It Started With A Casual Conversation

I have seriously had some of the coolest encounters with God this week. Writing this I am only on day five of the fast with Metro Life Church. I can’t begin to explain the turn around I have had just within these first couple of days.

I won’t go into detail on here about it. First I want to say that although I am excited it does not mean that I haven’t been challenged. Fasting is extremely spiritual and the fight that is against you when doing so is very real. I’ve come across quite a few moments that have tested me a bit.

However, I truly have felt so uplifted these past couple of days. This all started with the fasting of social media. Basically when fasting, you should use that time that you are fasting to connect more with God and His word. Well, I read His word every morning. The first two days of the fast didn’t really feel quite different. I mean, there were definitely moments of frustration and little battles. But by different, I mean I didn’t really feel much of a positive difference. On that third night, things changed a bit. I prayed. I talked to God for about 15 minutes in my room that night. We talked about my family, my friends, my church, finances, jobs; you name it we talked about it.

It wasn’t a super deep, gut wrenching, on my knees crying out to God kind of moment. (Sometimes I think people confuse conversations with God needing to be these super deep moments where you cry. It’s really not always like that.) It was just a moment with a sweet/ gentle friend, talking before I went to sleep. It was nice and that was all.

Next morning.

I woke up multiple times that morning starting at 3am. I was finally up and starting my day at 6:30am. I felt certain things/people were coming to mind randomly. So I talked about it with Him. I prayed and my morning went on. While running some errands, ideas would randomly pop into my head. Either to do something for someone or send a word in a text or simply prepare a couple of things earlier than what I had scheduled.

Honestly, as things came up I kind of just went with it. I was talking to God all day in the car and my room as I ran errands. As I did these things without question, it was like peace started to spread. Either I did something that made someone feel peace about a situation or did something that not only made me happy but made others happy. (Which of course in turn made me ten times happier).

So I talked to God at the end of that night again. The mighty, all powerful God who I was now looking at as a gentle giant who was an old/sweet friend.

Next morning comes and God shows humor today.

Had my bible time, had my morning cup of coffee with Him and He started to use me again.

This time, as I thought of people, He sent them my way. I would type out a message to someone and as I sent it, they would text me saying hello and asking about the very thing I messaged them. If it wasn’t that, it was me wanting to message them and they messaged me first. Then I was given a phrase or interaction to tell them about and it touched their heart.

Then to open my devotional and journal only to find a little surprise in there that just made me laugh and look up to heaven saying with all the laughter I had and widest smile “God, what is going on? I’m so confused in the best way possible.” My heart flooded with warmth. Like my friend Jackie put it, quoting the book captivating, “God is seriously romancing you”.

Honestly, He was. I was giddy and felt so in love. Still feel so in love. All of this was due to just having more casual conversation with Him. As I stated previously, I got in my word already. I prayed to Him daily. But I didn’t really CHOOSE to have casual conversation with Him. Reflecting on it now, I kind of just prayed if someone needed prayer or if I needed something in my own life.

But talking to Him, just to talk to Him, that changed the game.

Talk to Him. Journal about it. Hold onto that journal. I’m currently looking back at a devotional journal I had in 2013 and it’s incredible to read back and see how ignited I was for Him. But it’s even nicer to know that it just takes an intentional conversation to ignite your faith life again.

I have felt so beautiful and happy being used for His love. I keep telling Him that I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds. Whether it be a day of peace or a day full of activity, it’s exciting to finally feel the fruit of what laying things down for God is. To abide by Him and follow the little kisses He gives you throughout the day.

I write this not to brag about God blessing me by letting me bless others or connect. I write this in hopes that it encourages you. What’s missing? Reading your bible is great but do you talk to Him? Or maybe you talk to Him all the time, but do you read His word? Have you journaled to reflect? Have you prayed to honor rather than just seek? (Which, yes. You can pray to seek answers.)

Its my prayer that you do. Whatever rejection has protected you from, don’t take the protection and leave it for what it was. Take it as the redirection you needed towards this season in your life. He really wants to romance you. He wants you to know that He is your gracious friend, your loving father, your justice, your redeemer. You can walk in His endless goodness.

If you were wondering, this is the devotional my mom had given me in 2013. It was my favorite Christmas gift that year and I sobbed like a baby.