My Answer

Choices and decisions, every day we make thousands without thinking about it.

I present fervent prayers to God and wait for an answer from Him. That doesn't mean a magical answer comes right away.

That doesn't mean I get to formulate an answer I like in my own mind and call it "from God." It's just not how it works.

I wait. I pray. I seek.

Sometimes I cannot even think beyond a day, because life on its own brings unexpected twists and turns. So, I keep my eyes on just the day ahead of me and wait.

Days and weeks pass. I watch how life plays out on its own without my intervention to control it. I wait for direction one way or the other and for peace with either way.

Last night I was invited to present our rescue mission to an elite group of successful, Christian leaders and youth. It was there sitting in the midst of people united in God that my answer came.

I'm sitting in the middle of a beautiful mansion of a home with approximately 50 people called together for a higher purpose when a couple stood up to speak. Their ministry was horses. Horse therapy. A topic that I am intrigued with, but their presence was simply one of peace.

They had my full attention when there was a voice in my head that spoke while I was listening, "This is your answer."

The husband standing up there with his wife talking about families falling apart, relationships falling apart, homes falling apart, that there is a science to what horses can teach us.

"This is your answer." [Listen]

I find myself almost holding my breath uncertain which direction this is going to go in, but I knew, I was excited that in my waiting there was a clear answer about to quickly be revealed.

"Dr. Petry, when you came to our stables that first day, you asked how you did. I told you that you made a lot of mistakes with Sadie (the horse), but that it was okay, Sadie didn't hold anything against you, she forgave you. The next time you came in you did great, but Sadie made a lot of mistakes while you were working with her, but you forgave Sadie. There will be days when you make mistakes and days when Sadie makes mistakes, but you cannot hold it against one another. Jesus Christ came ..."

My awareness was heightened. I was listening to the voice of God. Not my own reasoning, thoughts, choices or directions.

He didn't come to me in a burning bush or a bright light, but he audibly caught my attention when I was in the midst of a lot going on around me and my attention was focused on my surroundings.

It is the neatest thing in the whole world to pray, wait, and listen to God and then, hear Him when He does answer. It's like trying to explain love, you simply can't.

Just this week doing devotions in the meal ministry before 110 dinner guests as I was about to read the next section in Habakkuk, I asked my listeners, "Can you imagine if when praying and asking God questions what it would be like if He answered? God did answer Habakkuk's questioning and we are about to hear what He said."

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He didn't just speak to those in the bible thousands of years ago.

If God spoke to people throughout the bible and we know in heaven we will know Him and talk with Him, why on earth do we think he is silent in between? That in between, He doesn't speak to our generation? I believe we are a generation the reads about God of the bible (past), knows He is the God of eternity in heaven (future), but He is silent with us. He isn't. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

When God speaks pay attention.

Pay attention to hear God speak.

"I said."

There is a recurring theme in the last couple books of the bible we've been going through during devotions in the books of Nahum and Habakkuk. 

At first, I was pretty put off. Growing up most of us learned the story of Jonah, the one who was told by God to go to Nineveh and tell the people to repent. Jonah ran, hid and ended up in the belly of a whale for three days. Given another chance, Jonah follows God's command, Nineveh repents, God spares. 

Then. Then, came the prophet Nahum 100 years after Jonah. Nineveh, then the most powerful nation on earth, seemingly invincible, is back to their old behaviors. Arrogant and rebelling against God. Nahum pronounced judgment on the nation and this powerful nation was in the end utterly destroyed.

The book of Nahum is only three chapters. Short. Powerful. Why was this book never shared? God spared, then came back and said, "I said." 

God sees all. 

Then comes the prophet Habakkuk, another three chapter book. Habakkuk boldly bringing questions and complaints to God on difficult topics on evil in the world and the wicked seem to be winning.

God begins to speak and tells Habakkuk to write it all down plainly so all will see and understand. Then, God. He does what he said He was going to do and He uses whatever He chooses to show that He is in control and will triumph. World powers crushed. He says, "I said."

