Wait, Didn’t You Ask for That?

Have you ever prayed, but didn’t recognize the answer?

You found the scriptural basis for it then you meditated on it, you journaled about it, and declared it by faith—I’m being a little over the top, but you get my point. You had a need, admitted it to Jesus, and trusted Him to see it through. And He did, but you weren’t ready for what you asked for, so you didn’t recognize it.

What Do You Mean, “Not Ready?”

Sometimes, what we need is way out of our comfort zone or nature. So, it not only takes faith to pray for it, you need grace to recognize and receive it.

Help Jesus!

The Lord is so kind. He inspired me to start this blog, write two books, and an inspirational t-shirt brand. All of which I’m juggling while keeping my family the priority and I’m not sure I’m doing any of it well (marketing…yuk). All of it is already overwhelming—and Jesus keeps whispering more plans to me.

And I’m thinking, that’s great Jesus, but I need some help. I can’t do all of this by myself. And that’s just where He wants me. “Me, myself, and I” get stuff done, but what He wants to do takes teamwork. I mean, even Jesus had 12 people on His team!

Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Hebrews 10:24, NIrV

Reach Out

The last quarter of last year, I took advantage of local opportunities to meet people, like a local blogger and podcaster I follow, Kirsten Oliphant. Shortly after, Kirsten released her book, Creative Collaborations: How to Form Lasting and Lucrative Partnerships without Being Smarmy.

What a perfect confirmation for a genuine girl like me who knows what she wants and will happily do it—by herself! But loners only get but so far alone. And didn’t Solomon say in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “two is better than one?” So, my take away from Kirsten’s book: to reach farther, you need to reach out.

So, the last week of 2017, I simply told the Lord I’m ready to flow with His vision, but I’ll need help. I don’t have time to keep teaching myself everything and I need to delegate some things. I trusted Jesus and left it at that.

A Real Gem

A few weeks ago, I gifted the DADDY’s Girl Forever devotional to a few friends. Vanessa Samuel, a friend via blogging, asked how she could support me. She’s a real gem! Passionate about the devotional’s message and wanting to get the word out, she offered to share my book on social media and post graphics using some of its content on Instagram and Pinterest (where I don’t yet have a presence)! Boy, did I appreciate the offer, but I knew she had her hands full and I didn’t want to add to her load. So, I tried to discourage her! See the problem yet?

Wait, Didn’t You Ask for That?

Thank the Lord for my husband who lovingly chided me for refusing a blessing. She was an answer to prayer and I didn’t even realize it. I’d gotten so use to doing everything “just me and Jesus” that I didn’t repent (change my mind) to receive what I needed. Thank you, Vanessa Samuel, for being the Mary to my Elizabeth!

Watch and Pray

So, when you pray, do so with expectation. And if what you’re asking for is outside your usual scope, ask for grace to receive the blessing. Then be on the lookout for the answer!

A Dynamic Duo for Dynamic Women Like YOU

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