Day 29 Much to Learn

 

1/29/2026

"As white snowflakes fall quietly and thickly on a winter day.

answers to prayer will settle down upon you at every step you take, 

even to your dying day. The story of your life will be the

story of prayer and answers to prayer."

O. Hallesby

"Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life."

Psalm 23:6

 

Yesterday I was sharing that I was going through a new season of re-learning what it means to be content in my circumstances. I've never really been a materialistic type, and I've never been one to be envious of others or want more than I have. I always thought of what I "needed" rather what I "wanted." I think that comes with my upbringing. My daddy worked hard, and he provided for our needs, but we didn't have many frills. Mama sewed, and she taught me to sew and craft, and it's helped me pay my bills and put clothes on my children's backs and food on the table. My sons always told me that I put others first, and they each encouraged me to do what I want to do with how many years I have left on this earth when I retired in 2018. They didn't mean that in a negative way, and I don't think that they thought I was about to kick the proverbial bucket. They feel that my life has been too much giving and not enough getting, or something like that. They understand that I enjoy being able to help those who need help. I've seen too many people making wills for after they die when their families need the help now. The scriptures speak about that in Proverbs 3:27: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." or in Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially tho those who are of the household of faith." Even the Apostle John had a few words to say about it: 

By this we know love, because He (Jesus) laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down  our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment" (1 John 3:16-23).

My mama and daddy always helped us when we needed support, and they expected nothing in return. I think that's a wonderful way to be. Mama always said "It's more blessed to give than receive," and to give her flowers while she's alive, so she can enjoy them, not after she's dead. I have often thought about those words when I'm trying to help someone who needs assistance or support. Of course I worked in social service type jobs the latter part of my career, so that type of behavior should be a expected. Sadly, it's not. People often only want to do what is required, and then only between certain hours. But fortunately, not all are like that, or else our world would be in a worse fix than it is now. 

There are many scriptures in the Bible that speak of helping our fellow human beings when they are in need. Jesus certainly spoke of helping widows and orphans, and then there is the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus Himself gave everything, so should be do less?! Sometimes I think I should have sought out Mother Teresa and her ministry to the people of Calcutta. There's a movie I saw once, City of Hope, about a doctor who was helping the people who live in the garbage heaps in downtown Calcutta. It breaks my heart to see anyone live in squalor, but seeing children go without really breaks my heart. I'm a broken record when it comes to lamenting about the lives so many children have lived. 

Earlier this morning in the global prayer call with Israel, what's happening in Iran with the people rebelling, tired of living in the shackles of a dictator, waiting to see what, if anything, America and Israel will do occupied the call. Everyone waits. In the meantime here on the home front of America and elsewhere in the world, the question of rising antisemitism and Sharia Law being imposed in our cities are topics of concern. The world is in total chaos and so far from the lawful and orderly manner of life before 10/7/2023 when Hamas massacred so many unsuspecting Jewish citizens in their sleep, in their homes. Drugged up murderers, spurred on after being indoctrinated by the hatred of Islam. Now it's spreading and civil wars are erupting in the streets of America. What has happened to reason? But the worst thing is: Where is the church? Busy doing what makes their churches grow, apathetic or unconcerned about anything that is going on elsewhere. Or they are deceived and lost in the wrong theology or listening with itching ears chasing anyone who says they are a prophet. Again, there seems to be no attention paid to what Jesus said would happen in these last days. Awaken from your slumber!

Before my life took this detour, I had asked Abba to give me a church where I could serve again and become a viable part of the body of Christ, just as I used to enjoy. I wanted a "normal" life where people noticed when I wasn't in church, and they actually called to check up on me to see if I was well and safe. This has not happened since I have been here, at least not with churches I have attended and supported. Even when I made the initial call to let the pastor know about my son's accident, I haven't received a call or text for almost two months. Why is this? "Praying for you" without follow up isn't much of a help, or do I ask too much?! Perhaps I shouldn't even mention it, but I have a son who's been mistreated by the established church, and abandoned and misrepresented. He's had his share of deep-rooted problems and challenges, but he has a desire to "belong" also. Once, as I was talking to Abba about a similar situation, I heard Him clearly say to me "You belong to Me." I think that's all I really needed to hear, and He does remind me still. I felt I needed to ask His forgiveness for wanting to be normal and have a church appreciate and "need" me. After all I am supposed to be "content." I say this with a smile on my face. I like Paul can say:

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Philippians 4:11-12).

Paul is saying that,  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippines 4:13), because he has learned to be content no matter the circumstances of his life. And if Paul can say that, so can I. He had his eyes on Jesus and eternity that laid ahead when his time on earth was done. And this is what I have heard God tell me so many time, especially since returning home, "Keep your eyes on the Commander of the Armies of Heaven." In church services I've heard Him say, "Focus on "Me," not that person to the left whose on their cell phone during the sermon or the elder in the back of the church scrolling on his cell phone during worship or prayer. I remember the words God spoke to someone I know: "I want you to look at each person you meet as more important than you are, because they are." God can be very direct, and honestly, that's the way I like it. I want my life surrendered and transformed by His will. I invite the pressing, the sharpening, and the molding of my life into conformity, so I can become more like Jesus. The teapot that needs to be stuck back into the refining fires, so that the cracks don't come. I'm a work in process, a chunk of clay on the spinning wheel with God's great hands forming me in to a vessel fit for the Master's use. Sometimes I get dizzy on that spinning wheel, but one day I'll walk away finished and glazed to perfection. Until then, I have much to learn about Kingdom living and growing in grace. I will be content with the process and wait for the answers to come in due time, God's good time, not mine. Selah.