The hymn, In the Garden, is controversial to some, but adored by others. The chorus says, "And He walks with me and He talks with me ..." But ... is that true? Actually, I have had some such incidences. There have been times when He has talked to me. Not audibly, but ... obviously. I remember once I was leaving for a week-long business trip. Being the good father-husband-Christian guy, I prayed on my way to the airport, "Father, watch over my family while I'm gone." I distinctly "heard" in my head, "Who did you think was watching over them when you were there?" Ouch! Yes. Thanks, Lord. I needed that reminder. One time I was praying for someone who needed healing. I heard Him say, "Is it alright with you if I do what's best for him?" Oh ... uh ... yes, Lord. A clear reminder that He knows best, and a necessary reminder.
I got married in 1980. Within three months, my bride was pregnant, told me she hated me, and I lost my job. So I ended up working as a security guard on a midnight shift alone in a guard shack talking to God. "How did this happen, Lord? What went wrong?" I got out a tablet of paper ... you know one of those standard lined yellow tablets. I started writing. When I considered marrying this girl, I desperately wanted to do it right. I didn't want hormones or emotions or whatever to lead me astray. So I prayed. "Lord, stop me if this isn't Your will." And I proceeded to ... throw out fleeces, as it were. Like, "If I ask her dad and he says, 'No,' I'll take that as a No from God." I actually approached it on the assumption I was wrong to marry her, and expected a "No" at any time. But ... her father gave me permission. For months I tossed out fleeces ... "If this doesn't happen, I'll assume You don't want me to proceed." It happened. And in that guard shack that night, I wrote them all down. Then I counted them. Twenty-eight. Twenty-eight times I asked God to stop me and He didn't. So ... in that guard shack that night, I said thank you and moved on. Joined the military, got a career, had two boys ... all sorts of good stuff. Then, after 12 years, she told me she was leaving me for someone else. So, one Saturday, I'm packing up the house to move to a small apartment for me and the boys. I'm in the garage, moaning and groaning to God, and open up a notebook in an obscure box. "What ...?" I look inside and, on the top, is a yellow lined sheet of paper ... with 28 reasons I was supposed to marry her ... directly from God. "So," I said to Him, "You ... planned this. You knew. You expected it. And You told me to proceed." Another lesson in God's best versus mine. Another example of "you intended it for evil, but God intended it for good." And a reason to let Him do what He wanted in my life.
I since wed a wonderful woman with whom I've been happily married for more than 32 years, God's perfect match for me. Couldn't be better. And I have two wonderful sons ... God's gift to me. I recently retired from the career God began in the military because I had to get a career to support my growing family. And ... my walk with Him and trust in Him are better and stronger. Because, I believe, He actually does walk with me and talk with me, and I'm happy to be right where He wants me.
It would probably be helpful for all of us to have similar lists to look back on to remind us of God's path for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, David, and I can attest that possessing an excellent memory (as I do) is very helpful in this regard. And again, the older one grows, the more there is to recall and reflect upon.
DeleteJust because it's one of the original Jesus is my boyfriend songs, doesn't mean that it is completely devoid of Truth.
ReplyDeleteAs I commented the previous time you posted about this event (on 8/13/24), it is wonderful that you have seen God’s Hand upon your life and can recognize His care and provision for you (and your sons). I am like you--at an age and a point in my Christian journey when I can look back over many decades and see so many ways that He has been at work in my life through all the ups and downs, even when I cannot understand His plan.
ReplyDeleteToday’s post also touches on the issue of how to discern direction from God all along the way. How will He speak to us--through the words of the Bible, the words of another person, an audible voice, “fleeces,” dreams and visions, promptings within our conscious thoughts, a reshaping of our wills, circumstances, or something else? Throughout my Christian walk, I have heard and read much about all these options for discerning God’s will for me--i.e. instruction about which ones are biblical and/or reliable and which might instead be influenced by self-will, deception, lack of discernment and wisdom, etc. (You might recall that we discussed this topic a bit at your 8/16/24 and 9/2/24 posts.)
Related to discerning God’s will, I find your mention of “fleeces” (both today and at the previous post) interesting; I’ll admit I haven’t seen that method recommended for choosing a suitable partner to establish a Christian marriage (I assume that was your goal in 1980), but I suppose it can fit in among the good options. (I would need to do more research on it, though, before I could say for sure.) Perhaps “all’s well that ends well” is most appropriate here.
FYI, it wasn't a method for selecting a wife. It was a method for doing what God wanted.
DeleteJust to clarify: I was thinking along those lines as well, as both “selecting a wife” and “doing what God wanted” would be very much related, of course, and therefore the ways of pursuit would be similar, to my mind.
DeleteBack when I was still in the Army (1970-1975) I became a Christian in January 1974 and, while previously considered a career, I began thinking about getting out when my time was up so I asked God if He would lead me to a wife after I became a civilian. Well some "coincidences" came together to where I know it was the Lord who led me to my wife during my last leave 7 months before I got out---I figured the Lord would lead me to a wife AFTER I got out but the answer was much sooner. We are a perfect match and the Lord knew she would be the one for me. I "listened" to the leading of the answer to my prayer.
ReplyDeleteSo I understand how He "walks" and "talks" with you---and me.
Lorna, I agree with you, I believe doing what God wanted was selecting the wife he gave me through "coincidences" I listened to.
ReplyDeleteThose “coincidences” sure can get our attention, no? I have come to enjoy those special happenstances in life that appear to be clearly from God. Although He usually works out His will and directs us through the ordinary circumstances of life, it is always nice to experience a bit of serendipity--it keeps me on the lookout for His special touch!
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