Our lives are made up of many small cares that seem to make up a large portion of living. Of course, we all go through seasons where major events happen in our families, but these seem to just be seasons. However, one thing that never seems to go away is the many minute occurrences that arise in which I need the Lord’s help to solve. For instance, where Eva will start kindergarten, or where exactly should we stake out the chicken coop and the clothesline? And yes, even the availing thoughts of getting everything ready for baby Charlotte’s arrival cloud my otherwise clear view. Even though each of these things is nowhere near a major crisis, they are unsettling problems that I need answers to.
It is my goal in daily life to give God direct access to correct me and help me lead a peaceful life. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” or “problem-solvers.” Being a problem-solver is a great benefit to those around us, especially within our own families. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have felt like throwing on my superwoman cape because of the problems I have solved within my own family just in one day (NO, I do not really own a cape). To solve problems, we only need to ask the One with the answers, for He freely shares His wisdom. Perhaps you are waiting for a booming voice to sound from heaven when in reality, it will sound more like your own thoughts in your mind. Remember when you were a kid, playing outside in the heat of the summertime? If your mother was anything like mine, you heard the words, “Don’t run in and out of this house!” “Drink from the hose if your thirsty!” How refreshing that hose pipe water was, even though it tasted a bit like the hose it was running through. We didn’t worry at all. We drank it with pleasure. It is the same with God. His voice is flowing through us. Don’t be surprised if it sounds an awful lot like you. I will add this one caveat. When I hear the Lord saying something in my head, it never disagrees with the words of the Bible. If it does, that’s the hose pipe, not the water. I go with the Bible.
I remember when I was a little girl, we were running late for something, and mom couldn’t find her car keys. In casual, ordinary conversation, she asked the Lord to help her find her keys. In about thirty seconds, her eyes lit up, and she ran to the clothes hamper. She came back with her car keys in hand. She had left them in her pants pocket. I was amazed at how she had spent all that time looking, with little to show for it, but when she took just a moment to include the Lord in her search, she came back with the solution in hand.
I have put this into practice in my own life. I can recall one instance vividly. Eva was just a baby. She had an elephant pacifier that we called “Mr. Elephant” (she has since graduated to a stuffed animal named “Mr. Elephant”). She loved that pacifier above all others. It was so squishy from her carrying it around everywhere. One day, we were out for a walk. I was pushing her along in her stroller and didn’t see her drop Mr. Elephant. We all arrived back home from an enjoyable, yet uneventful, walk except for…. Mr. Elephant. I tried to console her with countless other “paci’s” we had around the house, but none could compare. We even headed back out and retraced our steps, but there was no sign of it. Mr. Elephant was gone.
With Eva sobbing, I sat down and asked the Lord, “If Mr. Elephant is findable, please help me find it.” Well, it rained for the next three days, which made our regular walking route impossible. With all practicality, my husband told me I needed to give up on that pacifier and just get another one. I told him we had given our faith to God, now let’s give Him a little time.
After three days, the sun began to shine again, and our path around the lake dried out. We were deep into our walk, enjoying ourselves and chasing after the boys (the dogs), when a man ran out of his house waving his hand in the air. I turned to see what he was holding in his hand; it was Mr. Elephant! Eva was just beside herself, kicking her little legs. She grabbed onto that pacifier as if she had found a long-lost friend. I couldn’t help but lift my head up and give a little wink because experience had now taught me, God cares about car keys and Mr. Elephant “paci’s.”
As Eva has grown, she has watched me include the Lord in my problem-solving endeavors, to the point where I now catch her asking the Lord to help her find lost toys or in riding her bike.
We all want to be seen by the masses and have thousands know our name or that social media sees the successes of our home. But it is in the quiet times, behind closed doors, where God does his best work. My dad has often told me, “I know you are willing that thousands know your name, but are you willing not to?” Am I willing to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and receive no accolades? I am willing to quietly, without complaining, strip muddy clothes off a little girl who has had the time of her life sliding down a muddy hill? Or even still, am I willing to spend meaningful time with my husband, listening to him instead of doing all the talking? If I gain nothing but my family, I have succeeded. Let the masses talk. It’s the secret moments that speak the loudest.
Next time a problem comes up, which it will tomorrow, ask the Lord to help you and then give Him a little time. I bet you will find out as I did- hose pipe water satisfies such a longing thirst.
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“This also comes from the Lord, who is wonderful in council and excellent in guidance.” Isaiah 28:29
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