January 4, 2013

Good morning all-

Four whole days into the new year and things are already heating up at the Roger's residence.  It's amazing how things were so peaceful and then the new year began and a ton of new decisions are at the door, waiting for one unlucky adult to play roulette to see what decisions in 2013 are the right ones.

Have you ever felt like life is going along wonderfully and then one day, things change overnight and you're back to wondering what direction God wants you to take?  I'm a firm believer in praying about my decisions. I am also an extremely decisive person.  I rarely look back at my decisions with regret.  I move forward take the challenges and victories of my choices and ask God for guidance along the way.  That method has served me well until I talked to my teenager last night and then I had some doubts.

We were having challenges with one coach within a school system he had been in since 2nd grade.  I prayed and fasted over the situation when he announced that he wanted to leave all his friends behind and go to a bigger school.  It was probably easier because this coach was harassing my son.  Nevertheless, my son asked if he could go back to his old high school.  Everything I thought he loved, he hates and herein lies my impasse.  So because I believe in going to God, we are going to pray about this situation.  I don't have any problem with him going back if that's what he truly wants as long as God wants that for his life.  He took a big jump, going from a small school system to one of the roughest schools in Wichita Kansas.  They have at least 5 active gangs, numerous problems and they've already experienced a lock down.  It's tough and all his friends live in a community he loved.

So what to do?  That is the question I will pray over.  I told him that I wanted him to start asking God for direction and that no decision would be made until May.  For a teenager, that's a long time.  I believe that prayer will give us the direction and that any feelings I have can be washed away if God leads us to the right place for my son.  The good news is he did it.  He went out on a journey and became his own man and if he decides to spend his senior year with his friends so be it.  I can worry about a ton of things but at the end of the day, Hunter belongs to God and that's as simple as that.  It's his journey with God that will count and I have faith that Hunter will see Christ more clearly as we pray for his direction.

If you're in a situation where you just don't know what God has in store for you, please take time to pray and fast over it.  Worrying about it in your mind will not help you make the next step.  Only Christ can give you wisdom and direction.  Ask someone to pray with you and to be there to listen to the reasons around your decision and then get on your knees.  Humans can be filled of wisdom if Christ chooses, but it's still His wisdom.  I hope today finds you well and I hope that you are working on getting your prayer life stronger so that when troubles come, decisions need to be made or you just need a direction, you know who to go to.  He's ready, waiting and can handle our burdens, remember He did it all on the cross!  Be well today.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV:

     For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I have personally prayed this every time I needed to make a decision that would impact my future.  It has been my staple through my life and I hope it brings you the same kind of comfort it has brought to me.  Knowing that God knows the plan takes me off the hook and gives me peace that His decision will be far better than mine.  Have a great day!

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You once again asking You to clear my path.  I have important decisions to make and only You can give me the wisdom to know which direction to choose.  I am counting on Your wisdom to guide me and those that love You.   Our future is in Your hands.  Even our children must come to You and find what You have for their lives.  We don't know the future, only You do.  So help Your children all over the world make decisions that align with Your will.  Help us to give up our pride and the trust in ourselves to see the only one that we can trust is You.  I believe that You lead us where You wish us to go and just like sheep we will follow.  Guide us today as we repent and rejoice in Your presence.  We need You Lord and we need Your guidance for today.  We thank You for loving us, for directing us and for giving us light in this darkened world.  Please give us hope in You as we seek You daily!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...