Why God Withholds Blessings Sometimes

Two weeks ago I bought one of my daughters a pair of sandals.  She loved them at first glance, but I could see they were just a bit too big for her.  She tried them on, took a few steps, and insisted they would fit fine.

I had my suspicions, and asked her again if she was sure these were going to fit.  After another round of insisting, I gave in and bought the shoes ... which I haven't seen on her since.

You see, we have a  history, my girl and I, of this happening.  Her insisting she'll wear something, only to get it home and find there's something just not right about it.  It's too tight here, it itches there, and so on. 

This morning she finally admitted they didn't fit right.  So her sister is the proud owner of a new pair of sandals today.

This pattern is frustrating to me.  I never know when she's going to decide she doesn't like today what she loved yesterday.  Honestly, it makes me NOT want to buy her anything expensive so that we don't waste the money.

My mom took the girls to a puppet show this morning, and so I had some time to think after they left.  And I realized that God must think the same thing about me sometimes.  There are times when I'm sure I want something ... I see others having the same thing, and it looks like fun. It almost fits me, and I could wear it, but in reality, there's something that's just not right about it. 

In my past, this has happened more with responsibilities than clothing.  I'm enthusiastic about a lot of things, and often only see the bright shiny surface of the opportunity.  Without taking time to really investigate the reality of that opportunity, I've gotten myself involved with things that really weren't a good fit.

Interestingly, just like I bought my daughter the shoes, even with my suspicions, God has allowed me to "put things on" that He knew all along wouldn't fit.  I had to learn it for myself that what He picks out for me is really the best fit of all.

The challenge is figuring that all out.  It's intentionally going to God and asking Him to confirm my choices and opportunities.  It's not jumping at something because it looks good.  It's wearing something awhile (if I can) before I "buy" it. 

I want to be able to buy my daughter lovely things that I know will fit her well.  But for now, she is still learning to trust my judgment, and not be impulsive. 

Does God want to give me blessings, but withholds them until I trust His judgement completely?  It's an interesting question for a Saturday morning. 

Grace & Peace to you today, my friend.

Glynnis

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Congratulations to Ashley for winning the sticky note portfolio I was giving away this past week.  Thanks to everyone who commented as well.  I've got lots more fun things to give away so keep reading.  Ashley - I sent you an email, but if you don't get it, contact me directly at editor@proverbs31.org.

What story has changed your life?

Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com called "... and she lives happily ever after."  If your read my blog before you might recognize it.  It's based on a post I wrote awhile back.  If you are visiting for the first time, I bid you welcome. 

This devotion was inspired by something I read on someone's blog.  She's not a personal friend, although I feel I know her after reading her blog for a few years.  Perhaps you know her too.  Her blog is called Especially Heather.   She came to She Speaks last year, although I didn't get to meet her.  If I had, I would have told her in person how much her writing has meant to me.  I'm hoping I can tell her today.

Although I don't read Heather's blog regularly, when I do, I spend some time catching up.  If you don't know Especially Heather, she has faced some serious challenges for a young woman, including cancer and having a special needs child.  

On the day I visited, I read a post where she wrote something that reached down deep in my soul, grasped hold of the edges  and whispered vehemently for me to pay attention.  Although I can't quote her, she said  she knows her story is going to end well, one way or the other. 

Those simple words about her story ending well, caused me to step outside my rut and see the bigger picture.  I'll be honest, seeing the bigger picture is hard for a woman like me.  I'm the one who cuts bunches of grapes into handy individual sections, irons her children's t-shirts and doesn't go to sleep until all her teenagers are safely in bed.  I don't do "big picture" easily.   I'm a keep-your-head-down, worry-about-the-details type of gal.

But Heather's words have really stuck with me.  They remind me of what I know to be true about living as a Christian: This moment is important, but it doesn't define me.   I was created for a bigger purpose.  I may face challenges, both major and minor, but they shape me, not crush me. 

Remembering that my story ends well causes me to lift my head and get perspective.  This isn't the end.  It's just a chapter or maybe just a  page in the story.  There will be a happy ending for those of us who love Jesus and follow Him.

