The Thrill of Watching God Work

     Lately I have been wrapped up in the absolute thrill of seeing God's hand on my life.  It is amazing what happens when you make yourself available to Him and ask Him to use you.  The problem for me is that I ask Him to use me and then forget to be ready.  When I have been ready, though, it's been incredible!
     The fact that you are reading this is a perfect example.  I never dreamed of writing a blog.  What I longed for was the opportunity to share with ladies what the Lord has done for me and how much He loves them.  So, we find ourselves here.  Me sharing with you.  See what I mean?  Dear friend, please let me tell you that Jesus loves you more than you could possibly imagine.  John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us.  Only because of Jesus can we have God's forgiveness for the filthy sin of our lives. 
     Tomorrow I have the intense pleasure of teaching again.  The beautiful ladies in my class are growing in their own walks with God, and as they do, I do.  As one of the girls said this week, "I don't always like where He is taking me."  She and I are both stepping out to follow a path we hadn't really planned.  She and I are going to have something great to share soon as we open our lives up to other women and encourage them in their Christian walk.  Just a few minutes ago I got a text from a young woman, a recent college grad, who now has a full-time job --- with benefits!  Answered prayer!  Another lady is just beginning her walk with Jesus and is tasting the freedom of life in Christ for the first time.  All of these women are examples of God's hand on my life.  I am learning so much from them.  They have real faith and are willing to be who God has made them to be.
     Take a few minutes to reflect on how you have seen God work in your life lately.  Think about the past week, month, and year.  As I look back at my own life, this is what I see:
     The past week - seven very full days.  As a church family we grieved the death of a man we will miss a lot.  Together we celebrated his life and the knowledge that he is walking in heaven.  God challeneged me through the days of remembering Chuck.  I am hearing it over and over:  People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.   People need the Lord. Chuck wasn't afraid or embarrassed to ask anyone he met if they knew Jesus. I stand before you convicted and aware of my failure at sharing the name of Jesus.
     Also this week, confirmation from God came through a dear friend.  An idea for a mentoring group had been tumbling through my thoughts.  This sweet, shy lady came to me Wednesday night and said, "I think there are women who need (a particular study, challenge, and support.) "   Random?  Coincidence?  No way!  Now the two of us will form two groups.  We will meet with other ladies and study the word of the Lord on a particular topic.  My own group even grew to a couples group with my husband stepping up to meet with the husbands of the girls I am learning, praying, and growing with.  Wow!!
    The past month seems like a year almost.  My husband and I have had fun finding our empty-nester identity as our daughter begins her senior year of college.  We have had fun walking, talking, and laughing.  We found a house for his mom.  It is close to us -we can see it from our own home.  He seems so relieved that she will be close and we will be able to get to her quickly if she needs us. Even though she didn't live far away now, the closeness of this new home brings a sense of security.   
     This month I have had the opportunity to learn from the teaching of a young man who passionately loves God.  I have had the opportunity to share the work of the Lord by sharing my pictures and stories of my trip to Haiti.  I have gone back to work and learned a lot about myself and my husband.  He has stood up for me and affirmed my desires for some things that need to change.  I stood amazed as God used me in a couple of ways that I never expected.  There isn't time here to share the last year - that would take a book!
     What about you, my friend?  How have you seen God work in your life?  Has He taken your passions and opened doors for you to serve others?  Have you basked in the peace that comes from walking with Jesus?  Are you able to say, "He definitely has answered my prayer."
     It is thrilling to see God's hand on your life.  Sometimes there is pain, and I have been through that in the just last couple of days.  We are not promised sunshine and rainbows for every minute of life.  In fact, there is thunder rolling around me right now, but that sound brings hope.  Hope for rain.  Hope for an end to the drought that has killed our garden, plants, and turned the grass crispy brown.  The earth is so dry that the deluge that is coming will not be absorbed at first.  Gradually the ground will soften and the water will be absorbed. So it is with our spiritual lives.  After we have turned away from God for a period of time, we become hard, dry, and cracked.  If we are willing to allow the Lord to pour over us, He will refresh our souls and new growth will begin.  Only then can we rejoice in the changes He makes in us.  Only then can we find the thrill of seeing God work in our lives.
     Friend, I hope you have experienced that thrill. I would love to hear how God is working in your life.  What have you seen Him do lately?  Leave me a comment and tell me how you are growing in Christ.