripture wrap themselves around the desires of our hearts and give us the words we don’t have.' ~ Michele Morin Share on X 'No one ever volunteers for a wilderness experience. Yet ... God does not take his people into the wilderness to abandon them there. The pathway of adversity is designed to show us what is in our hearts.' ~ Michele Morin Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photos provided by Michele Morin.

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When Taking the Next Step Makes You Second-Guess Yourself

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: What to do when you put yourself out there and immediately start questioning what you’ve done. Plus, an unexpected way to handle the wait when the outcome is out of your hands. ~

I wrote recently about being in a season of knocking.

Along with that, it seems, I’m also in a season of second-guessing. (More like third- and fourth-guessing, to be completely accurate.)

I knock, which right now looks like applying for this or submitting that or asking someone for help with the other thing. And then I wait for an answer.

And I Wonder

What on earth was I thinking? Did I say it wrong? Do they hate it? What if they say no? What if they say nothing?

Yep. Second-guessing, to the fifth power.

This is an uncomfortable spot for anyone, but especially for a person who tends to be more logical than not. I normally don’t spend much time second-guessing myself.

Plus, as I wrote here, I really do believe that God will open the right doors for us at the right time. I also believe that when a door comes along that looks like it could open to an opportunity (even if that possibility is remote), we should knock.

Why the Uptick?

Since now is my word for 2024, I’ve been putting this into practice with a little more urgency lately. Which, I suppose, explains the uptick in second-guessing. That, along with being a new empty nester with ideas about what I want to do when I grow up but less confidence when it comes to implementing those ideas.

Fledgling empty nesters aren’t the only ones who go through this, of course. Recent or soon-to-be retirees, college seniors about to graduate, middle-aged men who wonder what’s next, moms with kids about to enter school—all face question marks about what the future holds and the best way to move forward into it.

What I’m learning, in this season of “now,” is to knock on a door in the best way I know how, then mark it off my to-do list and move on.

Out of My Hands

It’s not that I forget I’ve sent the email or asked someone for help. But there’s nothing we can do to make people respond to us. So when I’m tempted second-guess, I’m trying to remind myself that it’s now out of my hands.

That way, I’m not sitting around waiting on pins and needles. And if the answer I hope for comes, all the better.

I readily admit this is easier said than done. But having a plan in place is helpful.

I’m also learning to pay close attention to how God is moving in the lives of other people. Not to compare, but to be encouraged.

More to the Story

When something good happens to someone else, there’s usually a story behind the story. And it often comes out in their actual words.

“I struggled for years to figure this out, and then this one thing fell into place and it became clear.”

Or, “I thought I had to do it this way for so long, but then someone suggested this, and now I know how to proceed.”

We usually have no idea what preceded a breakthrough for anyone else. Rather than think, “Why her and not me?” when someone shares a story of God’s provision, let’s take heart and remember our faithful God will work out His plans for us too.

On His Timetable, Not Ours

This can be a challenge for those of us who like to read the end of the book first. There’s no peeking ahead during knocking season, however.

We don’t often get a divine message that says, “This is the way, walk in it” (see Isaiah 30:21).

More often, our prayer must be, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

One step leads to the next. Over and over again. In big ways and little ways.

• • •

Are you in a knocking season? Has it been accompanied by bouts of second-guessing? Tell us about it in the comments so we can encourage each other to keep moving forward in faith.

♥ Lois

I’m learning to pay close attention to how God is moving in the lives of other people. Not to compare, but to be encouraged. Share on X Rather than think, 'Why her and not me?' when someone shares a story of God’s provision, let’s take heart and remember our faithful God will work out His plans for us too. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with One Word 2024, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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