Being Specific

I have learned over this last week that being specific, I mean really specific is important. It is exhausting to be so specific - it requires a LOT of effort, preparation, patience. But it is important.

When I communicate to my husband, to my students, I have to be specific. I have been caught a few times lately in the middle of what I thought was very clear communication. Being more specific is helpful.

My daily devotion "Power of a Praying Parent" said that we need to SPECIFICALLY pray for our children, not just their well being and dreams, but to go to our knees and enter into battle with the Lord in each aspect of their life. Powerful.

I realized this week that I am often in global prayer for people and situations (our new president, for example). But I need to specifically pray for those little details for people (for wise decisions, for selection of a powerful cabinet, for the daughters of a president, for God's will, for the impacts of each decision) - those things that can really change a day, a meeting, an encounter...and knowing that being specific will require a much more diligent approach to prayer, I can enter into a much more powerful relationship with my God.

People I know well were hurt this week. People I know were frustrated this week. People I love were in a "funk" this week. People who I admire were "lost" this week. Me too. I pray for these specific relationships and situations. To be in them takes a fair bit of acknowledgement, but I am not alone. And neither are these friends.

So be specific...that is the goal as we get ready for another week. To pray for each situation I encounter, for each person that I encounter...to be specific. Can I pray for you today? Let me know how!

Love Affair with a Tree

I cant get over this tree. I watch it change daily. I was saddened on Thursday to see that before it had fully changed colors the leaves have started to fall off. It is windy today, and we are to get get the first accumulating snowfall this weekend...I imagine that my pictures of this tree are almost over for the season. It gets battered and beat up in the weather and elements. I imagine after two days of wind and rain last weekend, it takes a big deep breath and says "whew, that was a doozy!" I imagine that this tree that gives me so much joy is also growing roots deeper and deeper, able to withstand the elements much more that when it was a newly planted sapling. This tree stores up nutrients. It goes dormant and then rejuvenates again with the buds of spring leaves. Animals find refuge in this tree. It changes, it evolves.

We are a lot like this tree. We are all changing. Maybe your week was full of travel, maybe it was full of trying to balance a family and a full-time job, maybe it was full of stressing over a "proposal defense" for your PhD. Whatever, your stresses this week, take heart in knowing that you are changing. That people find refuge in you, that with each of life's challenges you change and your roots grow deeper and deeper. You are strong and able to withstand any element that gets tossed your way...not that they aren't doozies! There will be times when you will need to store up nutrients of faith and trust, and just go dormant for a season. That is ok. Soon you will emerge with the buds of new life...thankful for the growth that comes from challenges.

Heavenly father,
I thank you for the challenges that you present, because I know that these times help me to grow and change. I pray that I will have the patience to see your work complete in me. Help others to take heart in this also. Give them the peace of knowing that I am thankful for them and praying for them also. Amen.

"Be patient, then, brother, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You, too be patient and firm, because the Lord is coming near." James 5:7-8.

I hope that his is a blog where people can present anything that they need prayer for, and know that I am praying for them. If you are so inclined, will you please tell me how I can pray for you? If you want to just read, please do that! Blessings to you today!