Monday, February 20, 2012

A Date with the ONE and ONLY

It was a morning I would rather forget. Life seemed to be going so smoothly, so well. And then it all seemed to fall apart in a matter  of minutes. 

Ever had one of those days? The more I tried to fix things, the worse they got. 

I had been invited to attend a women's ministry Christmas gathering later that night. That was the last thing I wanted to do. After all, I would be surrounded by cheery voices and laughter. I just didn't feel cheery and laugh-y. 

I argued with God for a while about going. He nudged. I resisted. He paved a way for me to go when my sweet husband volunteered to watch the children. I finally gave in.

All the way there, I cried. Seriously, Lord? This is supposed to be a happy event -- I do not want to show up with a white-washed face with swollen eyes. I do not want my pain to be visible!

I walked in the door of this very welcoming home with my Apple Dump Cake in hand. Just as I had suspected, I was met with smiling faces and warm hearts. Ordinarily, I would have been so excited to be with other women and share such sweet fellowship. But today was different. I really wanted to go dig a hole, crawl in it, and somehow disappear from life for a while.

I reluctantly joined a few conversations. Then our women's ministry leader who is a sweet friend of mine explained to me that there were "reflection" stations scattered throughout the house.

The stations were all different. One had a board on which to post prayer requests and pray for others. Another station had some Scripture to read and offer reflection. The third station was near the fireplace and had a cross. The cross was to remind us that Jesus carries our burdens -- whatever they are. My eyes welled up.

But it was the final station that got me. There was a basket filled with small rolled up pieces of paper. We were to take one as a gift from Jesus. I assumed that these papers would contain words of affirmation, words of hope, words of love. This excited me as God knew I needed that, especially today. I opened my small yellow scroll slowly, anticipating what God may say to me. And this is what He said:

I wept. I actually had to excuse myself. 


One of the reasons this was so profound and so personal for me is that a few weeks prior to this I had gone to Starbucks while I was waiting for my daughter during drama practice. I had taken my journal and Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts with me. I approached chapter 7, "Seeing Through the Glass." The more I read, the more I cried. Right there in the middle of Starbucks. God spoke in volumes that night and I declared that Starbucks was a date venue for me and God. 


So, you know how much this little yellow scroll of intimate words meant to me. Yes, there was a gift card waiting for me on the fridge. Yes, anyone would have been happy to receive this token. But for me, it was a reminder to me that the God of the Universe knows me intimately. He knows when I am having a terrible, no-good day and I need to know He is still in control. 


I am continuing my Love List today. I know this post is long. But I wanted you to know that I LOVE the fact that my God, our God, is so very personal. He longs for intimacy with us. He desires deep relationship. And He loves us like no other. 


Whatever kind of day you are having, or whatever trial you are going through, God wants to be WITH YOU. He is GOD WITH US. I would love to hear from you and pray for you.


Now go...


He is waiting. (Maybe even at Starbucks!)


Living for ONE,




Kelli


Linking with Jen at 


11 comments:

Leslie said...

Oh I love it! He is so personal and so intimate!

Kelli Williams Wommack said...

Yes, He is! I love this story. It gives me chills the ways He knows me and gets me.

Sharita Knobloch said...

God is such an awesome romancer... I love that he wants to take us on frequent dates. He always knows when we need it!

I went on a date with God this morning on the Fort Benning River Walk... I had a chance to talk with him for 1 hr and 37 minutes, reveling in His beauty. He gave me tiny delicate pink, purple and white flowers on the trail, frogs singing in the creek and a Baby dog who learned to splash through the puddles and make me laugh.

Yep. We are on a permanent honeymoon-- he's always there waiting for me!

Thanks for this reminder Kelli, and thanks for the prayers. :-)

Kelli Williams Wommack said...

Love it...especially since you timed it...1 hr and 37 minutes, my administratively gifted friend. God is so good. He is a dream date!

Cailey Dumler said...

Love your authenticity. This is beautiful. We do serve an awesome God!

Kelli Williams Wommack said...

Thanks, Cailey. I appreciate your comment so much!

Kelli Williams Wommack said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Great post, Kelli! Thanks for reminding me to take time out to really spend quality time with God. I'm often rushed to get in a little time. I need to remember to slow down and and really make it count. You are right, HE knows just what we need.

kd sullivan said...

I have so been there! Each time I have hardship I tend to isolate...and I'm well aware about what Scripture says about isolation. :) God does tenderly care for you.

Melanie said...

Very cool!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I love it when the Lord (and his people) bring surprises into our life ... just when we need it.

Fondly,
Glenda