Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What's on Your Mind '09? - God in the Ordinary

What's on Your Mind '09? is a new blog carnival which Shane at Heart Reflections began to challenge writers and encourage conversation. I am pleased to play hostess this week!
So what's today's topic of conversation?

We have all heard from God when we read our Bibles, listened to sermons at church, or gone to Bible study, right? But is God limited to our “spiritual” activities? Or does He show Himself in the middle of our everyday activities, too? Share about a time when God spoke to your heart in the midst of the ordinary.
I remember an ordinary morning, not too long ago, when God met me in the van. It was early and I was on my way to work out with my trainer.
For some reason I was thinking about some of the places I would love to go and speak. God had put particular people and places on my heart and I was praying about them, telling God how much I want to go, but pointing out the obvious. (As if He didn't already know!) God, I know the distance isn't a big deal to You, and I know You have the resources. But the distances are big for us, and plane tickets are expensive. Lord, You know I would love to go to X, Y, and Z, but...
At just about this point in my prayer, I turned the corner and saw a train crossing the road. I sighed, and for a moment I stopped praying. I hadn't planned for a train to slow me down. I needed every second I had to make it to the studio on time. Trains don't usually cross my path on workout mornings, so this one caught me by surprise.
OK, honestly, it wouldn't be a big deal if I was a minute or two tardy. (In fact, it might get me out of a few reps of torture.) But the Type-A freak in me was not liking the prospect of being late. So I continued on, hoping - somehow - I would be on time.
That's when God showed off. Before I reached the railroad tracks, before I even had to apply the brakes, the end of the train passed and the gates raised. I breathed a sigh of relief, drove over the tracks, and wondered, What was that all about???
Really, in the 13 months that I have been getting up at 5:35 (A.M.!!!) to go into the studio to workout, I can only think of one other time that I've seen a train. On this otherwise ordinary morning, this train was not ordinary, and I wanted to understand why it had crossed my path.
At that very moment, God spoke to my heart. It was as if He said, Karen, dear, do you think it was too difficult for Me to arrange for that train to cross your path this morning? I've only done it once before, you know. Nah, it was easy.
The timing was pretty good, don't you think? I worked that out for you at the same time I was managing the rest of the universe, too, darling. I can do that.
And do you know what else I can do? I can take you anywhere I want you to go to share the message of hope I have placed in you. I can do it, Karen. No distance is too far, and no expense is to great. I can do it.
And I will.
Watch Me!


That's my story of God in the ordinary. What's yours?
If you have a blog, I hope you'll share your thoughts and use Mr. Linky so we can all come and read. (Aren't you proud of me? I figured "him" out all by myself! OK, there were step-by-step instructions on his website. But I carried them out all by myself. *grin*)
And if you don't have a blog, that's OK. Please share your experience of God in the ordinary in my comment section.

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11 comments:

Jerralea said...

Isn't it awesome how He can run the universe and yet coordinate the slightest detail for us? Our God reigns!

I can't believe I'm the first to post on your Mr. Linky! Most of the time, I'm last ...

Thanks for hosting this week, Karen!

luvmy4sons said...

He is amazing how He cares for the tiniest deatials of our life while keeping the universe spinning. We have an awesome God! Why do we ever wonder or fret over anything...He is in control!

Anonymous said...

I do alot of talking to God while I am driving. Alot of it is about Green Lights. LOL

I loved this post!! Thanks for hosting us!

Amanda said...

I am starting to work on mine right now and hope to have it up for tomorrow! I LOVED your experience and telling of it. Wonderful!

Many blessings-
Amanda

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Karen:
Thanks for hosting this today! About a week ago, while washing my face, God clearly spoke to my spirit with these words...

"If you write conviction, elaine, you'd better live conviction, or be prepared for conviction to find its way to your table."

I nearly drowned in my facial scrub. I quickly grabbed a pen and have let the truth of that moment marinate in my heart and mind over the last week.

God in the mundane and ordinary? You bet, friend.

peace~elaine

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

Hey Karen, thanks for hosting. I hope I did everything correctly, I am still learning how to use the site as I go.

smooches,
Larie

Anonymous said...

I love to see God work in everyday moments. I couldn't help but think of a post I did at the end of 2008 so I linked to that to share today. When we have a stiff neck, we can't look around to see what God is doing. I want to be like the trees bending in the wind.

Heather {Desperately Seeking Sanity} said...

My More of Him Monday post was related to this...eery. But, God has been speaking in many ways both to my boyfriend and I. Sometimes we just sit back and talk about them and discuss how TIRED he must be and that's just dealing with the two of us. But I can't blog about those just yet. So I'll just focus on Him speaking to me.

My ADHD Me said...

I Loved reading your story AND the comments.

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Hi, Karen!

Loved this topic! I joined the conversation this week. I enjoy coming over. Lots of great inspiration.

Blessings, friend!

MOMSWEB said...

This was a wonderful topic! Thanks for the opportunity to share my happy hour experience!