Plain Spoken

God must know I need answers spelled out clearly with the muddle my heart and mind are in at present.

On Friday I asked God for a "sandwich" to replace Mom above and Jolene below. In my Saturday quiet time I reread a familiar verse: You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

Say "sandwich" with me.

Saturday night, I was questioning whether I was wrong in believing I am a gifted speaker/teacher (when I make the mistake of seeing others getting opportunities I have asked for). That very night, I receive an email requesting permission to reproduce my handout on "Empowering Your Writing Through Your Spiritual Gifts." The requestor said, "I would like to be able to give it to them because I think it succinctly explains gifts and how to include that in our characters, plot, setting, and theme, even though that isn't necessarily the focus of my talk."

Affirmation.

The ladies' Bible study at church is working through the "Stepping Up" study by Beth Moore. One of the sidebars reads "God never more closely surrounds us than when He lifts us to His breast and carries us home." I broke out in tears.

The same study directed me to Psalm 30: "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."

Amen.