Today I'm thankful for stories.  I'm thankful for Especially Heather who is willing to share her story, for thousands of authors (some published, most not) who write faithfully to craft life-changing stories, and for the Author of the greatest story of all.

To celebrate stories, I've got some books to giveaway.  As an editor, I often get preview books, and I'd like to share some today.  One book is Ann Voskamp's latest, "one thousand gifts." To win, simply answer one of the questions below, and make sure you include a way for me to contact you.  I'll select a winner at random (using random.org) on Saturday, so please check back.

What book (besides the Bible) has changed your life in some way?  How?

What author (besides God and the authors in the Bible) has changed your life.  How?
This question is to include all those incredible writers who haven't been published ... yet.

Are you wondering what book I read?  I'll tell you.  It was "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I then read the follow-up book titled "World Without End."  They were both rough for a historical romance reader like me.   Can you tell I really like happy endings?   And I"m determined?

In His Love,
Glynnis

What NOT to do when facing disappointment (and a winner)

Right before Christmas a letter arrived from one of my publishers. Since I know most good news comes either by phone or email, I wasn't excited.  And, turns out, my instincts were right.  It wasn't good news.

Sadly, a year after it was released, my book, "When Your Child is Hurting" was being taken out of circulation. 

I knew the publisher took a risk on the topic, and me - truth be told.  And the weight of that decision sat heavy on me. My first response was tears, for several reasons.  The first was sadness that I disappointed the good people at the publishing house who invested in the book.  Second there was a personal sadness that I didn't make it work.  As much as I tried to hold off the negative thoughts about my writing and potential, a few snuck in. 

Even though I've got another book in the works, that one disappointment started to stain everything I believed about my calling to write. 

Maybe I'm just not cut out to write in this market.
Maybe my writing is boring.
Maybe I'm too boring to write in this market.

The day after I got the letter, I read this blog post by Seth Godin,

So I put on my big girl panties, (like my sweet friend Lysa likes to say), and decided that it wasn't the time to declare myself a failure.  It was the time to embrace hard, and dig in. 
 
Godin ended his post with these sentences:
 

The first five years of my solo business, when the struggle seemed neverending, I never missed a day, never took a nap. (I also committed to ending the day at a certain time and not working on the weekends. It cuts both ways.)

In short: show up.

Interesting how God knew I needed to hear those words on exactly that day.  God wasn't telling me "no" - I was. 

Perhaps someone else needs to hear these words today.  If you are facing something painful today, please don't give up - at least not now when your emotions are threatening.  I remembered something else a friend once told me:  "Don't doubt in the dark what you know to be true in the light."  


And now, abruptly changing the subject, I picked a winner completely at random for the gift basket from Rose Lane Cottage.  It will contain some little goodies that I'll tuck in for you.  The winner is Shelia Hall.  I've emailed you personally for your mailing address.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to post a comment.  I LOVED reading them.

In His Love,
Glynnis

Art is hard. Selling is hard. Writing is hard. Making a difference is hard.



When you're doing hard work, getting rejected, failing, working it out--this is a dumb time to make a situational decision about whether it's time for a nap or a day off or a coffee break.

I'm stopping to smell them

I just had to share the most beautiful sight.  This morning the roses in my and my neighbor's front yard looked especially vibrant.

Every morning I walk by this bush, and I think to myself, "Stop and smell the roses."

So each morning I pause, press my nose against a bloom, and breathe deeply.  Just that second's pause seems to do something in me.  It orients me.  It settles me.  It reminds me there is beauty to experience all around.

I need to do that type of thing more often.  With things and people other than roses.  Like ...

*  Pause and look into the face of my child.

*  Put my arms around my husband and hold for just two seconds longer than normal.

*  Call my mom ... just because.

*  Sit down on the couch with no agenda and listen for God to speak.

In this busy Christmas season, that rose bush was a good reminder for me to seek out more sweet moments.

Speaking of roses, I ran a little contest earlier this week to give away a bar of rose scented soap.  I'm happy to announce the Emily B won the soap.  Thanks for the suggestion on showing hospitality to someone going through a hard time. 

Stopping and smelling roses,

Glynnis