10/12/2011

What Are You Trying to Teach Me, Lord?


In my mind, this was the week to settle back into my writing routine. I looked forward it. Planned for it. By Monday morning i was almost giddy in anticipation. 

Then, as often happens, life intervened. A sick child. Errands that demanded attention. Suddenly my day had slipped away. I did a little bit of writing, but not what I’d intended to accomplish. At first, I was frustrated, determined to recover those lost hours later in the night. To push myself harder and longer. But as I sat down with my Bible and my journal, I found a question rolling around in my mind.

What are you trying to teach me, Lord?

So many times when situations batter my well-laid plans, I sniff Satan in the air. But this time, I stopped to consider. Was this a moment for pushing through the obstacles— or for embracing them? 

It occurred to me that perhaps the Lord didn’t want me to start  fumbling around with the new story yet. Perhaps He desired me to slow down, not speed up. To enjoy a day of my son at home, albeit sick, when I hadn’t seen him for almost two weeks. Perhaps He used those situations to stay my hand, to let ideas simmer a little longer, to allow some new thought or situation to invade the story world. To trust that when He said, “Go,” that He would keep unexpected distractions at bay, as He has so often done before. 

I pondered this. Took a deep breath and set aside my lofty agenda. Not in laziness or procrastination, but with a firm belief that the Lord was asking this of me. Only time will tell, I guess, if I read the situation rightly. But given the peace that took control of my heart that day, my guess is that I did. 
Sometimes God doesn’t ask me to accomplish. Sometimes He just asks me to be. 

9 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Very cool comment on my blog today. Thanks!

I had a weird thing happen this morning...heard some sniffing, too. I wallowed in bed unable to sleep, thinking about a past hurt.

Then I got up and read an email that sort of rubbed a little more salt in the wound. I fretted for most of the morning and then I keep coming to posts like this one...that remind me WHERE and WHO I need to go to to restore peace.

Thanks in ways you can't imagine!
~ Wendy

Anonymous said...

This is such a peaceful reminder for me to keep things in perspective. Thank you.

Anne Mateer said...

And I, Wendy, often wonder what I'm doing with my tiny corner of cyberspace and if it means anything at all. And you just reminded me that I'm being obedient and that God uses even my feeble words sometimes. Thank you.

Anne Mateer said...

You are welcome, VV. We all (me included!) need that reminder!

Anonymous said...

"So many times when situations batter my well-laid plans, I sniff Satan in the air. But this time, I stopped to consider. Was this a moment for pushing through the obstacles — or for embracing them?" This is exactly where I find myself lately. Thank you for the timely reminder that all distractions are not bad, and that God may have an amazing blessing in store during the waiting.

Unknown said...

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Robin said...

So true, dear friend! Keep "being"...the doing will get done!

Andrea Strong said...

I'm hearing similar sentiments in a lot of places. I'm beginning to think God is trying to tell me something too.

I thank Him for people like you who follow his leading and voice these thoughts, so the thickheaded ones like me can get the picture.

Thanks, Anne!

PS I'm almost done formatting your interview! /squeeee/ So exciting!

SaysMindy said...

I love that you go to the Lord teaching you over blaming him. Thats a great characteristic :)