Guest Post by Tricia Goyer

How Humbling Yourself In Your Time of Need Changes Everything

Tricia Goyer

The other day I was cooking dinner when my six-year-old son rushed into the kitchen.

Beads of sweat slid down his red face. “I’m so hot. You never get me anything to drink.”

I stirred my spaghetti sauce with one hand as I turned to him. “Excuse me?”

His voice rose in a full, high-pitched whine. “You never give me anything to drink!” He waved his hands and dropped to the floor.

I took in a breath and then released in, telling myself to keep my voice steady, calm. “I’d be happy to get you a drink. I just need you to ask.”

He kicked his foot against the floor. “But I want a drink now!”

           

 “I know you do.” I peered down at him. “And as soon as you ask the right way I’m happy to get some ice cold water.”

And then my son stood, smiled up at me and asked so sweetly for a drink of water … NOT!

Instead, he whined and fussed more. Finally, I asked him to leave the kitchen.

You know what? He never did ask. In fact, he didn’t get anything to drink until fifteen minutes later when we were sitting down to dinner. He was so bent on complaining and whining—in feeding his discontent—he didn’t want to release his control in order to ask me for help. I would have gladly given him the drink he requested if only he asked in the right away.

Feeding Our Discontent

I wish I could say this is just a little kid issue, but I’ve been there myself. During my teen years, I lived in that storm of discontent. I complained when things didn’t go my way. I worried. I fretted. I fought.

 I even took matters into my own hands when I found myself facing an unplanned pregnancy at age 15. My own fears and worries led me to a choice I now regret—I had an abortion.

It wasn’t until years later, at age 17 when I was pregnant again, that things took a turn for the better. It’s then I humbled myself and turned to God. By this point I realized the whining, complaining, and acting out wasn’t getting me what I wanted or needed.

At six months along, I wrapped my arms around my growing stomach and prayed, “Lord, if you can do anything with my life, please do.”

God showed up big time. He not only gave me Himself (which is the best!), He has also led me on a journey where radical, and wonderful things, have happened. This has included marrying a wonderful Christian man, having two more kids, starting a crisis pregnancy center, mentoring teen moms, adopting seven more children, and writing over 70 books!

God didn’t just offer me a cup of cool water when I asked. He opened the floodgates of blessing. But it took me humbling myself and seeking Jesus to meet my needs.

 This reminds me of a Scripture I was reading just this morning, “I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.’ You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life,” Lamentations 5:55-58.

Mumbling, complaining and griping is easy, but they rob us of having our greatest needs met. Yet when we humble ourselves and turn to God, things will change for the better.

When we call to the Lord, He hears us. When we turn to Him, He comes. When we call to Him, He reminds us that He is present and we have no reason to fear. When we place our needs in His court, Jesus redeems our life.

 It took a lot to humble me as a teen—two unplanned pregnancies in fact. Yet I’m thankful that I learned back then that when I turn to God He will meet my needs. He will meet them in more wonderful ways than I ever expected.

You can read more about how God can show up radically in your life in the book Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time .

If you pre-order Walk It Out before October 1, you’ll also receive 30 Days of Prayer as You Walk It Out FREE! 

Details here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/walk-it-out/

You can also click  HERE  to read my goodreads review.

Tricia Goyer is the author of over 70 books, 

including her popular works of Amish fiction, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction titles. She and her husband, John, are the parents of ten and the grandparents of four.

A best-selling author, Tricia also founded Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana and leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The homeschool mom has co-authored with Max Lucado, Robin Jones Gunn, and many other Christian writers. Well-known for her inspirational public speaking and her personal blog, Tricia has over 100,000 social media followers. With a heart for teenage mothers, adoption, and missions work, Tricia spends much of her time ministering to others in her local community and around the world.

You can find Tricia here: 

Website 

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Remember the Cost

I had every intention of posting this on Memorial Day, and then the day got away from me and I didn't get back to getting the formatting finished in time to post it. I then thought I'd just wait and post it next year, but I think that it is never too late to emphasize the importance of Memorial Day...even if the actual day has passed and it's the middle of June. 

