Divine Appointments and The Power of a Nudge

I'm a big believer in following through when you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to do something.  Whether it's sending a text of encouragement or whatever may be on my heart for a certain person, sharing a devotion I've just read or remember reading days/ weeks before, sharing a song, a story ... If I feel led, feel the nudge, I've learned to surrender and let it happen ... to be used by Him.  Radical things happen.  Sometimes, I don't always see it or hear about it, but when I do, it's crazy how He uses these nudges to bless others.  In return, it draws me nearer to Him and grows my faith even stronger.  Amazing. And sometimes, I'm on the other end of a nudge ... It's a win/ win.

Last week was our Spring Break.  Brett had to go out of town on a business trip.  Our house had been on the rental market for a week by that point.  After 7 showings and 3 applicants, it was pretty much rented already (this process has been crazy fast and simply unbelievable!), but we knew that it still needed to be "show ready."  So, I could either stay in town with our 3 cherubs and continue the crazy cycle of Sargeant Mommy for another week ... oh my ... by myself this time ... or I could find a place to escape with them ... by myself still ... to have a little fun over our "break."  So, I chose the latter.  On the way out of town, I found myself thinking, "This is either really smart or kinda crazy," but we shall see.

I took a book and a couple of magazines to enjoy, but did nothing but pick them up and move them a few times.  It was busy.  Very busy.  And I was tired each morning I woke up and exhausted each night when my head hit the pillow.  Good grief.  Did I mention that it was busy, because I ain't lyin.'  We stayed at the cabin on Davis Farm.  Nothing but open fields and blue skies.  The cabin is far from anything fancy, but it's full of wonderful, wonderful memories and sits by a pond.  The stars are amazing at night, the sunrise over the field and trees each morning is beautiful and the sunset each evening - glorious.  The frogs start croaking at just the right time each night and get really loud with all of their talking.  It's so simple.  So very peaceful.

I'm so very thankful I had this time with Briley, Avery and Davis.  We made some really good memories.  One night, after putting Davis down, the girls and I were swinging and Briley said, "I want to move out here.  This is the Best Night Ever."  Sweet, sweet words for this mama's ears.  There were other moments like this throughout the four days we shared down at the cabin.  We went for walks to see the horses and they picked more purple flower weeds than ever before.  They blew dandelions, ran carefree down the worn path that leads to the cabin, watched tadpoles swim near the edge of the pond, walked onto the deck, we blew bubbles, painted fingernails and toenails, made rice krispie treats, colored, did a school project, played kickball and baseball, played in the dirt, stayed up late and watched movies and ate popcorn.  We visited Miss Dean and saw the Bethlehem donkeys, visited baby Kaelan, watched Uncle Art plow one of the fields in the John Deere tractor ... it was non-stop, tested my patients a couple of times (to the point where I had to apologize and ask for their forgiveness once or twice ... they were full of sweet grace and gentle, forgiving smiles when I did) and made me fall in love with them more than ever before.

On our way home,  my sister shared a really cool God story that had just happened the night before and that morning.  One of those that had her crying with joy and, of course, had me crying right along with her.  I also had time to sit back and think while I was driving.  There's good and bad when I have time to think.  Sometimes, negative thoughts start creeping and if I'm not careful, I begin to believe lies that Satan is trying to plant.  Still a struggle at times, but I'm slowly getting better at recognizing these lies and how to put a stop to them instantly by praying or whispering Jesus' name.  Anyway, that day it was more about me as a mommy and whether I should've or could've at certain points of the week, yada, yada.  I ended up having a great conversation with Mama, as well during this time.  Shared stories from my week with the girls and Davis.  Shared my thoughts of how busy this season is with them and everything else going on in our life at the moment.  Shared the struggles I have as a mommy and how I wish I did more of this and not that, etc.  We laughed and talked and talked some more until Brett beeped in and I switched over.  He shared some concerns with his morning house hunt over the internet ... Not a whole lot out there in the area we're looking in, but I reminded him that God is walking ahead of us, had closed a lot of doors up to this point and would open up the right one when the time was right.  It all has to happen to lead us to where He wants us ... where He can use us most. We hang up and by this point, I had stopped at Subway for lunch.  The plan was to take a potty break, order sandwiches only (we had drinks, chips and dessert in the van) and be on our way.  So, that's what we did ... Davis needed changing, but, of course, no changing table in the bathroom.  Don't understand why some restaurants still don't have changing tables, but whatev.  I could change him somewhere in our LOADED down vehicle once we're finished ordering and all.  We proceeded to order our sandwiches and I only had to tell Briley 3 or 4 times that she couldn't have a cookie ... Like I was going to change my answer each time she asked.  Lord help.  I was so ready to be home.  So tired.  Reminded both girls once or twice not to pull on the chip basket that stretched the length of the entire counter, while sweet 'little" 24 pound Davis patiently rested on my hip.

