Prodigal: It is so beautiful!

Me: The sky, flowers, water, and sand.

Yes, God has been working on me. We think we should get a break. We think that it is about time. We think isn’t this our vacation day. God ignores all those thoughts, and continues to focus on our growth.

I must be an endless chore that seems never to be complete. It is how the floors always need mopping, dishes in need of scrubbing, and clothes that need washing. One day it seems finished, but it doesn’t take long until your attention is back to the same chore you did yesterday, or two days ago.

Unlike chores at times, the Lord looks on me with love. He looks on me with compassion, and patience. I am not so much a chore but an act of love. I am precious, and cherished. So as the Lord my God sees me today, He is loving me, no matter where I am in my relationship with Him, or my growth.

Since God is with me, God is teaching me. He wants me to praise Him more. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But this test is not about praising Him because I got a paid vacation to Hawaii for a month. (I am still waiting on that test). No, He had me start by praising Him when I was complaining.

I had a list that night. I decided me, and God were going to have a heart to heart. I was going to be open, and communicate. I started going down my list. Then I waited for a response. What was God going to do with all of my list? He whispered, praise to my soul.

I sighed. I did not want to praise. I wanted everything to change. I started small. Thank you Lord for my life. Words flowed after that. Before several minutes, I had several praises. Then I noticed my mood had changed. I really was grateful for everything. I also remembered all the blessings that I have in my life.

Test number 2. Someone close to me hurt my feelings. This person has hurt my feelings several times. I was angry, I was weary, and I just cried. I sat on my bed crying out to the Lord. This person was just being so insensitive toward me. After crying my heart out, I prayed, and asked God what to do. I began reading and there in what I was reading talked about praising. There was that whisper to may soul again, praise.

I praised God for this person and then sent them a text praising them so that they could hear. Within 24 hours, the Lord had made sure that the hurt that was created would not continue, but was stopped. I praised God, and started remember all the blessings that God worked in my life.

Test 3

I was walking outside. I just stopped, and looked around. The first thing I noticed is that the temperature was perfect for me. I was not hot, and I was not cold. I could walk, and enjoy how the air felt around me. I did not have to shiver from a cold breeze, or did I have to run from the sun that caused me to sweat from the heat. I then looked up, and the sky was a solid blue. Not a dark blue and not a light blue. A solid blue with no white clouds at all. I was walking in a perfect day. I just praised God for allowing such pleasure from His conditions. A started to remember how blessed I was.

See after praising God in the first two tests. It naturally happened when life appeared good. When all was well. I think that is God’s point. If we don’t learn to praise God in the difficult times, we tend to forget Him in the good times. We forget to praise Him, because it is not on our mind. We forget we are blessed, because it is not on our mind. Trials and difficulties allow us to learn a spirit of praise that will continue with us rather it is a perfect day or a day of trials.

That is how God is trying to mature us. When we learn that spirit of praise, we have that joy. We are able to appreciate the love of God, we are able to see the good in every situation. Lord, I had been a poor student at times. I have been a slow student at times. Thank you Lord for not dropping me as a student, and for those test you gave me!

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.

Psalm 61:3-4

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Isaiah 41:6

They helped every one of his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.