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Thoughts for a Woman's Heart |
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encouragement in things that matter |
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The Call |
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Kelly was hoping to make some new friends when she showed up in the women’s Bible study group. Being a mom with three pre-schoolers was a stretch in itself, and although she adored her kids, she really wanted another mom to just chat with and maybe even get together with and take all their kids out to a park once in a while. As the study started, a woman several seats down from her smiled warmly in her direction. Hoping to make a connection, Kelly approached her after the meeting. They exchanged greetings and Kelly found out that Connie lived only a short distance from her. They sat together at the next Bible study and chatted easily as the session came to a close. Kelly decided to jot down her phone number for Connie while their kids were still running around the child care room, and just before they both left.
Kelly spent the week hoping Connie would call, but she never did. At Bible study, she asked Connie for her phone number, but Connie seemed very hesitant, and yet promised Kelly a phone call later in the week. Kelly waited, eager to spend some time with her new friend. Still, no call. Another Bible study came, and Connie was friendly enough, and even offered some reasons for why she hadn’t been able to call. As Connie pulled out of the parking lot and waved good-bye, she firmly said, "This week for sure!" Kelly decided Connie must have had a hectic several weeks, but since she seemed sincere enough, this week probably would be when she would call. Disappointment kept creeping in though every day that Connie did not call. At Bible study, Kelly found herself trying to hide behind a smile when she saw Connie. They still sat together, but Kelly’s feelings were beginning to sense rejection. Connie showed some sensitivity and asked what was wrong. Kelly attempted to explain, but Connie was distracted, and uttered a quick "Hey, I’m sorry," and was gone. The apology didn’t change anything and Kelly began to realize that what she had hoped for was probably never going to happen. She had invited her friend’s call and she had waited. And waited. Obviously, what was important to her wasn’t as important to her friend.
Just as Kelly invited her friend to call, God invites the believer to call. He has extended the invitation and waits for His child to call to Him through prayer. Do we disappoint Him with our silence, our promises, and then our excuses and our apologies, and yet nothing ever changes? God knows that prayer offers the friendship of Himself – a friendship of incredible, experiential love, acceptance, encouragement, refreshment, and renewal. Is prayer as important to you as it is to God? Accept His invitation. He’s waiting for you to call.
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— Bev |
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Note: Although the above article is original, the concept of prayer being a response to God’s invitation to call, is taken from Cynthia Heald’s book, Becoming a Woman of Prayer. |
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Readers are invited to respond to Bev by contacting her at WomansHeart@BethanyBibleFellowship.org. We are sorry that she cannot personally answer your emails, but she will try to address your questions and concerns in future articles. |
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