Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

What a Friend!

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It was a comfortable silence. He was looking at something on the iPad, I was reading a book. From time to time we would look up and smile at each other.

After several nights of this, I realized something: We’re not talking. We’re not sharing. I’m not sharing my life with him. My husband. My best friend. I didn’t exclude him on purpose. We had just become very comfortable with each other. Like two old friends sharing a bench.

And that’s a good thing! We’re at home and relaxed with one another. But we also have to be careful not to take things for granted. Not to become TOO comfortable. Ever so slowly a distance can creep in. Our relationship can become three miles wide, and two inches deep. No depth, no substance. Kind of like the relationship I have with 400 of my closest friends on Facebook!

That isn’t the type of connection John and I want with each other. We want depth. To have that, we need to be deliberate in cultivating a stronger, deeper relationship.

I want the same thing with Christ. Deepness. And I need to be intentional about it. If I’m not careful, I can take this very important relationship for granted. I can become too comfortable during my prayer times with Him. This relationship with Christ – above all others – needs to move from shallow to deep. And then deeper still.

And so, just like in my marriage, I began to make adjustments. I began conversations. I tell Him about my day, my deepest feelings gushing out. I read His word, slowly dwelling on passages that speak to me.

I stop and listen to Him. I pour over the scriptures, careful to pause if a verse catches my attention. And then I read the passage again, slowly, letting it sink deep into my heart. And then I ask questions.

“Why, Lord? Why should I care what this scripture says? What does it have to do with me, today, 2,000 years after it was written? Why does this matter? What are You saying, Lord? Is this something I need to apply to my life? Is there a change I need to make?”

I love the questions. But more than that, I love when God answers them!

“Ellen, that scripture was written so that you can know the lengths I will go for a relationship with you. So that you know I love you and will pursue you. So that you can share with others how deep my love is for my people.”

The conversation becomes an intimate two way dialog. Comfortable, with depth.

Are you intentional about your relationship with Jesus? Are you cultivating the depths of His friendship?

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
John 15:15 (NLT)

Lord, how thankful I am that You count us as friends, that we can bring anything to You in prayer. Yes, indeed, what a privilege! Thank you for being such a personal God – You listen and hear our prayers. In Jesus powerful name, Amen.

Until next week,

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Linking up this week with these lovely writers:
Barbie at The Weekend Brew

Kelly at Purposeful Faith

Holly at Testimony Tuesday

Janis at Sunday Stillness

Jennifer Dukes Lee at Tell His Story

 

 

The Cardinal Rule of Prayer

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“Did you see that? A bird just flew into your window!”

“I know.”

“Here he comes again!”

WHAM!

“It’s a cardinal!”

The bright red bird slammed himself against my office window once again.

“How often does he do that?”

“A couple of times a day, several days a week, and he’s been at it for over a year!”

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After about six months, I named the bird. After nine months, I began having conversations with him (NOTE: 90% of my day I am alone in the office. It’s ok if I talk to the bird!):

“Redd, you are such a birdbrain! Stop. It. Stop it!  You aren’t getting anywhere!”

Mr. Redd is a perfect example of the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

Hmmph! I would never beat my brains out time and again, repeating the same thing, with no sign of progress! Not me! Never!

Or would I? The next morning during my prayer time, I found myself petitioning God for the same lost loved ones, the same prodigals, that had been off and on my prayer list for a year or more. Redd came to mind. I thought about his persistence and tenacity. I thought how consistently he beats himself against the window. He never gives up.

The only difference between me and Redd, is that I do give up. I pray and pray and pray, and don’t see anything happening. I think “What’s the use? This will never change!” And I stop beating my head against the window.

Luke 18:1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. (NLT)

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Shouldn’t I be insane in my praying? Can I do that? Pray insanely for someone or some situation? God is always working. I may never see the progress God is making. Or, the it may seem so small, that I don’t notice. Then one day, I look around, and my prayer has been answered!

Slowly, gradually over time, God has answered. No big fanfare or lightning flashes. Just a snail-like movement that almost goes unnoticed.

Mr. Redd may have seemed insane, but he taught me a powerful lesson:

Let your prayers be insane!

Always expect different results, responses, behaviors.

Always expect your prayers to make a difference! God can do it!

 

 

Linking up today with #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth, and Woman to Woman Wednesday!