Just Call Me Gideon...

This was today's devotional for my beautiful church ladies. The daily scripture readings can be found at http://www.thefamilychurch.cc/, if you'd like to follow the reading plan. Just click on the resources link! Hello friends! Today's Old Testament reading comes from the book of Judges, chapters 6 and 7. This is the story of Gideon. I love this story! I can remember my dad telling me this story when I was a kid. He would explain to me how Gideon was small and from a small tribe, and that when God called him, Gideon didn't think he was qualified. My dad explained how Gideon tested God to make sure it was really Him. As the story ended, I can remember my young self being dumbfounded at how Gideon would not "know" it was God, and that he would be so bold as to test GOD! And now here I am some years later, and I realize....I HAVE BEEN GIDEON! I have heard the still small voice of God in my life, and then said "God if this is REALLY you, then _____," and "Surely God you don't want ME to do THAT," and I know I've said "Well, I think I know what you want me to do God, but I'm going to pray about it longer." So before we look at Gideon and think "How could he doubt God??," maybe we need to look at our own lives and ask how are WE doubting God? Are we demanding tests, when God has clearly laid something upon our hearts? Do we not see ourselves as big, or as capable, as God does? Are we hiding behind prayer, when we know God's will for us? The beautiful thing about this story is that God allowed Gideon's tests. He tolerated his doubt, patiently reassuring him that He was in fact God. God does the same for us, giving us time to learn to hear his voice, letting us work through our fear of trusting Him completely. But I wonder, how much greater is the reward if we could trust right away and act in the very moment God calls us? I am praying for this kind of faith and discernment to know God's path for my life. Praying for you as well! Much love!

Fog....Yes it IS Spiritual!

Good morning! Ok, so I live in south Louisiana....like SOUTH Louisiana on the Mississippi! If you haven't been in these parts of the state, let me tell you a little something about spring time: it's FOGGY!! I am talking about fog that makes even my husband drive 20 miles under the speed limit! (That's a miracle in itself, ok?)

When I got in my car this morning there was no fog, but as I drove closer to work, suddenly I was blanketed in this thick moisture. I could not see more than 10 feet in front or to the side of me. And then I felt my heart cry out "God, I want to blanketed in your love like this fog."

Ok, I know that sounds stupid, cliche, or whatever. But I started thinking about this prayer, and how beautiful to be blanketed in God's love?? I realized that in that "blanket" nothing could see me, target me, distract me. I was enveloped in the covering and focused on my destination. Cliche as the analogy may be, that thought was awesome.

I am so amazed at the ways God can speak to us through our earthly surroundings. Praying you find this encouraging, and that you also look for God around you this week! Much love!!