This election is scary. Life uncertainties, injustices, wrongdoings leave me reeling out of balance. But, God. God doesn't miss a thing. He knows all, sees all, and has the final say. 

These two books of the bible says and emphasizes again and again what God said and judgment. Timing is everything and my soul is aware how what I am teaching applies directly to my own life. The theme in these two books, said once, then emphasized again has my undivided attention. My eyes open and my heart listening. Not at me; rather, as a comfort. 

Listening to the Voice of God

I'm reading a new book Discerning the Voice of God from one of my new favorite authors Priscilla Shirer.

In busyness, a very full schedule, the noise of life, television, social media, favorite quotes, mantras and respected opinions I find myself searching for answers and direction.

Not crumbs of I believe this and I believe that from my worldly perspective that gets lost and jumbled inside of feelings and emotions, but truths.

About a decade ago when I really became interested in searching for God, He spoke to me through books and words and devotions, because that's where I searched for Him.

I called this blog The Magical Highlighter because when I was seeking Him, words would jump off the page as answers as if they were highlighted. Where you seek Him, you will find Him. Truly, He can and will use any path He chooses to reach you.

When He does it through the most unlikely of people, my awareness is heightened and I find myself in moments of impressed respect. Which sounds ridiculous evening typing because our minds cannot even grasp all who He is. I guess it's just an avenue that speaks better to me personally.

Sitting still is my go to in storms. I sit still, connect more strongly with God, heal, get strong, and enjoy my place of covering and protection.

Sometimes its days, sometimes its weeks, and a few times it has been months.

At the end of sitting still, which is like a gentle nudging, I go from loving the warmth and protection to ready to ready to throw the gates open and race again.

Sitting still is not a time out. It's not a punishment. It's a yearning to quiet the noise and connect with God in a deeper way.

This book Discerning the Voice of God is how to recognize God's voice when He is speaking.

Priscilla shares in If Your Listening ...

My prayer time used to be a one-way conversation - all talk, all the time. Once I'm finished bringing my prepackaged matters to God's attention, instead of ending things right there - as though I've dutifully delivered my report to Him and can now go about my business as usual - I don't. I resist the urge to jump to my feet just because "I'm done." Sure, I might be done, but ... what if God's not? I've gotten a chance to talk - to share with Him what's on my mind. Why should I not at least allow Him the same courtesy?

Rather than telling God things I already know, I invite Him to tell me things only He knows, things He wants to share with me by His Spirit. 

The thoughts of God know ones knows except the Spirit of God. 
- 1 Corinthians 2:11

I've done a lifetime of talking in prayer, we are supposed to present all things big and little to Him. My new journey is now learning how to listen, perhaps not forcing Him to be a show off and speak through the craziest of avenues simply because He can. Although, it does dazzle and impress me. 

How on earth am I supposed to know answers to specific matters I pray about if I don't give Him the opportunity to speak after my lengthy list of prayer requests and an Amen?

I'm learning to turn my one-way conversation/requests/pleas/and everything I fervently present and perhaps give Him the opportunity to speak and me listen. 

A two-way conversation. 

Listening to the voice of God. 

Niagara on the Lake

David asked, what was your favorite part of the weekend? My answer was the unexpected *WOW* moments that happened throughout the entire weekend that dazzled and impressed me. 

It felt exhilarating crossing the border into Canada. Not only were we out of town and out of state, but we were out of the country! We went to the most perfect bed & breakfast at Niagara on the Lake.

The whole weekend far exceeded any expectation that I had. The weather sunny and warm, Niagara on the Lake was breathtaking and beautiful! Vineyards and wineries that made me feel as if I was in Italy peppered this quaint town still in full bloom of flowers.

We learned that Niagara on the Lake is a micro-climate. It will look as if its still summer there for approximately three more weeks, winter doesn't happen until January and it only lasts five weeks then it is warm again.

No wonder vineyards thrive, I am ready to move! 

We went away for the weekend for his birthday & Sweetest Day. 

