​     An idea rolled around in my head. It had festered for days, even weeks. But I hadn’t prayed about it yet. Only when a friend voiced a mutual thought did it stir me to action. So to the Lord I went, seeking and asking. Not my Wil but thine be done, I prayed.
     But as a few days passed without strong leading, I wondered. Do you want me to do this, Lord? I queried, I will do it… if You want me too. Then it hit me. Swift and fleeting but strong and true. The question was not whether I was willing to do what HE asked me. The true question was whether I wanted to praise Him. The eyes of my heart opened in understanding. Conviction rolled over me.
     Sometimes we agree to follow God’s Will with an almost reluctant heart. But what God wants is an overflowing heart of uncontainable eagerness. What brings God honor and glory is not our begrudging attitude, but a spirit of joy which radiates praise. Afterall, when we bring an offering of worship to our King, it should be done with all the praise and honor we can muster. Overflowing joy and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit should spring in glorious praises.
     Coming out of a season of trial, it is exciting yet a little scary to step in new ways. I am stretched and challenged. But if I drink from these new springs of living water, rich reward and fruit will follow.
     Last week, a wise friend reminded me of Isaiah 43:19. “See! I am doing a new thing.” When I heard this Scripture, God spoke to my heart. The encouragement of God’s promise to do something new, filled my parched places. For days, this Scripture ministered over me. But later, the rest of the verse penetrated my soul. “Now it springs up, will you not receive it?” God was telling me that new springs of life are pouring out before me…now did I have the courage and trust to step in faith to receive it?
     With the potential opportunity laid before me, two questions stared me in the face. First, was I willing to receive the new things God might be placing before me and step out in faith. But of equal importance is the next question. When I step out in faith, will I be doing it out of begrudging obedience or an uncontainable eagerness of praise. Will my spirit thirst to worship God for the good things HE has done? If my spirit balks and resists, then how can this reflect a heart of worship? Afterall, God doesn’t beg us to come to Him. Instead, we are the ones who must willingly choose to come.
    With a new song in my heart, fresh commitment firmed my resolve. If the doors open for me to walk through, I will do it with a heart of praise. For You have done marvelous things and my praise bubbles over. Praise and worship should not be coaxed or begged to be given but should come out of an overflowing and irresistible spirit of uncontainable joy of the goodness of our God. And God, You have been good to me.7
     Lord, I will willingly go where You want me to go. I ask You cover me with peace and steady my footsteps. Make all my plans succeed and let me shout for joy over Your victory. May Your praise guard my mind and crowd out any fears or anxieties. Now it springs forth, will I not receive it. Yes, Lord, I will. Will you?

The day had been…interesting. Time with a friend morphed into a half day event while new acquaintances unexpectedly made. The afternoon evolved and reinvented itself with me reeling in the wake. Plus, my usual cheery husband was down. His teasing smile and mischievous nature was lacking. It was like the life had been snuffed out of him.

     My thoughts worried over him. Though I asked him what was wrong or what I could do, no response answered. All I could do was seek the Lord and ask Him to minister to his heart.

     But despite his downcast spirit, dinner needed preparing and evening activities still loomed. Chopping vegetables and throwing them into a pot, I rushed to ready for dinner. Dishes slammed into cupboards while laundry flew from the washing machine into the dryer. I grabbed for a spoon to stir the pot on the range when… Ding-Dong!

      “Who is that?” Sweet Pea asked, eyeing the front door. Curiosity reared as I randown the hallway. I threw open the door. surprise flickered. A dear friend stood on the stoop with her daughter and husband.

     My friend beamed. Joy radiated from her every pore.

     “I wanted to share the news with you in person.” She rubbed a hand on her protruding belly. Three weeks from giving birth, she was about to burst. Our friends had asked us to pray for a specific issue pertaining to the pregnancy. From Sweet Pea to my husband and me, all three of us prayed earnestly throughout her term and interceded for the family.

     This very afternoon, there had been an ultrasound. The smiles on their faces sparked hoe in my chest. Eagerness peaked high. I held my breath and waited.

