Tag: waymaker

God

Be Still

meghanewhite

I’ve never been good at sitting still. Not that I’m hyper or anything, I just would rather be doing something. I like to get stuff done. I’m pretty much always working on a task, whether big or small. When the Lord tells me to be still I pay attention. Being still sounds like you need to be laying around, doing absolutely nothing. That’s not the case.

Being still is stopping what we are doing in our attempts to fix something we cannot fix, then placing our faith, focus, hearts, and minds on God. He is in control and He will take care of whatever is concerning us. The NASB says, “Cease striving”; that really speaks to me. The Lord is telling me, “Stop! I’ll handle it. I am God and you are not”.

The first part of Psalm 46 gives great insight into verse 10.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah (ESV)

God is sovereign over everything. We do not have to fear. He will help us and He is right here in our times of trouble. Because of His power, authority, and glory we can stop our feeble attempts to remedy a situation and trust Him to take care of whatever problems are before us.

There is nothing in this world that will bring the safety and security that God does. He is our refuge. Only He can fix the unfixable. Only He can heal, restore, and provide what we cannot. He is Almighty God. He reigns over all. He will be exalted.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10, ESV

Nothing surprises God. What puzzles us is permitted by our Lord, for reasons too profound to grasp. It is put together in the counsel of His own will so that it fits perfectly into His plan for His glory and His purposes. As His servant, I say in response, “I will not fear. Though I don’t understand it, I will not fear. Though You take something that’s deeply significant to me, though You allow a catastrophe to strike, I will not fear. I will not blame, I will not doubt, and I will not question.

Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

Be still, and know that He is God.

Love you all,

Meghan

Heavenly Father,

You reign over all. You are awesome Holy God. Help us Father, to trust You when facing difficult situations. Nothing is too hard for You to handle. Strengthen, protect, and provide for our needs. Thank you for your constant presence, and willingness to help us in our times of trouble. Help us God, to be still and remember how mighty You are. There is none like You. For anyone facing difficulties right now, help them to let go of their troubles, that they have no power to fix on their own, and place them in Your mighty hands. We love you God, and we praise Your holy name.

Amen

Parenting

My Nest Has a Vacancy

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In the spring while trimming one of our wax myrtles I discovered this beautiful bird’s nest. There were no eggs, and not a bird to be found. This humble home was built with care and then abandon. This bird even used plastic, as well as twigs and grass, now that’s resourceful. The things we do for our offspring.

We do so much to prepare our nests for the arrival of our sweet little ones. Getting a crib or bassinet, buying diapers, clothes and toys, all in anticipation of a precious new baby. We clean the nest, maybe even build a new one, all in preparing for the blessed addition to our families.

It’s difficult to prepare for the time when the little baby bird grows up and leaves the nest. Instead of baby clothes, it’s stuff for their dorm room or apartment, or wherever they are going. Except this time it’s not for the nest, it’s for their new lives. The nest is not needed in the same way anymore.

I don’t know if you ever feel completely ready, as a parent, for your child to leave the nest. Maybe for some, they are ready to kick their teenage birds out, not me. But, it’s definitely time to spread those wings and fly.

We moved my youngest son into his dorm room at college this week. He was ready. I was sort of ready, but sort of not. I kept thinking of all the things I didn’t tell him, or teach him. What about this? What about that? Oh, I forgot to tell him …… fill in the blank. It’s letting go, and it’s not easy, at least for me.

I’ve done this before, but it’s different with the youngest. This is the last time to send a kid to college. It’s very exciting, and I am so happy for Joshua, and all the experiences and opportunities that wait for him. However, my mind starts to worry, which is not good. It’s my default, and the Lord has patiently taught me over the years how not to worry, and trust Him.

I’m singing a new song, “Let It Go!”. But my version is, “Let him go, let him go, into the Lord’s perfect care,” or something like that. I know that my Heavenly Father has my son in the palms of His very capable hands. I have peace, and I am truly happy for him. My old habits want to come back, but this time I’m saying, “No!” to worry and fear. I’m saying, “Yes!” to the Lord and His purpose and plan.

