The Never Ending Gifts

The spoon clanged against my empty cereal bowl as I rinsed it in the sink. I made sure all the crumbs went down the drain, shined the water spots off the faucet, spied two specks by the stove and wiped them up, and then surveyed the kitchen for any wayward crumbs.

Nope, all clean. But seeing a tidy kitchen didn’t scratch my antsy itch today. My tense, aching muscles had me in a python hold and my anxiety whirred like an electric fan.

Because today was “the meeting.”

No cute posts on Facebook or chocolate cookies would ease this ache. I needed to spend some time with God and get myself straightened out.

I sat myself down with my Bible, turned to Psalm 81, and winced as it instructed me to sing for joy to God my strength. Not feeling joy today, but I definitely needed God to be my strength.

Come on, Kris, do the things God has taught you.

“Okay, God, back in December I “let go” and gave you control of the situation we’re discussing in the meeting today, but the anxiety I’m feeling tells me I must have taken it back. I really want it to turn out the way I envision it, but I give it over to you again. Please work in the other person’s heart, and in mine, to guide this meeting how you want it to go.”

My tight muscles eased a bit, and their ache diminished. But the anxiety fan in my chest still hummed.

I read on to verse 13 and sensed God say, “If you would only listen to me and follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue your enemies—your fears.”

Yes, listen and then do.

So what was God saying to me?

I looked back at my underlined verse 10 to see. Yes, the same God who helped the Israelites had also brought me through countless trials and situations. I needed to trust God with this situation today, too.

Next, I opened my daily devotional, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. Speaking of Isaiah 41:14, that day’s reading said “It is a small thing for Me, your God, to help you…I gave my life for you. Help you? Fear not! I will help you.”

Wow. It sure sounded like those words were meant for me. The room brightened.

Then I opened my Bible study book, The Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf, and my mouth dropped open. That day’s assignment was to “Dare to Believe in God’s Power in All Circumstances.”

Of course God had the power to work in any circumstance. But did I dare believe God would accomplish his good purpose in my meeting?

Bob walked into the room and plopped down next to me. “Are you worried about this afternoon? Remember, you’ll be among friends. It’s going to be fine.”

My anxiety fan slowed to a purr. “Okay, God, I hear you loud and clear. I will trust you to guide me through this meeting. Whether we come to an agreement or not, I believe you will bring something good out of it. Thank you for saving me from my fears. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

That afternoon, my meeting went without controversy. The issues that I feared would cause friction didn’t seem to bother anyone at all.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, God, for preparing our hearts—especially mine—for the meeting. But more than that, thank you for reminding me to listen, and for helping me to trust you in yet another circumstance.”