I’ve been intentional about making goals for myself that are attainable. My experience with making big declarations and not being able to follow through doesn’t serve me. One of my personal and attainable goals was to read two or more books. I let audible books count. One of the first audiobooks I listened to was by Andy Andrews called “The Little Things.” Great read/listen, and I highly recommend it. We’ve all heard the phrase “Don’t sweat the little things.” In this book, Andy uncovers why the little things do matter. I’ve seen the little things matter in my life too. Here’s an example.
A little thing like how I word my prayers.
I hadn’t been working very long at CPL, but my ability to connect with my boss was lacking. I felt a lot of stress and pressure absorbing work that was not supposed to be mine, I could not juggle all the different undecided policies that no one would put into place, and I felt like I was not improving in the role I was hired for. I was trying to figure out what my end goal was with my boss. I did not want to work for him, but I felt obligated to do the best job I could and not quit. I kept praying about it. “God, help me with my boss. Let me know what the end game is.”
On May 3rd, I finished the chapter from Andy’s book “a little thing like not quitting.” I told myself I wouldn’t quit. No matter how difficult the situation was, no matter unhappy I was, and no matter how unappreciated I felt, I was not going to quit. On May 4th at the end of the day, I was terminated from CPL. I was not given a reason. It came as a shock to me somewhat. I cried. I got angry. But I did not stay there.
Another prayer I started praying was “Stretch my faith.” I started praying this because my church went through a series called Mountain Mover. Learning that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. I have been so grateful for the way my relationship with God has changed. I notice Him working instead of it just being background noise.
It was not in my plan to be unemployed, but God was just answering my prayers. He showed me the end game with that boss. I was not made to work with him. I don’t need to have that mean anything bad about me or him. Also, what a great way to stretch my faith. My God will provide all that I need. I may not have my regular flow of income, but I have all that I need and then some.
I had the opportunity last week to serve as kitchen staff
during an Advance Leadership Seminar through Klemmer. I got to see God do
miracles because of the way I chose to pray.
The first miracle was multiplying food. These students could eat. They were hungry, hungry men and some women too. One of the breakfast items was 180 scrambled eggs. We’d run out before. I chose to pray over the food to multiply. I know that God cares about people eating. That’s why He let Jesus feed the crowds of people listening to His message. I prayed that everyone would have more than enough. That morning, we had leftovers.
The second miracle I got to be a part of is healing. The
whole week had been long hours of being on my feet, picking up heavy dishes,
and moving around with a sense of urgency to make sure everything was accomplished
and accomplished well. Friday night, I kept trying to get back to my cabin to
go to sleep, but I would get caught up in new conversations with every attempt I made.
Eventually, I was on my way back with my kitchen staff buddy Patty. I thought, ‘Finally,
we are both on the same road to the cabin.’ Alas, we sat down at a medal picnic
table almost halfway to the cabin.
Instead of getting upset, I allowed myself to enjoy the rest
too. A student was walking down the path toward his cabin and ended up sitting
across from me at the picnic table. Patty seemed to know more about him than I
did. He shared with us how much the seminar has been helping him. He mentioned
he had a head injury. I felt God tug at me to pray for his healing. “I’m tired,
God. I don’t want to.” That was my initial thought. Then I remembered the promise I
made him after my Personal Mastery seminar. “I won’t say no to Your tugging.”
I asked the man if I could pray for him. He got up and took
my seat so I could lay my hands on his head. I felt the way God was moving in
this man’s life so strongly. I prayed boldly for his healing. I prayed for God
to equip him for the spiritual battles that awaited him back home. I held
nothing back from what I felt God was telling me to speak even when it made
little sense to me.
He told me the next day that he is healed. His head felt clear.
The third miracle was flying home. In my excitement for
staffing at the Advance Leadership Seminar my parents were attending and
getting the flights at the same time to get there, I overlooked a detail about the
flights coming home. Our flights to our destination were the same, but my layover
flight home was different. My parents were going to leave at 1:30pm and arrive
home at 6pm. My flight didn’t leave until 7pm and I wouldn’t have gotten home until
midnight. I was not pleased with myself when I noticed the detail checking in
on Saturday (leaving Sunday). I was sitting at a table with Patty when I prayed
this terrible prayer, “God, please help me get onto the earlier flight, or if I
can’t let me be okay with staying forever at the airport.” Patty then asked if she
could give me some feedback. I said yes. Not word for word, but she basically said
this, “What kind of prayer is that? What are you really asking for?” I changed
my prayer. “God, let me change flights to the earlier flight home.”
The next day, I specified my prayer even more, “Change my flight for free.” Though Connie did not have the best attitude, she did get me on standby for the earlier flight for free. My next prayer was “I am on that flight.” When we arrived at the gate, the emergency window seats were available. I got my miracle seat.
I have a daily prayer list. I made sure to edit some of my requests to be more specific because I’m going to be careful what I pray for. God is listening. I still have on my list to stretch my faith. I like seeing mountains move.
One of my prayer requests is for finances for Divine Timing Ministries. Divine Timing Ministries is a safe place for women post-abortion to be heard without judgment so they can prosper and grow. Abortion is a lie told by society that it is an easy fix to a problem. There is a wake of hurt that comes with believing this lie. Our board would like to create an in-person retreat center for these women who are post-abortion to come and receive healing. Only by receiving healing can these women rise up against the lie that abortion is.
Diving Timing Ministries has officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you’d like to be an answer to prayer, please donate to our cause. I’ll be getting more information about how to donate soon. Every dollar counts. I serve a God who multiplies, heals, and cares about the details of my life and those around me.
I’d love to hear what you are praying for, hear your miracle stories, and connect with you. Love you!
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