Are You There God? It's Me, Stephanie

Excuse me while I step up the pulpit. I mean this is a religious themed post so no soap box here!

So my friend and I are doing this bible study, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst. If you have not read any of her books you must do so! She is great and very down to earth! I did a previous study of hers, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, and loved it so much I had to do another one of her studies. I think nowadays people can get scared off if someone is preaching too much, or comes on too strong. Lysa does not. She tells stories that all of us can relate to. You laugh and just think "Wow, she has the same issues I do!"

It is eerie how I will read a chapter in one of her books, or read one of her blog posts and it's like she is speaking right to me. I mean, can she read my mind?? Is she going "Hmm, Stephanie is having some relationship issues. I think I am going to discuss that in my blog today" I mean that would be cool, but I don't think that is the case!

I have to admit that I am actually somewhat jealous of this lady. She talks of all these AWESOME and AMAZING stories where God has spoken to her. I mean these are LOUD words spoken. Meanwhile I am hearing little whispers and I am going "God, is that you? Speak up!" But then I started to think about it yesterday. God is speaking to me - through these blog posts and books. I mean just when I am feeling down, frustrated, or sad I will receive an email or see a video or read a chapter in a book and there it is, God's answer to what ails me.

A friend once told me that God only gives you as much as you can handle. He knows better than I do that I work better with these small, quiet words. He knows not to stress me out or make me scared. Phew!! He also knows that I am stubborn and if he speaks loudly to me I will probably put my foot down and say "Nope, not gonna do it! You can't make me!"

Sometimes we may feel like we are just leaving a message on God's answering machine going "Are you there? If so, pick up! I need your help. Okay, call me back...soon!" It is sometimes hard to be on God's time. I mean we want things to go a certain way. We want to know why things happen. We want answers! But here is the thing, we may never quite know why things happen the way they do. I like to think that everything happens for a reason (even if I can't fathom what it is). If nothing else we grow stronger and/or learn lessons from life experiences right? It makes us humble and allows us to be there for others who may need our support and understanding.

I know God will take care of me and my family. I mean he hasn't failed me yet. He has put a roof over my head, food on the table and surrounded me with wonderful family and friends. So I may not get that response from him that is accompanied by balloons, bells going off, and confetti streaming down from the sky and him going "Hey, here is your sign!" but it's there. I just have to clean out my ears and listen a little closer!