     “God answered our prayers!” She announced. A huge grin spread over my lips.

     “Hallelujah   !” I whooped, hurtling out of the front door to bear hug my friend, “Praise the Lord!”

     Discouraging news had been given them two weeks ago. But a report last week infused new hope. To see God part the seas and make miracles happen, spread joy through me like wildfire. And on a day where worries and dampened spirits ran amuck, such joy ignited fresh hope. It was a gift not to keep to oneself but to share.

     “Sweetheart, come out here!” I called into the house. As we waited for him, our friends, Sweet Pea, and I rejoiced. To experience and share the goodness of the Lord with fellow believers ministered such life-giving joy. By the time my husband appeared at the doorway, laughter and hugs had made their rounds.

     “God answered our prayers!” I heralded. My heart overflowed. Just to see God work miracles and answer prayers reinfused new life. For it is in these small and large details where we see God at work.

     God is always working, always moving, and constantly watching over his children. Even in those small, uttered prayers beneath our breath, God hears us. And He cares…especially for the fine details.

     I have often found God amid the minute details. Just as God crafted every infinite detail of our bodies, HE also delights in working out the small and large details of our lives. And on a day where I needed reminded of God’s miraculous working power, His answer to our prayers, spoke deep assurances and love over me.
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     God delights to answer the prayers of His children. to witness Him parting seas, increases faith and garners greater love. Give me the desire of my heart and make all my plans succeed, prays the psalmist in Psalm 20, “Let me shout for joy over your victory and raise the banners of the Lord our God high.” May it be so for each one of us this day. May He grant all your requests and anoint you with favor. Amen.
 
Prayer
Thank You God for these small and large reminders of Your goodness. Thank You God for reminding me who is in charge and whose power intercedes and covers us. Thank You God for giving me what I needed when I needed it most. I praise Your Name and sing to You a new song. All praise and honor to Your holy Name.

     My husband and I gathered to pray. The night was upon us and bedtime soon approached. A specific prayer request sat on my heart. One of which revolved around a new desire to grow in faith.

     Coming through a trying season, the desire for new steps in faith was a treasure. Yet with new faith also must come the courage and trust to step out. I needed assurance and peace from the Lord. I needed to hear His still, soft voice. And as my husband prayed, a silent whisper filled my heart.

     I will go with you, the Holy Spirit whispered, I will go with you. Gratitude and relief flooded my soul. For though I had faith, His assurance undergirded my steps. Just like Moses refused to go without God, I also sought the Lord’s presence. To know God would go with me was all I needed.

         The next day dawned early. A flurry of activity commenced. By the time we pulled out of the driveway, fatigue settled deep. But I called out to God and He heard my cry. An idea popped into my head. Silly as it seemed, I jumped to follow through. By the time we arrived at our destination, peace, joy, energy, and strength refreshed me. Thank You, Lord, I silently whispered, a smile in my heart and on my face.

     As the day progressed, the sun disappeared behind clouds. A mixture of mist and gentle rain anointed our time. The cooler temperatures refreshed our bodies while the misty rain baptized our skin.

     “Well, if it’s going to be cloudy and rainy, then this is the best way for us to spend it….outside and having fun!” My face lifted to the sky. Raindrops splashed against my skin. I will go with you, once more whispered the still, soft voice. Bible passages flashed through my mind in illuminating succession. I remembered how God led the Israelites with a cloud by day. His presence also descended as a cloud into Solomon’s temple. Then, came the memory of   how God’s presence overshadowed the Mount of Transfiguration.

     Tears welled. This cloud which settled over our day and refreshed our spirits was a tangible reminder of God’s promise. He truly was with me. This realization of His presence in the cloud which blanketed our day, overwhelmed my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving.
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     It takes courage to step out in faith…to trust God. But God sees our hearts and He blesses us no matter how faltering the steps. But as we continue to walk, His strength undergirds and strengthens. And on this monumental day, I praise God for how He did exactly this. He firmed my step and strengthened my foothold. He went before me and was with me. He parted the waters and pushed back the seas. He did more than what I asked or imagined. Hallelujah and Amen!