I love the way God works! No matter how I try to imagine or pray for something I perceive as good, He takes it and turns it into something even better!
He is not limited by my imagination and He is always outdoing Himself. I feel so loved and cared for because of this care and kindness! I also use this as inspiration for my prayers. I’ve been working to get past “get-by” prayers – prayers that ask for bare minimum.
Instead, knowing I serve a loving and generous Father, I ask for bold and best-case-scenario things, knowing that He will take care of the details and provide just what I need!
Get-By Prayers
Get-by prayers might be a knee-jerk reaction to everyday life. We go through the day late and in a hurry and ask for just enough help to get-by.
I imagine we’ve all been there. I’d even argue that there are seasons that drive us down this path even in our lives today. But recognizing them is the first step in changing! Take a few moments each day to evaluate your life. Don’t just discount your responsibility because you’re busy – we all are. And I might also argue, each of us is just as busy as we allow ourselves to be.
So take a few minutes to pause and ask God what He would have you evaluate in your life. Or maybe something instantly springs to mind and you know what you need to take care of. And instead of uttering frantic, get-by prayers, imagine a best-case-scenario and take that to God in prayer! He has a way of outdoing anything we can contrive and I love to give my conversation with Him careful consideration!
I have been practicing this in the area of hiring for the shops. Instead of praying for an employee to simply help fill the schedule, I’ve taken the best of each of my current employees and asked God to bring me someone even better equipped! I want these businesses that He has entrusted me with to bring glory to His name, so we need the best of the best – not get-by employees!
Raise The Bar
It seems to me that life has a way of meeting our expectations. Like I often say, you find what you look for. Look for the good and you’ll be amazed at the wonder and beauty around you. Not that the negative won’t be there too, it’s just not what you focus on. But expect bad things to happen, and they will quite literally chase you down!
Now I’m not saying that bad things aren’t out there. Evil is prevalent and terribly celebrated and embraced. But what if you raised the bar on your thoughts and expectations? Fill your mind with good, pure, and wonderful thoughts – I think you might see far more of God’s glorious provision, don’t you?
We can’t outdo God. So when we look to things above, when we raise the bar on our habits and expectations, He has a way of bringing something even better into our lives!
Glorious Provision
God never fails to astonish me with His glorious provision. The details He so masterfully brings together, the way He helps us grow and understand Him better, the love and the mercy He shows us daily, etc.
I work hard not to be limited by my own imagination. I ask God to fuel my days, to stretch my mind, and to make His plans my dreams. And then I do my best to lean in, knowing He will bring something even better than the best things I can contrive!
I’ve heard it said and I heartily agree, when I get to heaven one day, I want to be able to tell God I gave Him my all, I didn’t hold back one bit. Even when I was scared or uncertain, even when I felt alone or unsure, I did my best to claim His incredible armor and step forward in confidence that He would fill all the deficits that my flawed human self has.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in Him. When I feel incapable, I remember it is not by my strength or my power, but by His. He has a way of taking anything and everything and turning into something even better than we can ask, think, or imagine. But the thing is, we need to stretch our imagination, we need to stretch our proverbial muscles, and believe that He will show up and be Who He says He is!
Until Next Time!
Hope.