“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5 NKJV

At my request, my friend came a day early so we could attend a particular church Sunday morning. With plans secure, we chatted until midnight before turning in.

I felt confident everything was fine as I crawled into bed. But I couldn’t sleep! My heart was clearly being pulled in another direction. Was it me? Or did God want us somewhere else? The struggle continued relentlessly. Finally, at 3:30 am, I texted my friend to sleep a bit longer; we were going to a different church.

From the opening prayer to the invitation, God clearly had a plan. When the pastor left his seat and leaned over the pulpit to watch the kids, I knew something was going on. Though they had not conspired, the children’s story would be the perfect prelude to his message.

As we stood for the invitation hymn, my friend slipped past me to the altar. After praying with the pastor, she told the congregation that God had clearly spoken to her heart, cleared up some issues, and given her peace. Pastor had us sing the invitation again, and a man came forward to join the church.

I’m telling this story for three reasons.

• #1 Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. He loves us and has our best interests in mind.
• #2 Learn to recognize God’s nudges in your life. Be willing to go in a different direction. This is hard for me; I am very self-willed. But God is patient (and persistent)!
• #3 Pray daily for our pastors, church leaders, and congregations to be faithful to His leading.

Each time I write an article, I am reminded that it is your prayers and support that keep me going. God created us to need one another. He calls us ‘family’! WOW!

Thank you for your notes, prayers, and encouragement. Tell someone about Jesus this week, then tell me.

Hugs,

Susie