Another day, another dollar – so goes the old saying.
For me?
Another day, another headache…
Yes, the Enemy is having some fun right now.
On Thursday, my friends and I are giving a presentation to a local MOPS group – (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers). It’s my first "professional" speaking engagement. We’re going to be speaking about the Lord.
Paint the targets on our backs.
I won’t go into the details of the fun fiery arrows that are flying their way. Suffice it to say – they’re flying fast and furious…(Hey, did you notice all the clever alliteration??)
My arrow today?
A migraine headache.
I’ve suffered from headaches most of my life. And yes, I’ve been checked out – and there’s nothing there. (Seriously, my skull is one empty, echoing cavern…)
So, no worries –
It’s just another distraction. Because today I needed to work on my talk. I needed to concentrate. I needed to have my wits about me. I needed to be funny and insightful and profound. I needed to be on my game.
Instead, I’ve been in bed most of the day.
My head’s hurting so bad I can hardly see straight. And the screen on my computer, even though it’s muted, feels like a beacon right now – and it’s piercing right through my eyes into that one little nerve that’s completely frazzled…
Lord, a little help here, please?
I really and truly want to speak about You – I want to speak in truth, and I want to do it well. I want to have the right words. I want to be funny and insightful and profound. I want the moms to like what I have to say. I want to "hit one out of the park!" I want...
"Sharon…"
"Yes, Lord?"
"There were an awful lot of *I’s* in those last several sentences."
Oh.
"Don’t you want to leave some room for My Holy Spirit to work?"
OUCH.
He’s right – so right – I know. And so I am humbled by His words.
If I frantically work, all on my own, trying to make the perfect speech – my speech – there’s just no room for Him. I don’t want that…
And maybe, just maybe, that’s why He let the Enemy have his way today.
To stop me, to settle me, to redirect my thinking – to make me still enough to listen.
"So don’t worry in advance…for I will give you the rights words and such wisdom…" (Luke 21:14-15)
"'…the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.'" (John 14:26)
"…don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20)
Sigh…
God is so good – so very good.
My headache, that one fiery arrow, wounded me just enough to send me running to the only place I could get help…
…the arms of the Lord.
And He laid my sore little head down on a pillow, and He spoke to my heart.
I think my talk – ahem…HIS talk – is going to be great.
Because He is.
"And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words…that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should." (Ephesians 6:19-20)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Sharon - lifting you up in prayer. Remember that even though the enemy is targeting you, you have that full armor of God to protect you.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how it goes on Thursday.
Blessings,
Joan
I love what Joan said. I was going to say something similar, but she cut to the chase and said it better than I would.
ReplyDeleteYou are armed, Sharon.
Too often, we see that armor and think that it is only fit to fight the enemy from without. After all, that's what a knight generally does.
The beauty of God's full armor is that it is equally as effective to fight the enemy from within.
When has the Spirit ever failed? Never.
Just get up there and be Sharon and let God be God.
And oh, goodness. I forget to even say that I'm praying for you. You KNOW that already, I think.
ReplyDeleteI will be adding Migraine-Be-Gone to the prayers.
I am lifting you up in prayer...and yes the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say and yes He will guide you...look at all the "I will" in the Bible and rest in what He will do.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the headache and praying right now...what a precious group to address MOPS
Oh thanks for stopping by and the comments...Lady #1 from my garden weeding was also the Lady with the Pink Boa in my Big Girl Panties post....what life from a 70 plus year old.
Blessings, blessings on your engagement...God isn't finished with us 50 plus year olds...Let Him pour forth from you.
(((Sharon))) headaches are never fun, but migraines are the worst! praying for you for the talk later this week; I think it is awesome that you are stepping out of your comfort zone for events like this; you will make God's impact as you spread his word!!!
ReplyDeletebetty
Yes, I agree the Holy Spirit will give you
ReplyDeletethe words and be with you. You will have
a wonderful time and that nasty headache
will have to go in the name of Jesus.
Love,
Sandy
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeletePraying for you - those arrows certainly come thick and fast, but Our Lord has the Victory - God Bless - Nita
Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter gets those - I am so sorry - didn't they think that Paul had them as the thorn in his flesh?
ReplyDeleteI will pray for you NOW and for Thursday - I hope you feel beter soon - I know your speech will go well.
Love,
sandie
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteWow. Where do I start? First, I'm suffering the same malady, now and for the last few days. (Mine's partly MSG-induced, I'm sure.) Halfway through reading this, I stopped and prayed fervently for you! And you know what, God placed on my heart exactly the lesson He gave you.
May He quiet your heart, cause you to rely on His Spirit to work, give you the message He wants you to give, in the time He allows you to have to prepare, and make you a humble, gracious, compassionate vessel to use as you speak to these lovely moms who need so much encouragement and understanding. They may look confident, but often they're needing to know how much God loves them, and that He's there to help them, and they need encouragement to turn to Him for help. Funny, that's just what I need most of the time, too--and will until He returns. Blessings to you my friend! I will be praying for your head! and for your words to be exactly what He wants you to say. He's there for you!
I always love your heart, Sharon--the arrows haven't touched that:)
Wendy
Sharon, when you put yourself in front, yes, there is a big target, but when you have the armor of God on, there is no need to fear- YOU are doing a might work for the LORD and making the rest of us look good!
ReplyDeleteLove you-
janet
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteI did pray for you and hope that you are feeling better. Yes, our Lord allows such things for His purposes...
We don't always know why but He is GOD and sovereign so we are to give thanks...and pray for whatever it is that we need to continue - all for His glory.
May GOD help us all.
I love this that you cited, "…don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20)"
My dear, dear friends. Thank you for showing up and offering me such encouragement!! I can't tell you how much your words fortified my spirit! I've been practicing tonight - and praying. I'm feeling a peace about this - God will show up, He always does!
ReplyDeleteMy head is acting up again tonight - I'm not surprised. But, the Lord will overcome.
Of course, I will let all of you know how it goes.
Forgive me for not doing individual responses tonight. Going to practice one or two more times - and then it's to bed to get some good rest!
May God be honored in all we do, every day - the big things and the small things. He sees it all - and He promises that one day we will receive a reward for faithfully serving Him.
GOD BLESS - and to HIM be the glory!!