YARP

I love to reminisce. I love looking back at old calendars, journal entries, and photo albums. And these days, thanks to technology there are old blog posts, the Timehop app, and my Facebook timeline to save all those details for me. So given my propensity to reminisce, today's date is a big one. On this day last year my prenatal doctor scheduled the c-section that would deliver our twins into the world. This time last year I was laying on an ultrasound table looking at my twins one last time before meeting them face to face. And I was remembering that today as I lay on another ultrasound table watching while the tech scanned my breasts for cancer.

I found a lump.

Spoiler alert: it's not cancer. It's nothing actually. The ultrasound showed nothing abnormal in my breast tissue. Maybe it's a miracle, maybe it's just the way God made my breasts. All I know is I can not stop saying "thank you God!" I'll save you the long story because it's not the point of today's post. I found the lump 3 weeks ago and have been wavering back and forth between faith and fear. Would I choose to trust my Savior to save me- heal me- deliver me from whatever this may be? Or would I let the enemy beat me up with his arrows of fear, doubt, and worry? I cannot say I was unwavering in my faith. I cannot say I didn't cry tears of pure sadness that maybe my children would grow up without me. I can say I have a squadron of prayer warriors surrounding me. The handful of people I told about the lump, they all prayed for me- out loud and in my presence not long after I shared the news. Not a promise to pray later but an immediate prayer in that moment. Talking to and leaning in to the One who really does have the power to bolster a faltering faith, send His Spirit of peace, and maybe even heal cancer, He really does listen when we pray. I have felt His presence, this feeling of a gooey warmth in my belly that replaces the rock hard pit of fear. This feeling of sitting inside a holy forcefield, where no barb, arrow, or bullet the enemy throws can penetrate. It is as real to me as the computer on which I type.  Here's my point- let's pray more for each other, out loud and in each other's presence. Yes, it could be awkward. Yes, it might make people feel uncomfortable. Yes, you might look a little strange with your head bowed in front of the cashier at Kroger or the waitress in the restaurant. But isn't God worth a little awkward? Isn't it worth feeling uncomfortable so people can know, firsthand, the peace that the Holy Spirit can bring? I am telling you the Lord our God is might to save and He is L I S T E N I N G to you. Also, He's REALLY good at it. He's a "hanging on every word" kind of listener. God doesn't listen like humans sometimes do, with one eye turned toward to TV or with His face glued to His phone. God gives you His full attention, looks deeply into your heart, and hears every word you will send His way. 

Need more proof?

"God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it." 
Psalm 145:18 (The Message)

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?" Matthew 7:11 (The Message)

"Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." James 5:16 (The Message)

P.S.- No matter where you stand on today's Supreme Court ruling would you take a few minutes and pray for our nation? I think we could use it.

P.P.S.- YARP is Pray spelled backwards. I couldn't think of a cool and catchy title for my blog post so I did the next best thing. I used a backwards word. You're welcome.