pray for you Archives -

Help! I Need a Friend!

Won’t You be My Friend?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7

Yesterday, I met with an author friend for a brief chat over coffee at 9:30 AM. (We had talked about meeting for months.) I knew she needed encouragement. What I failed to realize is how great my personal need was as well.

We chatted and prayed and cried and laughed. We prayed and cried and … you get the picture! Like the tiny kitty, we were helpless on our own; we needed a shoulder to cry on.

Two little girls across the room kept watching us and smiling back. With their Mom’s permission, I gave each of them a Little Bible to put in their pockets. And my friend and I continued to pray and cry and …

Soon, the mother came to our table to introduce herself and tell us she had just started selling Tupperware. As we exchanged information, she signed up for my newsletter and thanked me again for the girls’ Bibles. And I’m thinking, “I don’t need any Tupperware, however…”

As my friend and I prepared to leave, we made a date for next week—same time, same place. We vowed to pray for one another as we work toward our goals. For the record, our “brief chat” ended at 1:30 PM! (I accomplished more at home the next three hours than I would have done all day without the four-hour meeting!)

Do you have a friend like that? Someone you can confide in? A safe place to share your deepest fears and shortcomings? Someone who will lift you up in prayer? I challenge you to take time (MAKE time) for meaningful relationships.

The ultimate BFF is Jesus. He never leaves us. Do you know Him, really know Him?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hugs,

Susie

Help, Lord, I Need You

Forsaken Tiger Yearns for a Glimmer of Hope

“Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.” 1 Peter 3:15 TLB

News of the day can be depressing. Praying for our leaders seems hopeless. Any sense of “normal” is surely gone forever. All creation yearns for peace and stability.

Today I was reminded—yes, convicted—of my role and responsibility as a Child of God in challenging times.

It is, after all, my personal choice. Do I join in the discussion, the tearing down of a person? Or, do I instead pray and trust God to help me see others, including our president, as His creation? Teach me, Father, to pray for his soul, for his family, and his responsibilities, just as I would have others pray for me.

Here are a few choices I have made for myself as the political atmosphere continues to heat up.

#1. I can seriously ask God for forgiveness for my attitude, and my lack of faith in His leading. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 Click here to read all of 1 Peter 5.

#2. I can obey God as I pray for the current and future presidents and all those in authority. “ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people; for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

#3. I can remember it is God Who puts people in power. Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13, 15. Paul and Peter were not excusing wrong behavior. They were being persecuted, yet they were honoring God with their obedience.

#4. I can be honest with God. To obey Him as above does not mean I understand or even like what happens. I can tell God I don’t get it, I’m unhappy, confused, and hurting.

#5 I can pray for wisdom and a softened heart! “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

#6 I can be thankful in all things! I am reminded that our mission as Christians is not to change the nation through political reform, but to change hearts through the Word of God.

Thank you for praying for me and for each other. I know God’s continual tugging at my heart is in answer to the faithful, loving prayers of others. Beloved, now more than ever, we need each other.

Please let me know how I can pray for you. And thanks for taking the time to comment below.

Hugs,

Susie

Turn Trials and Heartaches into Thankfulness

Orchids from a friend’s garden bring joy.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Loved ones can’t come home this holiday season. Too many friends and family have been touched by illness and death. Care facilities aren’t allowing visitors for those who seem to need it most. Jobs are lost, wages cut. Political news is depressing.

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How in the world can we be thankful?

To be thankful in all things is to acknowledge what is right about God in praise and thanksgiving. Life may seem a mess, but God never changes.

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As I pray for each of you in your various circumstances, I ask God to fill you with His Presence and Enduring Love.

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Suffering the loss of a loved one: Holidays are hard. There is a part missing. I pray we can rejoice in the fact that we had that loved one in our life. Thank God for all the good memories; the life you shared; the promise of Heaven.

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Having loved ones in a facility you can’t visit: We will find creative ways to communicate. We will be thankful for those who care for our loved ones. I pray for peace and comfort as we trust Him to meet every need.

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Confined at home due to illness: We will be thankful we have a warm home, food, and the necessities. We will spend time in prayer, Bible reading, watching inspirational programs, enjoying music. We will do our best to replace negative thoughts with positive actions: explore a hobby, call a friend, write a letter, clean a closet. (Oops, how did that get in here?)

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Lost wages or job: We will learn to be content with what we have because God has said, “… never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 For many of us, we will learn to make do with what we have. We will dust off the cookbook and relearn to ‘cook from scratch’. We may need to find a needle and thread and do some mending! (Oh, yikes!)

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As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I pray you will find His Peace sufficient for your every need. I pray for you to be surrounded by those who love Him and love you. I pray you will drop me a note so I can pray with you, and rejoice with you.

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You are a blessing to me in these changing times, I thank God for you.

Hugs,

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