The Power of Prayer

God is so good! All the time. Even when I lose sight of His goodness. 

God is always good. God is always working for good. 

Sometimes it seems I make it harder for God to work things for good. 

I'm trying to embrace the idea that possibly situations I see as me making things harder than they need to be are in fact just God working for good. I know there are lots of moving parts in His creation, especially since His creation includes a whole slew of men and woman to whom He has given free will.

Regardless of whether some of my detours in life are due to my stubbornness or God's will for good, I'm grateful for recent reminders that God is faithful and trustworthy. May I never forget -- especially when things don't turn out as I would prefer. I'm aware that these recent examples are cases where the outcome pleased me, although I also can acknowledge some of the obstacles along the way did not trip me up as much as when I have been less focused on God. 

I thought the major miracle -- answer to prayer -- today, Oct. 18. would be the gift of peace throughout the hours leading up to the Cleveland County CROP Walk for Hunger. Indeed, God answered that prayer miraculously, with people continuing to step up to help and also to give generously in support of the cause. And the weather, although cold, windy and a bit damp, did not stop the walk. Along the way, I was able to let go several of the details I typically worry needlessly about.

I guess that was the true miracle, and I am extremely grateful. The rest of the day, I've continued to thank God for keeping me in His care, and I've been praying to know how to keep focusing on Him and trusting in Him and His goodness, to His glory. I know my track record, how easy it is for me to lose focus even after, or especially after, mountaintop experiences. 

That brings me to what I was going to describe as the real miracle. Instead, it was a delightful surprise, the kind only God can orchestrate. I had told the music director last Sunday that I would be willing and able to sing a solo this Sunday, since I knew I would be at worship today. But whenever I tried to think of a song to sing on Monday or Tuesday, no inspiration came, and mounting anxiety about the CROP Walk and a couple of other concerns during the week made the thought of preparing to sing seem daunting. 

I wrestled a bit with what to do, knowing that it would probably work out OK if I went ahead and sang. But I also felt certain it would be OK to let the music director know this wasn't the best time for me to sing. Seemingly surprisingly quickly for me, I texted him Wednesday morning and said I realized this wouldn't be a good time for me to sing, because I was distracted by the CROP Walk preparation. He said that would be fine. I felt relieved. And grateful. It only crossed my mind a couple of times after that to wonder if I should have gone ahead and worked up a song. Each time, I was able to affirm my decision. 

I don't remember all the details of what happened today between the 9 a.m. drive-in worship service and the 10:15 hymn sing with Kenneith and Sylvia. But as I was waiting in the sanctuary between the services, I heard Kenneith sight-reading "my song." I had mixed feelings: If I'd known that's the song, I could have done that without even practicing, was my first thought. A second thought was that he's so talented, why did he have to sing "my" song?  Fortunately, I was able to have positive thoughts and look forward to hearing him sing "On Eagles' Wings."

About that time, I heard him struggling a bit with a couple of lines. Either me or the accompanist, who has played for me numerous times, blurted out some comment about my singing it. (I think I said something like, I just sing it my own way, and Sylvia follows.) When Kenneith realized it's a song I know, he said I should sing with him. I said, nah, he should sing it. He kept encouraging me and seeming very excited to sing as a duet. So I said I would if he thought it was OK. They set up another microphone, we ran through the song two or three times, then we sang during worship. My heart rejoiced to partake of the words and melody and harmony.

He kidded me that I thought I was getting out of singing and that God apparently had other plans. 

I agree that God had a clear hand in what happened. I ended up singing I song I can sing without practicing -- and I avoided the stress of choosing a song and wondering whether I had practiced enough. And I avoided the stress of worrying about what I looked like -- fussing with my hair or what to wear. I  had dressed for CROP Walk, which is a T-shirt and jeans, no makeup and little attention to my hair -- not my usual worship look. AND IT WAS FINE!!!!!

God, please help me take these gifts and lessons to heart, so that I will trust You more and more, to live joyously and freely for You, to Your glory. 

