Is God Your First Choice or Last Resort?
Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
Hebrews 4: 15 -16 "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
Has it been one of those days? You know the kind, when everything that could possibly go wrong has? For me it was the washer and dryer going out the night before my daughter and I were off to California to visit friends and family.
It was also the week before Christmas and I needed to make sure everything was in order before I left my husband to man the house with our son. It is times like these that make me say "Calgon, take me away!"
However, as calm as Calgon might make me on the outside, It will do nothing to calm the inside. After running around frantically trying to ring out the clothes in the washer, trying to pack and wondering how in the world I was going to pay for a new washer and dryer after spending money on airline tickets and Christmas gifts and …. It hits me:
"Maybe I should pray about this." What a novel idea! I can hear Him now, "Teresa, my child. I have a solution if you would just take a minute to chat with Me".
After taking a minute to breathe and remember that "I" don't have it all figured out, I began to pray. I relaxed. I breathed, I even whined a little (well okay, a lot). I simply said, what should I do?
The next morning I went to work - The Lord impressed upon me to go "check out" some washers and dyers on my lunch break. I did. When I arrived back at work, I was surprised to find an envelope on my desk.
It was a Christmas bonus! I went back to the store and purchased the washer and dryer. It was delivered and installed just in time for my daughter and I to leave for the airport.
By the way, did I mention my daughter had a basketball game that night as well?
Take time to seek the Lord BEFORE that "day" comes.
Father, forgive me for not going to you first. Change my heart and draw me closer to You so that You are my first choice for comfort instead of the last resort. Thank you for your patience with me. Make me more like you today. Organize my time and give me discernment to recognize Your voice. In Jesus name, Amen
Teresa, every reader here probably has at least one story where he or she can say that going to God first was easier than going to him last. Thanks for reminding us!Hi Danny, thanks for reading and commenting. I always need these little reminders so it helps to know I am not the only one. :-) God Bless!
hi teresa, thanks for a well written article that reminds us that good things happen, even if you don't expect them. thanks for sharing your story with us, best regards, sue thomHi Sue, thanks for the comment. It is a wonderful thing when God has it all under control and we get a nice surprise! Have a great day.
Hi Teresa, I love how you share your frailties to build others up in Christ. I appreciate having a sister in Christ who is willing to share her warts and her wounds if it will help others to walk the narrow way. SuzybHi Suzy, thank you for the kind words. I figure I wouldn't be a very good witness for Christ if I pretended to have it all together. I am glad my frailties encourage you! As I have said many times before, If I can spare someone a little pain and they can learn from my mistakes, then my joy is made full. God bless you Suzyb.
Teresa, Once again you hit the nail on the head with this article! Very moving! I can't tell you how much I needed to read it. My day like that was yesterday-Easter of all days! I just sat in church asking God why-missed the entire sermon, but it ended all well as usual! Thanks for being a light!Hi Laura, I'm so glad it encouraged you! It figures, Easter day. Life will does take hold of us, doesn't it?! Glad to hear your day ended well. Praise God for His undying grace!. Thanks for the comment. It is a great encouragement to me. I wasn't sure I was hearing from the Lord on this one today or if it was just me wanting to share. I believe it was both :-) Have a fabulous week as you remember to put Him first. God Bless! Teresa
Teresa, this was definitely something that I needed to read today. It has gotten so easy for me to try to do things on my own, and so frustrating when it didn't work out. Thanks for the reminder!Hi Stephany, isn't that the way it goes? And then we wonder why we are frustrated. Our flesh doesn't die easy :-) So glad you were encouraged! Your welcome for the reminder. I think I mentioned already, I needed the reminder as well! We Christians need to build each other up. Blessings to you!! Teresa
Teresa, we had a similar discussion at a Bible study. The question put to us was when trouble comes, what is our first response? It made me much more aware that God is God no matter the circumstances. Thanks for sharing your heart with this community."God is God no matter what the circumstances" AMEN to that sister. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this community. I hope I am as much of an encourager as I am a receiver of encouragement from you and many others here. God Bless your week. "Seek first the kingdom of God"... In Christ, Teresa
Bingo, great article. You got right to the point and you presented it excellently. Now if I can only do that. Oh, I know, I just got the message how. Thanks Robert.Hi Robert, thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it and that you thought it made a good point. I am glad I was able to teach you a little something :-).. Your welcome.
Great article, indeed the Lord is Good.Hi Rodney - I agree, indeed the Lord is good. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Now I can go read a little from you. :-) God bless. Teresa
I am a spiritual being in a human existence. I tire of having scripture being quoted at me. Why is it the Baptists think the Mormons are going to hell and the Catholics think everyone else is wrong because they are right? The Muslims want to kill everyone and if I do not believe in Jesus I am doomed to spend eternity in a place called hell? If God is so loving why would he send me to hell at all? (If it even exists?) I look at my small child and say no matter what he does I will still love them. Yet GOD is going to punish me for a really long time (ALL the time left, which is more than all) because I was not a believer in Christ! If religion never existed the world would be a better place. The same concept goes for countries. Please stop sending out scripture based content stories.Hi Mr Keith. As I mentioned in my other response, You are entitled to your opinion. Many people are encouraged by my articles. You have to option not to read them. But I will not stop sending out Scripture based articles. Just as some people agree or disagree with yours, yet you still write them, I am doing to same. That is the beauty of Searchwarp. I have many friends who do not believe as I do. We care for one another and truly wish the best for eachother. We do not fight or argue. We respect eachothers beliefs. Just as I respect your input. Thank you for sharing your heart with me. May God richly bless you and bring you peace. Teresa
