Last summer on the Parenting As Ministry listserve (aka PAM) there was a very thought-provoking discussion on the ways God leads us, individually and corporately. I found one member's response to be profound, yet funny, and her wisdom has stayed with me in the intervening months.
This month, I am pleased to welcome Lois Huneycutt as "Guest Mom." She is a woman in her 40s, married 10 years, and mother of two sons, ages 7 and 4. She says that her life at 40+ is nothing like she anticipated it would be at the age of 20, and for this she thanks the Lord every day!
The following is her post from PAM which she graciously agreed could be reproduced here. Thanks, Lois, for willingly sharing your heart with us.
Somtimes It's Just Canadian Bacon
by "Guest Mom" Lois Huneycutt
In recent days, I have been thinking and reflecting on how God speaks to me. I don't know, could not presume to know, what (or even whether) God is communicating to others. I do know, at least from my own experience, that God CAN be rather...enigmatic.
There have been plenty of times in my life when I have not CLEARLY heard what God wanted right away...but He kept nudging me along in the right direction. There have been times in my walk with God where I have been utterly clueless about where we were going or why, but together we have always ended up in the right place. Sometimes I think God sat up on His throne and roared with laughter as I finally put all the pieces together and figured out His plans!
I don't think I am alone in my inability to get it right or figure out all the messages right away. I don't really think Noah was quite clear why he was building a boat, or Abraham was too sure where he was going when he set out with his childless wife to build a great nation. Elijah laid down in the desert and begged to die once because he thought he might have gotten the Lord's directions wrong. I wonder whether Hosea really knew what was going on when God had him marry a prostitute. The key is that all these people were willing to step out in faith they heard the voice of God.
Sometimes, at least in my experience, we are called to do just that, step out in faith! Only then does God let us know what He has in mind for us. On the other hand, I remember one time back in college when I had a particularly disturbing dream and was pondering whether God was trying to tell me something. My roommate answered that God was probably telling me not to eat so much pizza so close to bedtime!
So there you have it - Sometimes it's the voice of God, sometimes it's just Canadian bacon.....sometimes it's hard to tell the difference!
Lois
May be used or reprinted with
written permission. 