Welcome to “Finding God in Your Everyday.” I believe God wants to show us more of himself in our everyday, messy life, not just on Sunday mornings. So each Tuesday in August, a different writer will share a story about God revealing himself to her through a life experience. I hope these stories by women seeking God will encourage you to look for more of Him in your life as well!
My first guest is Kristine Brown from morethanyourself.com. Kristine has a gift for devotional writing and for discerning God’s voice.
God’s Plans Include an Evacuation Route
Packing and preparing a teenage boy for youth camp presents quite a challenge. Especially when I’m attempting to spew out as many directives as possible while stuffing the suitcase full. “Is he even listening?” I ask myself as his eyes glaze over.
I try with last-minute desperation to remember every crucial piece of advice I can give for a week at camp. In another state, no less. This is the first time he will venture 16 hours away from home without his parents. That calls for a heaping load of you musts and you mustn’ts for sure. Here are a few that come out of my mouth:
Be sure to wear your sunscreen. Don’t forget your neck and ears, too.
Be nice to everyone.
Set an example.
Be a leader, not a follower.
Make good choices.
Use good manners.
Don’t spend all your money the first day.
Drink lots of water.
Don’t let your athletic shoes get wet.
Text me when you get there.
After frantically finishing the preparations and dropping him off in the church parking lot with a big hug, I returned home. Whew! I then ventured out for my morning walk to clear my head of all the chaos. I suddenly realized I could not remember a single order I had given him before he left. If I couldn’t remember, how on earth did I expect him to?
Just as panic began to work its way into my heart, I rounded the next corner and came upon a sign in our neighborhood that read, “Evacuation Route.” The sign has been there for years, but I hadn’t noticed it until today.
It occurred to me at that moment there was only one piece of advice I needed to give to my teenager before he left.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, God always provides a way out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
We may at times forget our Father’s advice, and we may not always make the right choices. Like an eager teen heading off to camp, our lives are filled with unexpected situations and new experiences. Paul encourages believers in 1 Corinthians by sharing an unwavering promise from God. Even though sometimes we will fall into temptation, He is faithful. God’s plans include an evacuation route.
My son will return from camp at the end of the week with a bag full of dirty clothes and fun memories. (And most likely a sunburn, too!) As he gets older, he will have even more opportunities to travel and spend time away from home. Committing this scripture to memory will prepare us well for the unexpected situations we will encounter on the road ahead.
Whatever plans God has for you, know this. Getting ready involves more than an over-stuffed suitcase or a list of orders. Our best preparation is carrying God’s promise in our hearts. Now that we’ve packed our spirits full with His Word today, we’re ready to set out on our next adventure!
Now it’s your turn: What do you think is the best way to get ready for the plans God has for you? What’s a favorite promise you like to carry with you?
Kristine is a writer, dramatist, and former English teacher. She desires to support women in their spiritual lives with practical teaching for real-life struggles. Kristine devotes her time to freelance writing and her non-profit ministry, More Than Yourself, Inc. You can read more from Kristine at www.morethanyourself.com or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
I love linking with these communities: Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRalinkup, and Grace and Truth. Check them out for more encouragement.
Such a good word! Keeping our focus on Jesus, He will give us the path to walk no matter what our circumstances…many blessings to you ❤️
Thank you Beth, and I am so thankful He helps us refocus our attention on him during those crazy-hectic times. Many blessings to you today!
Beautiful, Kristine! God always provides a way out! I love that advice and I can imagine the glazed over look that your son had as you gave him so many last minute directions before camp. Since I have two boys I have also caused that look many times. My favorite promise from God is His gift of grace that He gives us over and over in our messiness and brokenness. I also prepare for God by opening my heart and listening. I am in the process of doing that right now in an intentional way. Blessings friend!
Oh good, I’m glad I’m not the only one! Heehee. Of course I was thinking, “I sound like my mom!” It wasn’t until I had a moment of quiet that God reminded me of His promise. I should always remember to take time with Him first, before trying to tackle a busy day:) Even when we have to leave at 5:30 in the morning! Thanks for the sweet comment, Mary.
Love this, Kristine! My boys are a few years younger than yours, but I could relate to packing them up and trying to give them all the advice I can possibly think of while they look at me like, when is she going to stop talking? 🙂 What a great reminder this is that the best preparation is having God and His Word and His promises in our hearts. So we’re truly ready for whatever comes our way. Thank you for this!
I just love that look, don’t you? Boys are so sweet:) I know he is eager to please, but sometimes my mouth moves too fast for the both of us! Thanks for visiting and commenting, Angela. Have a great day!
And God is faithful…. Kristine, your words are timely, and I cherish them today. Dad was hospitalized yesterday. Although I saw him directly after She Speaks, I’ll likely be flying back “home” tomorrow. This type of situation is usually my “freak out” opportunity. Yours is the second Scripture in the past few hours that is laying groundwork, reminding me of God’s faithfulness. Keep calm and carry on, right? #writeonJesusgirl. Am praising God for your words, and thanking Him, Betsy, for your generosity. #intentionalTuesday
Kristi, I will be praying for you and your dad. I understand completely what you are going through right now. May God’s Word speak comfort to your heart, friend.
Kristi, I’m so sorry. I’m praying for you and for your dad. I’m also giving thanks for your faith and strength. You are NOT a freak out woman. You are a woman who stands on the Rock and keeps your eyes fixed on Jesus. May the Lord surround you with His presence.
Hi Kristine and Betsy! I can just see myself in you, as you packed and tried to prepare your son for camp. It seems like such a big step! I guess I have ‘big steps’ in my life too, and plans the Lord has for me. The promise I try to remember is this mantra: “God is near us, God is for us, God is with even now…” It gives me the strength to know that not only will He provide a way out, He’ll provide a way in!
Your neighbor at #RaRa Linkup,
Ceil
I love that mantra, Ceil! I’m sure I will look back in a few years and wonder what all the fuss was about:) It’s tough watching them grow and hoping we’ve given good advice. God’s Word is safe, secure, and always the best advice I can give! Blessings, neighbor.
I think about that verse in 1 Corinthians 10 often, and especially the verse right before it which says (NLT) “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” We are always one mistake away from falling. It happens sometimes before we even realize it. But thank God for His mercies and for showing us a way out of those pits we fall into.
Great Word to meditate on. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Blessings!
Oh Angel, that is an awesome verse. It is so easy to get prideful and think we can do it all on our own. Thank you for sharing that verse here. Yes, we often get ourselves into those hard places, don’t we. Praise God for His mercy and patience. He never gives up on us!
I love that phrase, Kristine, “packing God’s promises in our hearts.” He even provides a way out for us when we’re tempted to worry … a promise to always be with us, a promise that He’s gone before us, and a promise that whatever we face He will work out for our good. Thank you, Kristine, for reminding me to pack God’s promises deep in my heart and for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
I liked that phrase, too Crystal. How funny to think that Kristine was packing herself when she wrote it. God DOES speak through our everyday! 🙂
Thanks Crystal! I think I was in ‘packing’ mode for She Speaks when I wrote that, too. So between packing my son for camp and packing myself, that phrase just came out in my writing! LOL Isn’t it funny how our daily experiences shape our thoughts? Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom! I am always going to try to remind my sons to “pack God’s promises in their hearts”!