When God says “No” or “Not Yet”

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Lynn

Recently, I have gone through, and I am still going through a time of refining. Admittedly, this has been a tough season for me personally. Laying my requests before God, pridefully determining that He would answer my prayers favourably, I have been harbouring some bitterness when prayerful outcomes didn’t go as I planned.

I realize I am not as mature in my faith walk as I would like to be when God says, “No” or “Not yet”.

It is hard.

I lean on the truth of scripture that God answers prayer (1 John 5:14-15), but I admit that I am disappointed when prayers are not answered the way I would like. It is then I ask the question “why?”

I will admit that to accept God’s “No” is hard for me. I almost throw His Word back in prayer that whatever I ask for in prayer I will receive. (Matthew 21:22). He then patiently answers me through His Word the times in Scripture when heroes of the faith prayed but did not receive what they asked for. For example, David asking the Lord to heal his infant son (2 Samuel 12:16-22); Apostle Paul asking a thorn to be removed from his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Their response to God’s “No”, should be a lesson to me. God is Sovereign and even though I may ask, He is not obligated to respond to me in any way. The absolute miracle is that He delights to respond when I lay my humble requests before Him because He loves me! (Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 147:11; Proverbs 15:8)

My response to Him should always be that of sincere gratitude to Him no matter how He may answer, because I trust Him in every situation and circumstance.

I know that His Ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9); He knows what is best for me and sometimes that means answering my prayers with a “No” or “Not yet”.

Are you going through a season of waiting on God? Are you frustrated by God’s response of “no or not yet” to your earnest prayers?

I understand.

But this is not a time for us to reject God, or not believe He is Who He says He is. This is a time to draw even nearer to Him. We are to continue to lean on His Word for daily comfort and nourishment.

I know He has a greater plan mapped out for me. I fervently believe that He is building my character one “No” at a time.

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Forgive Me

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Lynn

God brings people across my path regularly that I have the opportunity to pray for and encourage as they follow the path God has mapped out for them. I have been blessed by their unique ministries, as well as their friendships. Many youth and children I had the privilege of working with in my role as one of the leaders in our church in the 90’s, are now young adults with families. Some have PhD’s, some are Pastors, authors, teachers, nurses, and leaders in their churches and communities. I enjoy hearing about their accomplishments and praise God that they are following hard after God as they raise their children and pursue their careers.

Today, I have the privilege of sharing the debut single “Forgive Me” by Revival Band.

I am blessed to know Nick and his wife Sheena, who attend my church. I got to know them well as they were part of Team 35, who helped in the planning of our church’s 35th Anniversary last June. Nick, a gifted singer, and songwriter has quite a testimony as he works as a Paramedic, who struggles with PTSD, but has overcome addictions and depression by learning to lean on the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Nick’s band, Revival played at our church’s anniversary and I know I am a Senior Lady, but I grew up in the 70’s and I still like to “rock out” once in awhile! I fell in love with their music and the message of redemption in their songs.

In November, our church is playing host to Petra as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary, the only stop in Canada on their world tour! Revival is opening for this legendary band! Please give a listen to Revival’s new single and video released today. Please leave a positive comment to encourage them!

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Grandbaby Sitting

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Lynn

I was promoted to “Grandma” status on February 20th, 2011. My youngest grandbaby will be born in February 2024. So, if you do the math, that is a thirteen year spread between my oldest and youngest grand child, with five littles in between. Since August, I’ve had the privilege of babysitting my year old granddaughter a couple days a week. She was not a fan of going to daycare when my daughter, Carmen returned to work after her maternity leave was done, so family stepped in to help with childcare. Between both sets of grandparents and aunts and uncles we’ve got it covered. This week, my oldest grandbabies are staying with us while their mom and dad are at a Biblical Counselling course in California. Having two preteens in the house means I help with homeschooling, and we are driving them to piano lessons etc., and I am constantly figuring out what to feed two ravenous kids with decidedly different taste buds.

As much as I LOVE babysitting my grands, I am totally exhausted at the end of the day! There is good reason why we become parents at a young age. My body just doesn’t have the stamina it once had in my twenties and thirties.

Let’s face it, my husband and I have become pretty set in our ways over the years. Empty nesting does that. Our daily schedules don’t change very much. I putter around the house tidying places that don’t need tidying. We don’t create a lot of dust just the two of us, and we have a place for everything and everything is in its place. We enjoy our fairly boring lifestyle. It’s peaceful.

This morning there were wet towels on the floor, unmade beds, underwear in the entranceway (no one knows how it got there 🤪🤣). There are homework books strewn on counters, under their beds, and all over the kitchen table. There are crumbs everywhere, and hand and nose prints on all the mirrors that the one year old leaves behind after every visit.

Did I mention my dishwasher died last week?

I know it’s a luxury, but I’ve become accustomed to the convenience of a dishwasher, and washing dishes by hand is wearing thin on me, especially now when there’s double the amount of dishes being used each meal. (Yes, the older grands help with dishwashing, but grandma prefers her method to their less than fussy technique.)

I go from singing nursery rhymes to my little one year old, to watching “Stranger Things” with my oldest.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way!

There are studies that say having grandparents close to their grandchildren, interacting with them, and loving on them, is not only good for the kids, but also for the grandparents. I am blessed with having all my grandbabies live less than ten minutes away. My own grandparents lived in Denmark, and I saw them two or three times in my lifetime! I do not take for granted that my grandbabies live close and I see them often.

I read this quote the other day: “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” How very true! All six, soon to be seven, grandbabies are my joy and delight. I thank God and pray for each of them and their parents every day. They are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” according to God’s design and He has a special purpose for each of them. My prime responsibility as their grandma is to ensure they know that!

“When’s lunch, Grandma? I’m almost done my school stuff. I’m hungry!”

I guess I’m done blogging for today.

Now if I could just figure out what to feed them for lunch!

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