We paid for our order, walked out of the doors and grabbed a hand, looked for cars and made our way to the van.  The girls climbed over Davis' carseat since there was no other way to get to the back seat and as I finished helping Avery over, I noticed that an older couple was walking towards me.  My first thought was that something had fallen out of our diaper bag, but I quickly realized that the lady had something to share.  I almost instantly felt as though this was about to be a God moment and I felt an urgency to tune in.  All ears here.

There was an empty space between our van and their vehicle.  Her husband walked closer to their vehicle and she, comfortably and confidently, walked straight up to me as if we had always known each other.  I felt complete ease as she approached me.  She began with:

Excuse me, ma'am.  I just saw you in there and I just have to tell you that I saw myself. You are looking at yourself about 50 years later when you look at me.  I see myself in you with 3 kids.  This was me.  Two were twins.  Your girls aren't twins are they?

Me:  No, ma'am.  They're 6 and 3, and he's 12 months.

Well, I had twins, another one that was his age and one on the way.  (She then glances down at my belly and says, "I'm not sure if you do or not."  :) ...

Me:  I don't. haha

I just want to say that you are so blessed.  To remind you of what blessings they truly are and how fast the time goes by.  I was watching you in there and you carry yourself so well. (I was thinking ... but if you could've seen me last night when I lost my patience! ;) And they were all so well behaved.  I could really tell that you spend a lot of time with them and you work with them and discipline them.

Me:  (I've been in tears from almost the second that she opened her mouth.  This encouragement was so incredibly timely that I had and still have no doubt it was from God.  Simply amazing.)

I didn't mean to make you cry.  (We start hugging.)

Me:  No, you just don't know how much I needed to hear this right now.  I have been reminded so much this week of how the days are long, but the years are short.  And they are blessings.  Such blessings.

I just had to encourage you, because I know how hard it is at this stage.  They are such blessings.  But then one minute they're a blessing and the next minute you want to flush them down the toilet!

(Hahaha!  This woman has been there, done that.  She's being so real.  An open book.  We laughed and I'm still wiping tears.  Seriously?!  Is this happening right now?!  Gah, how I love divine appointments.)

Me:  And, please, know that we have a great family.  I have a wonderful husband who helps so much, he just had to be out of town on business this week and the girls are on Spring Break.  So, I brought them down to the family farm this week and we're headed home today.  It's just been a little exhausting, but we had fun.  (Still crying and in awe of what's happening.)

You're a believer, aren't you?

Me:  Yes, ma'am.  It's what gets me through each day.  I couldn't do this without His help.  This takes a lot of strength as you know.  I wake up and pray everyday for the strength I will need, and it continues throughout the day, over and over again, for Him to give me the strength.

It does take so much strength.  (She motioned her hands from her head down to her legs.)  It takes every bit of strength you have, so, it has to come from Him. ... What denomination are you?

Me:  Well, my husband and I were both raised Baptist, but we're now members of a non-denominational church ... Buckhead Church.  Have you heard of Andy Stanley?

Oh, yes.  We know who that is :)  I guess you can say we're non-denominational, as well. (And she mentioned which, but I can not remember!).  My husband here is an ordained pastor (love it!) and, I pretty much am myself.  I lead our youth group.  72 years old and I'm leading a youth group (still loving it!).  (She gave examples of what kind of encouragement she's pouring into them right now.)

Me:  My husband and I help lead a small group in our home every Sunday afternoon, and, I was actually the youth interim at the baptist church back home during the time I met my him.  (I loved that we had these similarities ... Made the entire moment all the more relevant.)  May I ask you your name?

Sure honey.  My name is Happy.  (Ummm, really? ... Had to be her nickname.  My goodness, this lady was so very, very kind.)  Happy so-and-so (again, can't remember.)  And this is my husband, so-and-so.  (Sorry for my forgetfulness.)  My gifts are insight and encouragement, and today, honey, my purpose was to encourage you.

