God Speaks to His Children

As Christians, we know that God speaks to us today --maybe not in an audible voice, but still He speaks.

Not long ago, I was battling with some issues concerning my oldest child that I did not know how to handle. Someone close to our family accused our son of something he did not do. No matter what I said or tried to do, the person would not believe our son was innocent. I didn't know what was worse -the accusation or that the person was close to us. My flesh wanted to respond to a conflict with anger, but I refrained. In fact, I walked away versus engaging in a shouting match.

After a sleepless night, tossing with thoughts of the events pounding in my mind and trying desperately to pray, I received the answer -though in an unusual way.

As I stood, waiting on the first cup of coffee to brew -the strongest one that opens the eyes- the events continued to play repeatedly in my mind. I closed my eyes and prayed, "Lord, I don't know what to do. I know what I want to do. I don't know how to let this go. What do you want me to do?"

I fixed my cup of coffee and reached to flip the daily verse calendar, as I do everyday. There was my answer. It was not audible, but it was God speaking directly to me. Never before can I remember such a bold response.

Remember, I asked the Lord, "What do you want me to do?" His response in the form of a daily verse, "What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." (Psalm 50:14-15 NLT, Tyndale Calendars, 1996)

I was floored! Amazed! More in love with my Father than ever! Can you imagine? I asked a specific question. He gave a specific, direct answer.

God's answers to our prayers aren't always as clear, but they are always answered. Sometimes, answers come in the form of events, actions, gifts, withholding something we "think" we want or need, and many other forms. But the answer is always there. This time it was in black and white -a letter from my Lord in the form of a daily calendar verse.