She didn’t ask me to advise her on the side effects. She didn’t ask me to offer what I and others had experienced. She asked for prayer. Thankfully, I stopped right at that moment and sent her an actual prayer. And then I took a moment to really think about what had just happened. In my initial reaction, I meant well, but I was not responding to her request. What I should have done was pray first and then encourage her.
God began to minister to me immediately, and I’m so grateful for the insight He provided. When a Sister comes to you for help, listen and discern so that you can respond according to her need, not just what you think she may need to hear. Your lived experience is so valuable, but you have to use wisdom when you are sharing to make sure that your input will actually be effective in that very moment. Timing is everything!
Thinking about it now, Matthew 7:9-10 (NLT) comes to mind:
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!”
We have to listen and then act. Listen first. It’s a skill that is so underused today. Listening and obeying; those two areas require so much discipline. (Lord, please help us all!)
The Manna Chef 