Me:  Me, too.  I love insight and I love encouraging others ... But today, I was the one who needed encouraging and didn't realize how much until now. Thank you so much.  (Still wiping tears :)

She wanted to speak to the girls, so, she leaned in and told them how beautiful and well-behaved they were.   Told them to keep it up. She even told them that she loved them. They were looking at her like a deer in headlights.  :)  We said our goodbyes, I quickly pulled myself together and Briley asked me if I knew the lady ... ummm, no.  I briefly explained that I didn't, but that God had sent her to encourage mommy.  I then remembered that I still needed to change Davis' diaper.  Found a spot on the packed pack-n-play and realized that his wet diaper was now a dirty one.  Oh, the joys ;)

Wow.  Just wow.  Four days away ... just my children and me.  It was exhausting, yes, but I loved it.  Never been more in love with them, but at the same time I've never been in more need of alone time. Know what I mean?  I'm so very grateful that I get to be their mama.  I'm grateful that this kind, compassionate woman followed the gentle nudge to reach out to me.  I'm so very grateful that God loves me so much that He sends me the encouragement my heart needs at just the right moment.  I'm grateful that my heart is open to receive such love.

I'm so in love.

Trying to eat a pebble as I take his picture.  Oops.

Briley took this one.  So pretty.

Serious Sweetness Right Here

Avery's latest:  Mommy, I wike yore heart.
Me:  Avery, I like your heart, too.  I love your heart.
Avery:  (sheepish smile) Uh, huh.  I wuv yore heart, too.

Seriously?  Good grief.

My cup runneth over, sweet girl.

God is So Good ...

Just one of many examples of the love and encouragement that He has sent our way through daily devotions ... How can I not be in love with our Creator?  Gentle reminders ...

And So It Continues ...

Three years ago, out of the blue, Briley started talking about wanting a big brother and how someone was missing in our family http://thegreenways.blogspot.com/2010/09/things-kids-say-sometimes.html  It's not that she ever stopped, but the comments have been few and far between ... until lately. When we found out we were expecting our third, she was sure that it was a baby boy because "I asked God for a baby brother."  Okay, well, yes, He answered your prayer, sweet girl.  Not too long ago, the mentioning of more siblings started again.  One was about another baby sister AND brother ... ummm, whoa.  Hold your horses there sister.  Briley:  We need more children in this family.  We need a BIG family.  I want another sister and brother.  A baby sister and brother.  Me:  Well, honey, I'm not sure that's gonna happen.  Briley:  When I prayed for a baby brother, He gave us Davis, so, He'll give me another baby sister and brother.  Me:  He did, but I'm not so sure another baby sister and brother's gonna happen this time ;)  And then, she has her other out of the blue comments.  She's good about waiting until both her daddy and I are present these days ... like when we're all in the van, on our way out of the neighborhood, or like last night, while I'm brushing her hair and her daddy is helping Avery brush her teeth ... Briley:  We REALLY need a brown person in our family.  We need a brown brother and brown sister, but they need to be mixed.  I really want a sister that's brown and white.  Brett:  And where do you propose we find this brother and sister?  Briley:  I don't know, but we need them.

Alrighty then.  Lord, lead.

I've never stopped praying about this and I don't plan to.  Have no idea if it means anything, but I do know that it's still in our hearts.  I do know that there's a bigger picture and a bigger plan that we may not see, but He does.  I do know that God is mysterious in His ways and His timing is perfect.  I do know that I am His and He is mine.  I know that He is good, He is kind, He is love, that He is full of grace.  I know that He loves me more than I can fathom and "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11. I know that our family is in the middle of Big Faith In Action right now with this move (hoping for time to post more about that soon) and boy is it so amazingly peaceful knowing that He's the one in control.  As hard as it's been at times to sit back and trust (and still is as we're in the waiting period right now), man, how cool it is to lean even harder into my Heavenly Father when so many things are uncertain.  How amazing it's been to hear Him gently remind me to not be afraid when the anxiety is trying to set into my heart.  He has calmed my fears each time.  He has taken away what's not of Him and whispered "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.  He's sending the encouragement and wisdom needed at just the right moments ... He's leading and we're humbly following.  We're also really excited.  Weird combo.

We'll keep praying for God to lead us and in everything we say and do, we pray we bring Him glory.  More of you, less of me, Jesus.