Solitude with the Father

The fog is so thick; I can hardly see the hand in front of me. I know the spot I am in, yet I don’t know which way to go or what to do. I don’t want to take the wrong path so I stand confused, frustrated and frozen.

This is the feeling I get some days when I’m not feeling confident in who I am, what I’m doing, what God has called me to do, or overwhelmed with life in general.

When I started my second year as our church’s MOPS (Mother of preschoolers) Discussion Group Coordinator, I was given a DVD about my position. The longer I watched, the more my stomach turned into knots. I wasn’t doing anything they were saying to do. Did I mention I’m a rule-follower and love outlines?

As I walked to the mail box, I begged God’s forgiveness for being a lousy Coordinator; and for ill-equipping them to do their jobs. I also told Him I was overwhelmed with all the information and there was no way I would be able to implement all they said in two weeks.

Flipping through the mail I found a small card from one of the discussion group leaders. “I’m really not interested in going to a candle party, or a pampered chief party.”  I said to myself.

But it wasn’t an invitation. One of my leaders had written a “Thank You” note stating how much she appreciated the time I took to make sure that everyone was ready to serve.

Sobbing, I quickly went to email her to tell her what the note meant to me. Then she said the most amazing thing. “I kept forgetting to send it. I wanted to send it to you four days ago.”

God’s timing is everything. He knew I needed that note, that day. I learned a powerful. When I am in “fog” ask the ultimate encouragement-giver and He will send it.

I like to think of these as God’s hugs to me.

We all need encouragement from time to time. When I solicit encouragement from people, many times it leaves me emptier. I need to allow God to bring His encouragement, in His timing, in the means He chooses.

Warning: you may not receive it right away, but His timing is perfect.

But it goes both ways. As I listen to Him, many times I send a card or e-mail that another person needed just at that time it was received.

I have prayed that through writing — whether it be devotionals, blog posts or articles — all who read the words would feel as if God were giving them a hug of encouragement.

Are you in a “foggy”, overwhelming time?

Ask God to send you an encouraging hug. Then be patient. He may not send it right away but wait expectantly to feel His loving arms embrace you.

 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  I Thessalonians 5:11