During one of my difficult times as a child I remember going into our family room and sitting between the end of the couch and the bookshelf next to the fireplace. It was there my parents kept a copy of the Bible. I remember sitting by myself and searching for some clarification. I wanted so much to be heard. I needed a voice and something to tell me everything would be ok. When I opened the Bible I came upon Luke 11: 9-13.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[d] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (NKJV)
This is still one of my favorites Bible verses to this day. It often reminds me in order to be heard, you must have action. Not everyone will respond to your action, and that is ok. Those who are ready to hear will respond with great enthusiasm. And it goes both ways. When I am ready to listen I will hear the call of others and if I can I will support them in their need. Sometimes the timings not right for either party and again, that is ok. It’s not our timing anyway, remember its God’s timing.
I know how to give good gifts and I find it extremely easy to ask for others. It was the receiving good gifts and asking for help myself that would prove to be the biggest challenge. Over the past year I have learned, my voice, even in my moments of weakness, can be the most effective if I only give it a chance. Over the past year, when it was the most difficult to knock on the door, I found the people on the other side of the door where full of Grace. I found Grace closest to home. So I let him in!
Life has been moving in full speed and things have been good, really good! Thank you to all those who offered me bread when you could have thrown stones. Thank you for believing in me. I will keep knocking and praying that each time I open the door I will see the Grace of God on the other side.
Luv, luv,
Julie