(The prayer was another variation of the one I posted Oct. 15: Heavenly Father, please help me trust that You are in control & working for good. Help me believe or at least act as if it is possible everything is exactly as it should be. That I’ll do & am doing what I need to do today regarding the CROP Walk — I can trust that what I do is enough; that I’ll value the sport & goodness of the players more than who wins or loses, in BASS as well as football; that I’ll be what You & Gene need me to be for Gene; that today is exactly as it is supposed to be. I know so much is good. Help me trust that it is all good, & I am doing & being what You need me to do & be — all these things & more made possible by You, God, being God, & me getting out of the way & not doubting. Me focusing on You & Your truths, & giving You thanks & praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.)

My prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me trust that You are in control & working for good. Help me believe or at least act as if it is possible everything is exactly as it should be. ...  I know so much is good. Help me trust that it is all good, & I am doing & being what You needed me to do & be — all these things & more made possible by You, God, being God, & me getting out of the way & not doubting. Me focusing on You & Your truths, & giving You thanks & praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

On the seventh day ...

It’s time to write again. The weather has been outstanding, with cool nights conducive to sleeping with windows open, and afternoons just within the heat boundary for pleasant rides with the top down on the Mustang. 

Tomorrow looks great for fishing. 

I’m grateful for simple pleasures. 

 

A better start

What a difference a day makes. 

The last day of September, I guess I was dizzy from the roller coaster ride of travel, time changes and expectations. A little altitude sickness and jet lag may have factored in. 

Gratefully, on the first day of October, I’m still far from home, but everything looks and feels better. Hope springs anew. Faith doesn’t seem like such a leap. 

Thank You, Gracious Heavenly Father!

Also for the emotions, soul searching

 Just in case. 

That was a September to remember!

 I want to be sure I have a September time stamp for an eventual Montana and Yellowstone post. This is where it will go. 

Minnesota memories

 Before I get caught up in our next adventure, I want to share more about the recent trip to Minnesota. 

Once again, I was slow to become aware of many of the treasures of Minnesota. As a result, I left with a bit of regret. And because of data usage issues and other aspects of having a new iPhone 2020 SE, I didn’t take many pictures to help me remember. (The data drain also kept me from using maps and Safari as I usually do to get a better sense of place and perspective.)

Through it all, as always, there were countless reasons to be grateful; to give thanks to God. 

We went for friendship and fishing. Gene’s friend Hal has a great cabin on a small lake near Pine River. Gene has visited the area several times, some with his work and others to visit and fish with Hal. This was my first. I hope it’s not my last. 

 

The lake view from the cabin was calming and refreshing, and a morning walk through the neighborhood offered a closer look at beautiful fall foliage I’d just seen from the road. Even photos from my newer iPhone don’t do justice to nature’s beauty. 

My morning walk also revealed my first look at something unfamiliar in my neck of the woods. What are these little trailers that almost look like tiny houses — but not quite? I soon learned these are ice castles, which later in winter are pulled onto lakes after the water freezes to about a foot deep. They provide shelter (comfort) for those involved in the sport (and social aspects) of ice fishing. Makes me glad those aren’t needed where I live — and makes me understand why a lot of people with places in this area also have homes in southern states! Who would want that cold weather?? 

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes. There is also an abundance of wetlands, many of then framed by the greens, yellows, oranges and reds of trees displaying their late summer beauty. 

Long stretches of roadway had a big lake on one side of the road or the other — or both sides. 

In my two days of fishing on Mille Lacs, known for its healthy population of smallmouth bass, I landed a single smallie and a walleye. Fortunately, I enjoy being on the lake even when my angling leaves much to be desired. More surprising to me was that Gene and Hal didn’t have much luck either. 

Before leaving, we traveled to Lake Itasca State Park to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi River.  This is one of those places I had more time to soak in the beauty and the history. It was also a place where the masks and social distancing brought on by a global pandemic interfered with the experience. That’s not shared as a complaint; it’s just an observation. It’s great we and all those families could “walk across the Mississippi”; and we will all be grateful and relieved when we can see each others’ smiles and not worry about spreading a virus as we enjoy these pursuits. 

On the way, we stopped by one of the Paul Bunyan tributes, mainly for the photo opp. It’s interesting how many places lay claim part to this larger than life legendary character!! 

On the drive to the headwaters, a phrase in conversation reminded me we were in the land of Garrison Keillor and Lake Wobegon. That’s a trail I would have explored had I planned ahead better. Instead, it give me another reason (besides friendship, fishing and foliage) to want to return to Minnesota.