Fly little bird. Spread those gorgeous wings and see what you can do.

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Love you all,

Meghan

Prayer

Silent Before the Lord

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My soul waits in silence for God only; Psalm 62:1

I am a pro at giving God my laundry list of “to do’s”. I talk, and talk, and cry out to Him as I am supposed to as His daughter. We are to cast all our cares on Him. What an incredible blessing to give all of our concerns to God, knowing He will take care of whatever concerns us.

There are times when we need to stop talking and just rest in Him.

When was the last time you were silent before the Lord? I don’t mean not knowing how or what to pray. I mean sitting before the Lord in silence. Not asking, or pleading, or begging Him to do something. Just being in His presence and letting Him, through the Holy Spirit, do the talking.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26, NASB 

This may sound weird, or uncomfortable. After all, we are supposed to bring our requests before the Lord, and we absolutely need to do that. What if we hit the pause button on the requesting every now and then, and just sat at His feet, and waited for Him to talk to us. I am learning to do this more and more, and it’s quite remarkable what happens to me. I get more peace just being with the Lord.

Being silent before the Lord takes some discipline, and you can’t have distractions. Turn off the phone, or place it out of ear shot. No music, no noise, no screens. Allow nothing that will grab your attention. Close your eyes and ask the Holy Spirit to speak. Now, be still, wait, trust, and let Him speak to your soul.

As we sit in silence with the Lord our confidence in Him grows stronger. He already knows what we need before we ask Him, so ultimately, every problem we have He has an answer awaiting at just the perfect time. We can take this time to find refuge in Him, knowing He will take care of us.

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. Psalm 62:1, NASB

God is our salvation. While we wait for His perfect answer to our prayers we can be confident in the God of the universe. Waiting in silence is placing our complete trust in Him. This is not passive. While we wait, God will refresh our souls, give us new strength, and new perspective.

He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:2, NASB  

We can trust God.

He will answer. He will come through. He is the Rock.

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

sickness

There Are No Hospitals in Heaven

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It’s been an eventful several days. Not the kind of events that are fun. My husband Tom is in the hospital. Friday, he had four seizures really close together, which he’s never had before. I called 911. He was rushed to the ER, where we were told kidney failure, and dangerously low hemoglobin. It was a nightmarish deja vu, as we went through a similar situation two years ago with the very same problems. This time it’s more complicated because of the seizures. 

Tom was admitted to the ICU Friday night with a large team of doctors overseeing his care. He was given five blood transfusions which then caused fluid on his lungs. So transfusions had to stop to clear out his lungs. Hemoglobin has gone up and down since Friday. However, after a sixth blood transfusion yesterday, his hemoglobin was improving. The blood loss has been one of the top priorities in all of his symptoms and problems. His kidneys are still not doing well and were worse yesterday afternoon.

There have been non stop scans, tests, procedures and everything in between. Because of the seizures, there is a special camera in his hospital room that monitors him in case he has more seizures. Thank God Tom has not had any more seizures. It was more than likely caused from losing two thirds of his blood combined with kidney damage.

There are so many things going on his body I can barely keep up with all of the specialists and their prognosis and assessments. There is far too much information to share in this post so I’m trying to hit the highlights. Tom was moved to Intermediate Care on Monday, it’s a step down from Intensive Care. That’s a good thing.

We have excellent doctors and nurses taking care of Tom. We are grateful. Tom has a good attitude. I just want him healthy. I am praying for healing and so many others are as well. We have a large prayer team of friends, family, and strangers, praying for Tom. We are truly blessed. 

Our church has been incredible! They are storming the gates of heaven for Tom. Church members are calling, texting, and emailing to let us know they are praying and here for us. Our church family is ready to bust through the hospital and lay hands on Tom. We are grateful for such a wonderful body of believers supporting us. 

Every prayer matters, so thank you to all of you who have been praying. I believe in prayer and its power, because it is God’s power on display. He does some of His best work in impossible situations. I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do for Tom. He has already done so much for us. I know He’s not done.