Take a moment today to reflect on the fact that in spite of the sin and the mess our country is in, we are blessed to live in America. A country where we have the freedom to study God's Word, the freedom to assemble in corporate Worship, and the freedom to pray!

Let's say a prayer of comfort and peace for all those who have been touched by the death of a loved one while in service to our country...a prayer of thanks that there are those who have given their very lives for freedom's sake.

I created the video below to remind us all to...remember the cost. Remembering all those who gave their lives for our freedom. #freedomisnotfree
God bless the USA! #MemorialDay #thankful #grateful #GodBlessAmerica🇺🇸

Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13

Fresh New Canvas For The New Year

While I don't necessarily like the cold temperatures required to bring about a snowy day, I must say, I do so love the brilliant white beauty of freshly fallen snow. It is so perfectly designed to fall at the time of year when we are all thinking of New Year's resolutions, fresh beginnings, and a chance for a do-over.

The snow makes me think of all the ugly of the old year being washed away in the blanketing of snow...as if it were a slate wiped clean. A fresh canvas lying before us, clean and white, ready to take on all the colors of the New Year. Oh the possibilities that lie before us!!

This fresh white blanket covering the dirt and the grime of the dead leaves that had fallen to the ground reminds me of something else...my own dirt, wrong actions, selfish behavior...sin. But only as a reminder that Jesus has stepped into this world to wash away my sin, and yours...to cover over the depravity of our human nature and offer forgiveness, redemption, and restoration to our souls. I am so thankful for this reminder!

Not only do I have a fresh new year before me, but a freshly cleansed spirit and soul, as His blood washes over me...redeeming me...restoring me to the purpose He created me to fulfill.

I'm reminded of the old hymn:

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow;
Yes, whiter than snow
Now wash me and I shall be
Whiter than snow. 

In Psalm 51, David acknowledges his own need to be clean before God after being confronted by the prophet Nathan about his act of committing adultery with Bathsheba. He begins by pleading for God's mercy and grace.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 

In verse 7 David references the imagery of  freshly fallen snow, as he goes on to plead:
            Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be whiter than snow.  

Can you imagine? Whiter than freshly fallen snow?  David certainly had some heavy-duty sins to be covered. Not only had he committed adultery, but he essentially had a man killed in this lustful pursuit.  (For the full story see 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12).  He had really blown it and knew there was nothing he himself could do to wipe out the sin he had committed. He knew the significance of the purging with hyssop.

In Leviticus, God had the priests use hyssop, as a paintbrush of sorts...a purification tool. Hyssop was used in the ceremonial cleansing of both people and houses. It was also the instrument used to apply lamb's blood to the doorposts so that the angel of death would 'pass over' them...marking God's people as pure and not deserving of the punishment that was about to be dealt out to the Egyptians (Exodus 12:22).

 I find it especially noteworthy that as Jesus hung on the cross the very moment He chose to utter the words, "it is finished" and breathe His last breath, was immediately after he was offered the drink of wine vinegar lifted up to his mouth on the stalk of the hyssop plant (John 19:28-30). I don't believe this to be a coincidence.

The ceremonial purification cleansing with the blood and the hyssop branch, the painting of the doorposts, the last moments of Jesus earthly life...all of this was merely the foreshadowing of the cleansing that is available to each and every one of us through Jesus Christ.

As the hyssop branch was extended as an instrument of purification...so Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection is the only way through which we can be forgiven of our sins and given a fresh canvas
on which to begin new life.  We need only follow David's example. Acknowledge our need for forgiveness, turn away from our sin, and reach out to take the 'branch' that is offered.

I will continue to take the branch. To accept the fresh white canvas on which to begin again in the pursuit of His purpose for my life in this New Year.

I'm linking up with other bloggers for  #TestimonyTuesday. Check it out here:

Testimony Tuesday