By: Jackie Brindle
Have you ever lost something, that you know you put somewhere safe, and now you can't find it?!
Are you nodding your head, yes?
Me too!
Let me take you back to a few weeks ago, when I took my watch off somewhere safe because I was annoyed at the number of steps I didn't take for the day! I decided to put it in this safe place until I was ready to start counting steps again. (I'll save that topic for another day!)
The watch I have isn't an ordinary watch. It is one of those extra fancy smart watches that not only tell you the time and how many steps you went, but it has all sorts of apps on it (that half of them I don't really use)! It was a very special gift for my birthday from my husband. I know that if I lost this watch, it would not be easily replaced.
But that's what happened. I forgot about this safe place. LOL.
The search was on! I started in the messy mud room and checked all the gym bags I could find. Then, that led into a whole project of reorganizing the whole mud room. Next, I went to look for it under my bed, using a flashlight. Nope, not there either! But, I did clean out from underneath my bed, which had some earrings I thought I had lost and now they were found!
Finally, I decided it could be under my bathroom sink. I took one glance and got a trash bag out. That area was going to get cleaned out, too!
I was on a roll spring cleaning and searching! Now, I have a very organized and spic n span house!
Needless to say, my search for the watch-slash- spring cleaning efforts, did not lead me any closer to finding my watch.
I was SO annoyed and frustrated, especially at myself! How could I forget where I placed it? UGH! By this time, the sun had gone down and I was exhausted from it all --- mentally and physically from cleaning. Before I got to bed, I told myself, "It's just a watch. There are so many things in this world that are more valuable than that!"
I went to bed that night, without the watch, but with something better —
a grateful heart.
I thought, how grateful I am, for the relationships I have which hold a greater value than any materialistic item.
The next morning, I read the devotional for the day in "Jesus Calling" book by Sarah Young. It reminded me to pray about everything, even for the little things because God is a good father who wants to love on his children. For example, when my own kids can't find their shoes, hats, soccer cleats, or water bottle (although I tell them to put it in the same place when they get home) I still, will help them find it.
So, I prayed. I even told God, "I feel silly praying about something so small, when I know there are bigger prayers I can be praying about! But I trust you. I trust that if I am meant to find it, you will lead me to it.- Amen."
I got ready for the day, went out to the car and opened up the glove box, on a hunch.
AND THERE IT WAS! The watch!
I know God is not a genie in a bottle. He doesn't grant every prayer like that, but it builds my confidence in knowing that if He took care of something I know is such a small prayer, He will be faithful in the BIG mountainous prayers too!
When I look back on my search and all the things I cleaned out, God was working on my heart too, through it all. Working on my heart to be thankful for the things I got the opportunity to spring clean and be reminded that the things of this world do not even compare to the riches of those who surround us!
It's like what the Psalmists says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 34:4
I can only imagine all the things that are laying on your heart! My advice is to lay it all down. Clean out the cabinets, under the couch, and the junk drawer! God wants it all! He wants to hear from you! Yes, even if you think it's too small or that it's not a big deal!
In the word, it doesn't say cast some or only the big things you are going through to Him because He cares for you.
Listen --- It says, "Cast ALL your cares on Him because He cares for you!" (1 Peter 5:7)
You are so valuable to Him. You are the apple of His eye so lay it ALL down. And let God get to work because that's what a good faithful Father in Heaven does for his children. Even if prayers aren't answered, I hope you can find some glimmer of good, through it all.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to pause and thank you for all of my blessings. I thank you for the sunrises each morning singing us a new song! I thank you for each and every breath I have in my lungs and a new day to share it with my family and friends.
I recognize that you are greater than any circumstance I face today. I trust that when I delight in your faithfulness, your creation, my blessings; I am honoring you! I am so underserving yet, by your beautiful grace, You are working on giving me the desires of my heart!
You are Sovereign and there's nothing You cannot do.
Help me to find peace when I am flustered, frustrated, or can't see that you are in control when things are out of my control.
Thank you for your faithfulness!
In Jesus name,
Amen
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