In the middle of our crisis God has given me peace. I have times where fear and discouragement come in, but it doesn’t last long. The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me of the truth, and Who is in charge. Tom is in God’s mighty hands, no matter what a doctor says.

Spending some time in the ICU has given me a fresh perspective on suffering. Each time I walk the hallways I see so many names on the outside of hospital rooms. That’s someone’s loved one, suffering and sick. Some rooms are filled with people and some are quiet.

The other day I heard loud shouting, and I thought, “Oh no, someone is angry and letting a staff member have it.” I leaned my head out of Tom’s room to check out the commotion, and realized the loud voice was a loud prayer for healing. It was coming from a room of a very young man, late teens, maybe early twenties. A man was calling on the Lord to heal this young guy. How many others are praying right now in a hospital, asking God for a miracle.

Yesterday, Tom’s daytime nurse was answering my questions and updating his vitals and all his numbers to me. I shared my concerns about Tom’s kidneys and mentioned that we are Christians which she replied that she too is a Christian. She began to share scripture with me and encourage me greatly. As she was talking I noticed her name tag said Comfort. A wonderful nurse, placed at the right time, at the right place named Comfort. Thank you Lord.

There is someone reading this right now, and you are in the middle of your own crisis. You might be wondering, Where are you God? He is right there, as close as your next prayer. He is faithful and He will see you through your trial.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV 

Thanks for your prayers, love, and support. 

Love you all,

Meghan 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for taking such good care of my husband during this scary time. You bring peace, comfort, wisdom, and healing. I am asking You to heal Tom, completely. You have the final say on Tom’s health, and life. You are faithful, perfect, holy, awesome God! We praise and thank You!

I lift up the person reading this who is overwhelmed in their own crisis. Lift up their head Lord. Provide every single thing they need. Bring healing, breakthrough, peace, freedom, and absolutely anything that they are crying out to You for. Nothing is impossible with You. Comfort and protect them.

In Jesus Mighty Name, 

Amen!

Photo Credit: Meghan E. White 

God's Peace

Feeling Anxious?

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If anxiety is weighing you down, you are in good company. There are plenty of people around the world feeling anxious. We have more than enough problems, and potential problems, to keep us all feeling a lack of peace. This world is a mess, and it’s getting messier. It’s quite easy to feel anxious. But, we don’t have to stay there.

We have hope. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you have everything you need to get your peace back. Jesus knew we would have troubles. He never said it would be easy. But He did not end there.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NIV

In Him we have peace. That is incredible. We can have peace in spite of the chaos. We can experience His supernatural peace in spite of the diagnosis, the painful loss, the empty bank account, the job loss, the trauma, the trial, the pain. We can rest in Him during life’s most anxious times.

We have peace because Jesus already took all our sin and nailed it to the cross. Because of Jesus we have victory over death, and continuous victory over every problem we face. He is with us and will help us.

One of my all time favorite Bible passages in Philippians has gotten me through so many hard times. I relied on these verses heavily when my dad was dying, twenty-four years ago. I still go back to these powerful words time, and time again.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7, NIV

The Lord is near, always! We are not to be anxious. In everything, by prayer, we can give all our requests over to the Lord. We can do this with a thankful heart knowing He has an answer and a plan. As a result we get the peace of God, which goes above and beyond any human understanding. This perfect peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The world offers us peace that is circumstantial and fleeting. God gives us peace that goes beyond our circumstances. For He himself is our peace. Rest in Him today, knowing that He is right there with you. He knows every problem you have or will ever have, and He will make a way for you.

If you are too worn out to pray, read those words in Philippians. Write them down. Say them out loud, and know that God will replace your anxiety with His peace.

Love you all,

Meghan

Father God,

You are awesome, holy God. Thank you for peace, hope, and joy. For those who are weighed down with anxiety, lift their eyes up to Jesus. Replace their anxious thoughts with peace. Help them to stay in Your word. Give them the strength to pray and call on You. May they rest in Jesus and experience supernatural peace.

Amen