It’s a rainy and glorious Saturday morning in Western Kansas. For weeks we have endured 100+ degree heat and MAN it was a brutal for a span. But for the past 2 days, God has gifted us with lower temperatures and a handful of nice, gentle rains. This morning has been one of those mornings you want to sit in the stillness and peace of God’s presence as the rain drizzles outside the window. A morning that is slow to build between breakfast, coffee, devotions, reflection, and the Spirit. There are no demands waiting to be met or schedules needing attended to. It is simply, and profoundly, peaceful.
As I sat and reflected on different aspects of this mornings devotion, I recalled memories of how God has continually worked His plan within my life in such close proximity, it has left me in awe and wonder. I am humbled in the way in which He does this, so effortlessly, so constantly, and so boldly.
The first memory that I recollected was in my “coming back.” The same day I hit my knees in desperation on that kitchen floor I’ve talked about so any times, was the same day I sought a church. Going back to church is not only invigorating, but intimidating. All the thoughts ran through my mind, Will it be crowded? Will I be accepted? God, please send someone so I don’t feel so awkward! And oh he did. The following Sunday I walked into Chapel Hills Church in Colorado Springs. I was early enough that the worship team was still practicing and it wasn’t too crowded in the foyer yet. As I walked in, there stood a man with greying hair and a warm smile. “Hi, I am Pastor Roy!”
WHAT?! Not only did God send someone to greet me, He sent THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. You can’t tell me that wasn’t divine. That church, that congregation, is where my faith came flooding back and I was no longer ignorant and oblivious to God’s hand.
The next memory that came to mind was about 11 years later. Not that God’s divine orchestration and intervention was silent or nonexistent in those 11 years, it has always been present as I look back. Its just this is where my obedience comes into play to be able to really watch Him work from a front row seat.
In 2022 I took an EMT-B class. In that class there was a young woman named Sadie who reminded me a lot of my oldest daughter, Audra. Something about Sadie tugged and tugged and tugged at me until one day I asked her if I could hug her. She warmly welcomed my gesture, and that was the day God started to change both of our lives. I don’t want to give away Sadie’s testimony. BUT WOW. Between a trip to Topeka, multiple seizures, a few hospital trips, and one POWERFUL women’s event at our church, I watched Sadie’s life CHANGE. I watched her hold out her hands with almost an entire box of used tissues in them, in full acceptance of Christ. I have been humbled and blessed to watch God turn her sadness into joy, turn her sickness into healing, and her sin into triumph over the past 18 months.
And I still get to watch Him work in her, even just today. She now gets to minister to others, and I get to watch!
Then this week He did something else! I know, its just like Him isn’t it?
When Katie was going through her battle with leukemia, my friend Michelle and I would have “Coffee On The Porch.” This was a time for us to sit and talk about life. A sort of inexpensive (we drank Folgers) and largely healing therapy. And at the time, BOY did I need it. I wasn’t close to God at that point in life, but those times with Michelle were so special and helped me get through some of the roughest times. As I have reflected on that precious season with her, I thought, If Coffee On The Porch was that helpful to me, imagine what it would do when you get a group of God-fearing women together and invite the Holy Spirit. NOW THATS THERAPY!
So last week I reached out to a few of my lady friends, and we got together. I thought it would be just a nice time of fellowship that we could do occasionally, as needed.
HA! God has other ideas. He BROUGHT it. The close proximity blessing that only comes with obedience to Him.
He is taking a group of women and BUILDING SOMETHING. Community. Life. Truth. AND WOW.
I have no words.
Again, he is working in such CLOSE PROXIMITY of this life, of MY life, that I cannot deny Him and I cannot not be obedient.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself. It feels so surreal that the God of all the UNIVERSE is doing THINGS in the life of someone who hasn’t always been obedient, who has strayed, who has sinned, and who has no strength to carry her own burdens.
But it isn’t about our strength, is it? Its about our OBEDIENCE. When we are obedient, God works in VERY close proximity of our lives. It is in obedience that we experience Him intimately. It is in our obedience that we have peace that surpasses all understanding and the fullness of joy.
In our obedience we get to truly experience the God of everything in close range.
Luke 11:28 says, “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” And its true! When we walk as we are told, we get to experience the blessing of CLOSE PROXIMITY.
Faith grows abundantly here.
My prayer for you today is that you experience the close proximity of God as you walk in obedience. Watching God work at such a near range is not only humbling, but overwhelmingly full of joy. Like watching a new born baby take its first breath or watching Jesus leave the 99 to rescue the 1.
So today, pray over your obedience. Pray for God to make your steps clear.
feed yourself, girl! with obedience and truth so that you may intimately experience the blessing of close proximity.
feed yourself, girl 