Tag: listen

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No More Duct Tape!

The Manna Chef

I went on a girls’ trip with my sisters last year, and we enjoyed some well-needed sister time.  On the way to one of our excursions, we boarded a tour bus that read, “Unforgettable…the best rides of your life.”  As I got onto the bus, I noticed that across the driver’s side was duct tape!  Yes, Sisters, duct tape was holding our bus together!  We made it to our destination, but I remember thinking, “Lord, please just get us there safely.”  I must say that the ride really was unforgettable though! 

It made me wonder, “How many times have we put duct tape on a situation to just make it through the day?”  You know those days—you are running on almost no sleep, but there is so much to do and everyone is calling on you today for help.  (And you can’t let them down.)  You’re exhausted, but you push through to show up for everyone else—even when your body is telling you to rest.  We know how to keep it moving even when we shouldn’t.  Sisters, you are going through your day with duct tape, trying to make something happen and wearing yourself down in the process.

There is a reason our bodies tell us when to slow down.  Whether or not we want to admit it, we do have limits physically.  We have to learn how to be still and rest.  There is a small, still voice that will direct our every step if we’ll just listen to it.  Ask the Lord for a better strategy to accomplish whatever He wants you to accomplish each day, and then ask Him to accompany you throughout the day.

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Pray First

The Manna Chef

How many times has someone asked you to pray, and your initial response was to comfort her first and then pray?  Or maybe she asked for a listening ear and instead you offered unsolicited advice.  I’ll give you a second to think about your answer because it can happen so easily you may not even realize it.

Let me give you an example.  Recently, a dear sister sent me a text message and asked me to pray for her because she was receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and was feeling a little nervous about it.  Immediately, I slipped into “Mama mode,” asking which one and assuring her that she would be okay.  I shared what she could expect and offered genuine words of encouragement.  But that wasn’t what she asked me to do; she asked me to pray.  The Holy Spirit stopped me immediately and said, “Read her message again.” 

And there it was:

“Please pray for me.  I don’t like needles.” 

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Listening for His Voice

The Manna Chef

I began my morning by asking God for a word for His daughters.  (I often do as I am walking my pup.)  By the time I arrived at my office, I was still waiting, so I sat at my desk and wrote on a piece of paper:

Father, today I am listening for Your voice (and Your voice only).

You see, there are many voices that gain our attention.   You may have actual people calling your name or seeking your attention at any given moment throughout the day.  Our cell phones keep us busy, whether we are actually communicating socially or conducting business or are enthralled by the happenings on social media.  The doom and gloom in the news can be a loud distraction.  Doubt and fear make a lot of noise.  The enemy is always standing by, telling you lies and trying to distort your perspective.  Even your own emotions can be cacophonous, so it’s important to allow yourself the moment to be still so that you can hear what the Holy Spirit is whispering to you. 

Will you commit to doing that today, Sister?

Life is full of distractions that take our focus off the voice of our Heavenly Father, so we have to be diligent in our pursuit of seeking His face daily.  We have to actively listen for His voice.  That means we are concentrating fully, taking time to understand what God is saying to us, and then responding in obedience to whatever God has spoken. 

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The Way You Move

The Manna Chef

Sisters, today I want you to tune in to your body’s natural rhythm—and not the one that kicks into high gear when you hear your favorite song.  I’m talking about that inner voice that directs your steps at the actual pace that comes naturally to you. You’re going to have to be very intentional in your listening, too.  You see, we tend to wear ourselves out when we are not listening to what our bodies really need (the Presence of God, love, acceptance, rest, inspiration, nutrition, peace, reassurance, exercise, etc.).  As women, we are wired to do many things well, and we tend to do them at a break-neck pace.  But it’s not wise to constantly overload yourself.  There is value to slowing down.  Take your time, Sister!

Stop for a moment.  Breathe.  Listen.  Your spirit will lead you.  And for you deep sisters, I’m not talking about being moved by your flesh and yielding in directions that you know are contrary to where God is leading you (and to what His Word says).  I’m talking about following your spirit because it desires to be intimately connected to your Father.  Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)   Your spirit knows how to line up with the Father even when your flesh wants to do its own thing, including causing you to take on more than what you were called to do.  When you choose to listen to God’s voice, your spirit will lead you in right direction. 

So, sisters, quit being so hard on yourself when you feel like you missed the mark.  Who set the bar—you or God?  We have a tendency to push ourselves before we even ask the Lord for guidance.  Then, when we are exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated, we turn to Jesus for help.  And He is so gracious that He picks us up and restores, replenishes, and revives us, even when we have not listened to Him at all.  The Lord is right there waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him. 

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