What's that you said?

     It's amazing what a casual conversation can do to your inner-drive.  I went to the doctor today to get my medicine refilled.  While I was there I asked a casual question.  I got a casual answer...but an answer that held so much power.  Life altering power.
     I'm not going into that conversation here; I'll save that for my journal.  Don't worry, it's not anything major.  It's just how he said what he said that made it so real to me today.  All of a sudden those things I know and know well became important to ME, about me.
     All the way home I kept thinking, what if I had that kind of a conversation with God?  What if I just sat quietly with him.  No distractions.  Nothing else as important as that conversation.  And, instead of doing all the talking, I stopped to listen.  I mean, what if I listened so intently that all those verses I've been reading for years finally meant something important to me, about me!
     For example.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  That's from the NIV.  Another version says it this way: With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.  Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.
     How many times have you heard this verse?  Many of you reading this may claim it as your "life verse" or favorite verse.  That's awesome!  For me, it takes on new meaning today.  Much of the time I trust my own judgment.  I lean on my own understanding.  I try to speed ahead down a path of my own choosing and don't wait for the Lord to prepare the way for me.  (By the way, I HATE waiting!)  Do I always let Him lead me?  No.  I feel safe saying that none of us do ALL of the time. 
     God tells us plainly that His ways are not the same as ours.  His way is perfect.  My way falls apart much of the time.  I make plans and they may or may not happen.  I decide to do a project, but don't have the strength or abilities to follow through.  I think I know, but I don't. 
     My prayer for myself (and for you) is that I (and you) will slow down and listen.  I want to be still and KNOW that He is God.  Friend, will you take time to listen to the answers He is waiting to give to the questions you are asking?  Let's try it.  I promise you, the answers He gives will change your life!