Thursday, January 15, 2009

Open Your Eyes And See...

I have found myself this week really paying attention to how God is working around me, in me and through me. It's so easy for me to get caught up in everyday life that I am not stopping and really paying attention to how He is working. Several years ago while doing the Believing God Bible study by Beth Moore, we were instructed at the end of each lesson to have a "Godstop". This was a place to journal in our books ways in which we were seeing God around us. Whether it was through circumstances, people, or even through simple things like the laugh of a child or witnessing His creation and worshipping Him through that, we were to write down how we had seen Him. I loved that particular section of the book each day because knowing I had to write something down ( I have a thing about leaving blank spaces) I forced myself to be a lot more aware and pay closer attention.

These last several months I have experienced Jesus in ways like never before. Not only do I want to experience Him, I want to recognize Him. I want to see with my own eyes what He is doing around me. Not because of a lack of faith do I say that but because I want to be one that doesn't miss out on His wonderful and divine acts that are taking place right before me. My faith is deepened when I am recognizing Him. In recognition, there is worship.Often when I am busy, consumed, overwhelmed, and distracted, I don't take the time to stop and take it all in. Take all of Him in.

God has really shown up in big ways in our family this week and I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that I have purposed to be on the look-out again. To have those "Godstop" moments.

I have seen Him in friendships. My sister, Sarah and her husband have recently moved to a new area. Moving to a new place means that everything else is new too. Finding a new church, new places to shop, and of course making new friends. One day, while perusing blogs, I came across Monica's blog. From what I read about her, I knew that my sister somehow needed to get connected with her because of something very special they have in common. I immediately called Sarah and told her about Monica and to check out her blog. Come to find out, Monica and her husband were currently living in Ohio (where I live), but were planning on an upcoming move to Tennessee where Sarah lives. Would it surprise you even more when I tell you that they were moving within 30 minutes of each other! All this to say (as women, don't we just love all the details!), Sarah and Monica, along with their husbands have shared a meal together, spent time together and it is the beginning of a friendship.

A new friendship has been made for me as well. A friendship is developing with a woman in our church that I have sat by and said hello in passing for several years. One day in October, she graciously took me out to lunch and since then God continues to grow us together as friends. We can share our hearts freely in being vulnerable and honest, share our joys and struggles, as well as encourage and pray for one another. We are two women who are trying to figure a lot of things out and along the way we keep finding Jesus. I am seeing God in a new found friend.

I see Him in my children's faces when we are laughing like crazy over old family videos. I love those moments when as a family we are absolutely delighting in one another and every care in the world is of no concern.

I have seen God reveal Himself to me through my husband too. Whether it's been through his actions such as a much needed hug without him not even knowing how much I needed one, or if it's been through his words and spiritual leadership. We have talked about things that really matter and God has come and given us peace, direction, and perseverance. This past month has brought some significant revelations to us as a couple and with every ounce of our being, we are surrendering, walking by faith, and trusting Him for what He has in store for us.

Our daughter, Jessica received her application for YWAM (Youth With A Mission) this week and a new chapter in all of our lives is quickly approaching. After much prayer, Jessica is pursuing going to the Maui campus where she will initially take courses in discipleship training and then spend time out on the mission field. I see God working in her when her faith doesn't waiver and she is believing Him for many things. I see a passion to serve the Lord, no matter what the cost, that can only come from the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

God has also revealed Himself in allowing us to be a part of someone else's spiritual journey. There is nothing like being with someone who is new in their faith or when God begins to make Himself known to someone who has lived their life without Him. To love, serve, and share life with those God brings into our lives is a privilege and I see God in that.

God is working and making Himself known all around us. All the time. Everyday. There are "Godstops" everywhere we look. Just open your eyes and see.

"And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD." ~ Ezekiel 38:23




27 comments:

  1. I love this post...I am so guilty of not stopping to take it all in. Looking forward to my own Godstops...thanks for the reminder!

    Have a great day!

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  2. Good Morning!! I love this post!! Thank you so much for this reminder. In a book I have read time and time again (Life As A Vapor, John Piper) he ends each chapter with a related prayer. One chapter was about exactly this and the prayer thanked God for all the ways the works in us and all the blessings he gives us each and every day and then asks for forgiveness for the arrogance we have to not even notice them. WOW!! That was life changing for me, so much so that my sweet hubby painted the prayer on a canvas for me for our new house. We must stop and notice what the Lord is doing in us, through us, and for us or we are being vain and arrogant towards our Creator, not to mention, we miss out on so much if we don't. THANK YOU for this much needed reminder, you are such a blessing!!

    Oh...and PS...how bout that with your sister?? God is good huh??

    Kellye

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  3. Grea post! A super reminder for all of us!

    How wonderful about your sister..that is a blessing! Moving is hard!
    -sandy toe

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  4. This is so encouraging. Sometimes I have a challenge seeing it all. Even when I look. So thanks for sharing. I'll try this afresh. God Bless.

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  5. You have reminded me to sit...be still...listen...look...and be thankful.

    I am so excited to see what God is doing in and through all of us; as individuals and as a family. He is mysterious but so good.

