A New Chapter - Prayer Wins Out

Well....the praise challenge didn't work out as planned.  What else is new?  I'm ok at starting things but not always great at finishing them.  God isn't done with me yet. 😉

I am happy to share that I will begin a new chapter in my life next week.  I will be leaving my job at of 17 years and will be starting as a Customer Service Rep for Medieval Times. I'm very excited about it and think that it will be great fun.  I believe God is telling me that I have done my job of nurturing my children through the years (they are now 17, 15, and 12).  They don't need me around as much and I need to start doing some things for me.  This is a start!

However, that was not my motivation for this blog post.

My church has been doing a 4 week study about prayer.  It has been great!  This past Sunday, though, I was challenged.  Prayer is something I have always done, typically before bed or when something comes to mind during the day.  However, it has never been something that (don't be too shocked here) that Steven and I have done together.  (I know, pastor's wife and everything....long story behind that.)  But this past Sunday our senior pastor and our campus pastor encouraged us to listen to what God wanted to say to us about prayer in our lives.  And I heard God speak....

As clear as day, I knew that he was telling me that Steven and I needed to start praying together.  I have always known this was important but other issues always kept me from it and Steven, knowing my issues and not wanting to push me, has been very patient.  But this day I knew it was something God was specifically directed me to do.  So I said, "Ok, I'll talk to Steven about it."

I did NOT talk to him Sunday and that night, as I prayed, I asked forgiveness for being disobedient.  I did NOT talk to him Monday and again asked forgiveness.  This went on until finally Thursday (yes, 5 days later) I finally surrendered and obeyed and talked to Steven about it.  He was excited and agreed.  (And was probably secretly relieved that I had finally come to this point.)  So, last night, for the first time in quite some time, we prayed together before going to bed.

Needless to say, I slept great last night!  I feel a small burden lifted off my shoulders.  I also believe that Steven and I will grow closer and connect more with each other and with God during this process.  I can't go into why it has taken me so long to get here.  There are many issues I have dealt with over the years.  But I think I have an idea as to why God has prompted me NOW.  Other than the fact that it is a good discipline, I think God has impeccable timing.

This time next year, my oldest son will graduate from high school and get ready to leave for college.  The other 2 (at least 1) will follow shortly there after and it will once again be me and Steven.  I have spent so long being mom that I almost forgot how to be wife.  I believe that this is God's way of helping us connect, starting sooner rather than later, so that, when the boys are gone, we have already started reconnecting and will be content, even excited, that it will be just the 2 of us again.

I am excited to see how God works through this, not just in our lives but in the lives of our boys and those around us.  Thank you, God, for not giving up on me!