You Are Not Alone: No Matter What Season of Your Life

Last night I was not alone as I made my decision. There were, and still are so many choices for what to do. I want to serve. Plain and simple, I want to serve, but I want my service to be in a direction God wants me to go. I once read a book called, Hearing God. It was a book in the church library where we attended many years ago in Illinois. It was a bit of a long read if you looked up all of the Scriptures. I cannot remember the author now, but it opened my eyes to a lot of things I had not known and many things I had forgotten over the years. My heart was in somewhat of a good place, but I had so much more growth to pursue in my relationship with God so I could hear Him.

A few years later I read Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and used the workbook with it (information below). I went from hearing God to experiencing God. Sometime a few years later the reality show of my life began. Sometimes I searched and served God whole-heartedly, then half-heartedly, then whole-heartedly--well you get the picture. It depended where I was in life, and besides that, I had to make it interesting for those who watched the program! Isn't that how reality shows flow? The reality was that I was living the average human life believing "I can do it by myself" as one of our nieces used to proclaim when someone tried to help her with anything! In advance, let me warn you, if you have been or are a servant follower of God, it is not a good thing to proclaim, because, as if living a reality show, it just doesn't work in the long run. I might have entertained people, but I suffered by forgetting what Christ had done for me. I would do my own thing, then come back and beg God for forgiveness while asking for His direction when I got into trouble. This kind of reality-show living made me miserable, as well as those around me.

I have read a lot of books since, but the most important one is the Bible. All those years of reading was a great idea and I did progress in my spiritual life to a small degree. However, only reading the Bible for Sunday services and a weekly Bible study is not enough. I found out this past August that I am not alone and the Bible opened that truth to me. I retired from my job as a preschool teacher in a Christian school and from many years of being the wife of a church pastor. I felt all alone in a sea of people. I was tired and needed a major refueling of spiritual adrenaline. When the supply of adrenaline is low or out, there is a breakdown in emotional and physical abilities (Florence Littauer's book below). I came to my knees out of sheer physical need, but mostly spiritual need, and I promised God I would study His word every day before I did anything else even if I slept until noon (that very seldom happened!) I asked His forgiveness and realized serving Him, studying about Him and His attributes is the best way to spend the day. I had no children at home, so you would think that would be easy, that it would be something I could do easily. Not so, even though my husband was at work and I was alone, I was spiritually broken and my body was down and weary. It was a difficult thing to make myself do. It was easier to just wallow in self pity since I was feeling so low.

Since I retired in August, 2020, I have put all of my daily energies into a private session with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God the Father. I have been pursuing God's truth in You Version, a free app for your phone or computer. It's a great springboard and gives me a direction to follow at the beginning of my day. When I begin reading the Scripture from the daily study (audible or written--the Bible version you are comfy with), I end up reading more and more and becoming so absorbed in it that time flies. I don't schedule appointments or other events until the afternoon because I get so involved. I take notes on colorful index cards and share much of the Scripture on My FB Story and am enjoying sharing what I've learned with anyone else who will read my posts.

My decision last night, or was it the wee hours of morning, I decided I didn't need to seek a money-making home-based business if I follow God. I had given all over to Him but was venturing out pursuing ways to help financially and waiting for doors to close if I wasn't supposed to do this or do that. Isn't that hearing God? No it is not. I must put all searching for a job aside and allow the Holy Spirit to work and guide me. I will write in this blog, try to serve God by sharing Him with others, even those whom I do not know. That is hearing God. 

After all of my years of raising children, having grandchildren, and being married to the same man for 44 years, I can say, I am not alone. I know for a fact God is here, very near and creating in me a brand new way of living I had missed. The only advice I have for those who are reading right now, is this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love those who come into contact with you as much as you love yourself. When you hurt and mistreat others, acquaintances or not, you hurt and mistreat God. God is truth. God is love. You are not alone because He is always there whether you want Him there or not.

Below at the top left is the work book and top-right is the day-by-day study for Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing God. The book Personality Plus by Florence Littauer is the book I read about the body hormone, adrenaline, and what the lack of it does to your body. All are available new or used. I wanted to post them, but my prayer for you is that first, you will download the free app,You Version and begin the daily study given or choose your own plan. Let me know how you like about the Bible app. Second, find a book if you just can't work from the app. Some people can't because they have to have a real book to hold. It's okay. You still are not alone.

 

 

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:22 

• Claim one or more Bible verses, of your choice, after you get comfortable with your study
• Set aside the time, even if it's while you and the kids are waiting in the car for more than five minutes. After all, You Version is an app on your phone.
• Don't let anything  get in the way even if it seems important
• Keep yourself from getting distracted by what you see or what you think of while spending time with God.
• Set a timer for prayer so you don't fall asleep or follow other thoughts that tempt you. Five minutes the first few days, then increase by 1-5 minutes. Soon, you will want to continue to pray long after the timer goes off and prayers will flow.

Remember you are not alone. God is with you and I am praying for you, even though I may not know you by name. Leave me a message!