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  6. Hey friend~
    Isn't that what it's truly all about??? Noticing the Godstops in our lives?

    It's truly a challenge (and I believe it's a challenge because it's what God longs for us to do...and satan likes to fight us on it)to be still....watch...wait...and notice what God REALLY has in store for us each and every day of our lives.

    Thanks SO much for the encouragement!!!

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  7. I love this post!Thanks for sharing all the ways you have seen God at work in and through you.
    We often get so busy that we don't see the here and now and the so many ways that God is present. I want to be in the moment with Him and stop looking for what is ahead but what is NOW!
    Many blessings to your day!

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  8. God is Good!!! So happy for you and your family!
    Happy day wishes~ Les

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  9. i love to read what is happening in your life - i am encouraged!

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  10. Loved, loved this post! I have been a big fan of saying I want to see through God's eyes, but how important it is to see Him through our eyes, heart, circumstances and people around us.

    What a reminder! Thanks so much.

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  11. I have been drawn of late to the study of the hours. Prayerfully stopping a moments during the day to worship God - contemplate who He is and look for Him at that moment. We get so caught up in the frenetic pace of life that we lose sight of the details - the beauty in the details. We miss out on the simple joys and we miss out on opportunities to worship. I love your comment..."in recognition there is worship". How true it is! God wants our full attention. He deserves nothing less. Thank you for sharing this post.

    Blessings,
    Denise

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  12. God really is at work...I can see that through all the things that you shared, and it encourages me to keep my eyes open too! Thanks Christy!
    Carrie

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  13. Great blog! We featured you on http://www.faithtelegraph.com.

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  14. What a beautiful post. I love those God-stop moments. Some of them can be so ordinary, but actually are extraordinary!

    I just love journeying via this blog with you and your family as you grow in the Lord.

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  15. It's easy to be too rushed to see the God moments, isn't it? Thanks for the reminder! God is indeed good!

    Suzanne

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  16. Great post, Christy-Lou!

    I remember your thing for blank spaces and isn't it cool that He used that to help you see Him?
    That was a life changing bible study for me and I find myself still repeating truths from that class. I bet you cant' remember which one????

    By the way, dinner was awesome! And you were right about the rolls. How many buckeyes WERE in that jar?

    SQUEEZE!!!

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  17. Wow, Christy!

    I must be hormonal because every Godstop you described made my eyes misty.

    I, too, loved that part of the Believing God study. Thanks for taking me back there and opening my eyes.

    Love to you, sweet friend.

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  18. I just found you from ??, now I can't remember, by Grave's House. I am so glad I did. This post is wonderful--seeing things with a Godly perspective can change lives. I have done Believing God twice and it was life changing. I just started Esther and am excited about the study and how God will speak to me through the study. Have a blessed day and stop by my blog if you get a chance.

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  19. I love that story about Sarah and Monica! Actually, I love all of this. :)

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  20. I also loved the Godstop portions of Believing God. I initially did that study a few years ago with a women's small group at my church. This year, I am using it with two of the college girls I am discipling. I have enjoyed reading back through the Godstops I recorded back then, as I've worked back through the book with the girls.

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  21. Thanks for such an encouraging post! I just stopped by for a visit but I think I'll be following. I loved the posts, but what really got me was the Westies!! hahaha!

    My dearest and favorite pet, Kayleigh, was a Westie and I had to part with her several years ago when we were living overseas. My heart still aches for her and I delighted in seeing your pictures.

    Thanks for adding joy to my day!
    Bless you!

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  22. Thanks for the compliment on my new blog design. My "designer" has excellent prices and she is the sweetest most wonderful gal. I TOTALLY recommend her. Find here here:

    Miss Emily Rose - http://www.simplyvintagegirl.com/blog/

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  23. enjoyed this post. isn't it amazing how God works? i am so glad that your sister was able to make a connection in her new town. moving and starting over is so hard to do and just to know one person can make all the difference. i have seen lately that God is using the blogging world to reach his people.
    blessings today,
    nicole

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  24. I love this post. It makes me want to take Believing God again. I really think being present in the present and having these GodStops is such an awesome gift. I pray to become this way more often rather than being caught in the busyness of life. Thanks for your inspiring posts Friend.

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  25. Thank you for your post. God is always mindful of us. And a lot of the time it is through the simple things that great things come to pass. Thank you.
    Sandra

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  26. Thank you for sharing your Godstops! It's so encouraging to read and "see" how our Wonderful Lord is working in your lives and in the lives of those around you. It's always a faith-booster!

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  27. I am not sure how I ended up here in blog land lol...but it was fun to stop by.

    I enjoyed reading about your God Stops. It was a good reminder to slow down and as our Pastor would put it " look and see" what God is doing.

    I also wanted to make mention, that my youngest daughter left last spring for her DTS in Perth Australia, and had her outreach in YWAM in Jakarta Indonesian. It was truly a life time experience with the King.

    I am leaving a link to her blog that shares her YWAM journey...just in case your daughter might be interested.

    http://jennadear.blogspot.com/

    blessings

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