Only a bed & breakfast would do for this weekend and I found The Woodbourne Inn. Their attention to detail made our experience extraordinary and this B&B far surpassed my every experience and expectation. It was their attention to detail that we appreciated and applauded again and again and again.

We walk in and was greeted by the owner, John, and the sweetest West Highland Terrier, George.

Warm, friendly and so incredibly informative, he set us up with the where to go, what to see, what to do, what to eat. The guy has class and knows his stuff! 

He provided us a map of the town highlighting must-do's. He gave us free passes for wine samples at several wineries and vineyards that allowed us to sample 3-4 wines including ice wines (our favorites) at each location, which means we sipped a variety of wines all day and never had to buy a glass! :D

Our room was beautiful. That fireplace a wonderful touch ...

That tub, amazing! This came with four different bath salts to relax and enjoy. We did.

The shower had a rainfall shower head on the ceiling of the shower. Down to the fixtures, this bathroom was laid out with extraordinary. The soaps were handmade. 

John asked what time we would like our wake up morning coffee tray to arrive an hour before breakfast. I said 7:00 a.m. As a routine creature of habit, I am always up at 6:00 a.m. and I was most certain I would want this early. Turns out we went out, came back late, and a later wake up knock at the door would have been a better choice. 

The muffins were fresh out of the oven, warm and made with fresh fruit. They were heaven to bite into!

Breakfast was at 8:00 a.m. (Yes, I chose that too early of an hour.) I had just got out of the shower, still in a towel and wet when David said, "It's 8:03 a.m." My punishment was I had to go to breakfast with wet hair and no make-up. It was funny and I deserved it. It would have been so rude to show up more than a few minutes late. 

This cinnamon roll, heaven! It was huge, hot, crunchy with cinnamon and was the best cinnamon roll I have ever eaten. Made fresh from scratch, of course.

Pumpkin waffles with real maple syrup and of course Canadian bacon. Delish!

We tried so many wines, frozen ice wines, ate a French baguette sandwich made with Brie cheese, pear slices, mixed greens and a vinaigrette sandwich. 

The shops on Queen Street where something out of a movie. So beautiful, so quaint.

That evening we went to Niagara Falls ...

Then to the casino where we spent four hours having fun playing on the machines on only $5.00! We won up to $38 and played until we had nothing. It was hours of fun.

Walking through the casino, a gentleman handed me two FREE tickets to the Le Grand Cirque show. They were $92 each and in the front section by the stage!

Heading home, we stopped in Buffalo, NY and toured three ships. A battleship, a submarine, and another battleship ...

The whole weekend was far better than I ever imagined. We found a gem less than four hours from home.  

I'd rather have a weekend of extraordinary than a week of ordinary. 

Happy birthday, David Franklin and Happy Sweetest Day to us!

New Carpet and Change

This morning I woke up to new carpet in my home. While that sounds so ordinary, it is actually quite extraordinary for several reasons.

I am a creature of habit, almost to a fault at times. I don't like change and as change has it, berber carpet is out of style. Who knew?

History continues to prove that I hold onto things until they are nearly discontinued, such as my favorite color of lipstick that I held onto for 10 years until one day it just wasn't made anymore. And berber [while not discontinued, nobody buys it anymore].

There I was in a carpet warehouse on a mission to find the same berber carpet in the same bone color. When I was forced into change, I went into the other direction. Flipping through so many choices that I was confused, my eyes came across one.

It was a pattern.

Do I like it or don't I like it? A bold risk. I am not a pattern girl; however, for change sake I bought it.

Suddenly, that bone color berber carpet I always thought I loved, I couldn't get it out of my house fast enough!

How do you go from loving your choice for so many years, to the wear and tear and footprints that slowly stain, to complete disgust?

Then the sweetest surprise happened ... I was at work when someone said there was a guy there for me. It was my dad. He walked in, hugged me, kissed me, and handed me the payoff to my carpet. He found out I was getting new carpet and paid my debt.

My carpet is perfect. Brand new, plush, clean, the color and pattern exactly what my home needed.