Hearing God Speak in My Chaos
Brain fog.
Every. Word. I. Type. Is. Deliberate. And. Forced.
I can’t seem to focus on anything long enough to create a coherent thought, let alone write a witty, yet spiritually profound blog post. Not that I’ve ever done that, but a girl can dream.
Whenever I step out to teach on a subject, I found myself knee-deep in living out the message of that subject. Teaching on loving others? Suddenly, I’m surrounded by hard-to-love people. Teaching on having a God-honoring thought life? Amazing how the sinful thoughts in my head multiply exponentially.
So, just in case you didn’t know, I’m teaching this month at my church on Hearing God Speak in the Midst of Chaos. Chaos, people!
(Long pause)
In the last 48 hours, my washing machine broke, my dishwasher started leaking all over my kitchen floor, blue nail polish splattered all over the upstairs carpet, green tempura paint spilled all over the basement carpet, crayon was scribbled all over the master closet carpet AND the family room carpet, and every one of my precious children has kicked into high maintenance mode, exhibiting all manner of energy-draining-tension-producing behavior.
Chaos.
So what is God saying to me in my chaos?
For one, I’m pretty sure I’m hearing something about high-efficiency front-loading appliances and hardwood floors. Still a little fuzzy on that, though.
For two, I’m thinking my next series is going to be Hearing God Speak While Soaking in a Bubble Bath and Eating Chocolate.
But I’m really certain I’m hearing this:
“I love you with an undying, everlasting love. I have searched you and I know you. I know when you sit and when you rise; I perceive your thoughts from afar. I discern your going out and your lying down; I am familiar with all your ways. Before a word is on your tongue, I know it completely, And nothing will separate you from my love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from my love. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore boast all the more gladly about you weaknesses, so that my power may rest on you. That is why, for my sake, delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when you are weak, then you are strong.”
Hearing God speak in the midst of chaos is a beautiful thing. And so are hardwood floors.
"For two . . ." Ha! You are still clever and witty and funny even in the chaos, my friend! Great post today.
Oh, honey. Sounds like you do need a long soak and some chocolate.
I was gonna recommend brownie blobs yesterday, but that would have required you to bake something in the midst of chaos.
Hope today's better for you. Your post was still funny despite it all.
xo
You guys are so cute. Thanks.
I hear ya, sister! Whenever I get serious about sitting down to write my book (on mommy anger), my children turn into demanding, whining, fighting, disrespectful (albeit cute) little monsters. Praying like crazy over you and your (His) message!
I'm with you, Sandy! FYI – we had a nail polish incident a couple months ago. Barbisol shaving cream took the polish out!! It takes a bit of work, but take it from me, our carpet was splattered with mango orange nailpolish and now it's back to normal!! Like the idea of the bubble bath and chocolate! God bless!
I am a new reader to your blog. Thank you for putting yourself out there spiritually.
I, too have experienced just what you described. The enemy is powerful, and seeks to destroy even our good intentions, much moreso our actual efforts. Please don't give him the victory. Those with you are greater than those with him. Allow God to do is work in spite of the chaos.
I'm already looking forward to the post about your victory, especially the new front loading laudry equipment!!
Lori
It amazes me constantly how He speaks to us…we just have to be listening. 🙂 Sometimes I wonder, looking back, before I really started listening to Him…what did I miss…what did He say that I desperately needed to hear, but was so caught up in the world that I couldn't hear Him. Now that I've been walking with Him…I never want to miss a step…I never want to miss what He has to say to me. 🙂
With joy,
Cherie
Thank you Sandy for speaking what we all think and feel! We do experience chaos in so many forms. I, too, can relate to your last 48 hours. God is always speaking to us, that's for sure! Love the verses you used at the end.
Blessings to you and your family!
All I can say, is "Me, too."
I just wish I could be still without a body part shaking…WAY TOO MUCH ADRENALINE.
Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting…I will be back again to read more on this topic.
Thanks for sharing the link, but unfortunately it seems to be offline… Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!
I would appreciate if a staff member here at http://www.godspeakstoday.net could post it.
Thanks,
Charlie