Thoughts and Prayers Count (Part 1 of 2)

Thoughts and Prayers

“I’m praying for you,”  ‘thoughts and prayers,’ or ‘thinking of you,’ are statements that roll off the tip of the tongue, close out a Get Well card, and more often than not, end a Facebook or Twitter posting in response to the other person’s troubles or loss. ‘Thoughts and prayers’ speak to the need and says the message the writer wishes to convey to the friend or colleague going through a hard time. 

     But there is an outcry against this sort of thing. Some say it has little impact and falls short of caring, indicating it's trite and silly. But is it really? I beg to differ.

     When the person infers they’re praying, the other person receives it as ‘I’m standing with you in this, and I am backing you up in prayer.’

Yes, words like these bring comfort to the afflicted and light to the journey. People need each others’ comfort and encouragement. Dark days in the daily or on the horizon come to all people, spiritual or not. How others respond to the crisis, with love and prayers, makes a difference, and may determine whether the hurting person feels alone, or feels cared for by those who know their troubles.

I am more aware and self-conscious when I write the phrase ‘thoughts and prayers’ because of the criticism. Some see the sentiment as shallow, disingenuous, or as something that simply doesn’t work or move people to do the right thing. Is this criticism justified? Are ‘thoughts and prayers’ at fault? Does it not deliver the goods? Certainly, prayers should include right hearts and spiritual actions. The phrase is meant as an encouragement, a kind way to say, I’m hanging in there with you. 

For some, it’s not just a phrase, they do pray, and their prayers make a difference. How much difference, only God knows.

People reach out to each other in a way their community accepts and believes. In the Christian/religious community these kinds of phrases communicate the human element in combination with the God element. It invokes the Divine Presence to minister to the human area of need. “Thinking of you” is a secular form of addressing and acknowledging a loss or struggle. I think it brings comfort in its own way.

I mean it when I say, thoughts and prayers. How about you?

Your Place in the Cosmos

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

 “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 7:11

You Have a Unique Part to Play

YOU ARE IN THE STORY. You are. You are an active participant, not as an observer but as a living, breathing, genuine, God-designed being. You have a gift that only you can give. You have a song that only you can sing. You have a message that only you can impart. 

This is your destiny. You are defined by your unique, God-given purpose. 

Before we were formed in our mother’s womb, God had a plan for each one of us. He put eternity in our hearts. God has a plan and a future for you, and he has a separate plan and future for me. God’s plan for us is our personal and spiritual destiny, combined into one. Our destiny is our number one purpose for living. Discover your purpose and you will know why you are here in the cosmos.

Be who you are meant to be. It is a waste of time and energy to build a false persona.

Find out who you are and then center yourself in this knowledge, your destiny. Stop trying to be someone you aren't and never will be, and stop trying to be like other people or like that other person you idolize. You never were meant to be those other people or like that other person. Be you.

God gave you your identity. Ask him to guide and direct in your pursuit of knowing him.  

The more you know God, the more you will know yourself (and your purpose). God has answers to our questions. When we begin to listen, when we pursue a living spirituality, when we make sacrifices of any personal, self-made ambitions, then we are able to come a little closer in understanding our own unique purpose. Let God in to help and guide you. Allow him access to your real self.

Your life will take on greater meaning and substance. You won't be sorry. Come alive.

The Best Way To Do Life

Godly Wisdom Speaks

He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

            Micah 6:8

This is the life verse of a friend of mine. She is a spiritual mentor to me and is the mother of a friend from my youth. Not only is she a godly woman of depth and character, she is a professional woman in the real estate business. We have spent many long hours together. Her speech is full of wisdom and grace. I learn from her every time I am in her presence.

When she was interviewed by the local paper in regard to her work, she shared Micah 6:8 as the guiding principle for her work ethic. I thought it bold of her to do so. "To act justly and to love mercy" are words to live by; and she lives them. My friend trusts in God and follows his principles.

In a dog-eat-dog world, it is nice to have a friend who follows God's ways instead of the man's ways. Part of this is loving well. I have seen her love complete strangers while on the job. She amazes me. God's ways are pure in motive. He gives that purity of thought to those attuned to his ways. I think it a good way to live life.

Make no mistake, this is the best way to do life.

Become Healthy and Whole

You Can Do It

I was talking with my friend the other day when we touched on serious matters. She is growing, changing, and learning on her journey to health. This has required much of her. Destructive patterns and dysfunction have messed with her, big time. She is unstoppable.

Life used to overwhelm her. Major hurts set her back. She's been destroyed many a time. BUT SHE NEVER GIVES UP.  She chooses life. She embraces wholeness. Her lifesaver is God. I've been walking this journey with her. Watching her figure it out reminds me that one doesn't get well without facing your own stuff and picking up the pieces so you can move forward.

As we talked, I couldn't help but think how far she's come. Courage and grace have become her companions. It has taken both of them for her to get this far--plus God's help, faithful friends, and wise counselors. Besides that, her adult children are also taking positive steps forward. They follow her lead as she intentionally pours into their lives. She doesn't give up, even those times when bad things happen and she's in panic mode. I am amazed at her ability to move on after a crisis.

We grow if we want to. In the process of growing, we have to grow past wrong thinking. These are discovered day by day as they are faced one by one. For healthy growth--spiritually, mentally and emotionally--we actively sort through our opinions, conclusions and beliefs. 

Our minds refresh along the way. 

     Our relationships experience relief. 

          Our lives improve. 

Growth is dependent on our willingness to objectively go there in our self awareness. Though it is a painful process that takes time, it also is freeing and life-giving. God helps us see what we are missing and apply what we can access.

I have watched some of my dearest friends make this leap into health and wholeness as they become more the person they were always meant to be. They gain a precious new quality about them. This blesses me no end. They would say it's worth it. I do, too.