When we met up at Friday’s in downtown Buffalo Friday, Trish and I were so excited. Neither of us had seen the other in person since 1999 when she moved away to North Carolina.
Prior to Trish’s relocation, our relationship began when I felt God’s calling to be a consistent encouragement to this young woman. In her times of distress, we would often meet up at a restaurant where I listened and shared what the Lord impressed upon my heart to tell her. I invested hours on each occasion pouring out my heart and praying she would receive what I had to give.
At times, I must admit, I felt like my words were falling on deaf ears.
She would tell me, “I hear what you’re saying Dianna, but you don’t understand what I’m going through.” Trish would also occasionally give it to me straight and say, “You’re right, but I’m not gonna lie to you; I’m still gonna do what I want to do.”
She was one tough customer Daily Cup family.
Though it pained me to see her going through certain situations, I knew I could not force this headstrong individual into any specific direction. I simply prayed, shared biblical principles, and trusted God to do what only He could do.
I carried a burden in my heart to see her delivered, but that deliverance didn’t manifest right away.
But as we sat down and chatted on a breezy evening in our hometown this weekend, it became clear that the woman I was speaking to had completely grown and evolved over the last 13 years.
“You might have thought I wasn’t listening but I was,” an emotional Trish told me. “In certain situations your words still come back to me and help me.”
As this older, much wiser woman sat before me telling me how grateful and appreciative she was of what I had invested all those years ago, I sat fighting back tears. Though her life is not without challenges presently—none of our lives are perfect—she is not fighting the same battles or circling the same mountains she was back in the day.
That seed of encouragement and compassion God told me to plant in Trish’s life yielded a harvest. Though it appeared to be all in vain for a season, it wasn’t. Now, to see her yet holding on and growing in grace is an invaluable gift for which I am thankful.
I’m so glad I obeyed God!
Today, if you know God told you to invest in something or someone; take a specific course of action; or walk down a certain path, obey Him. Even if it doesn’t seem to be producing any fruit at the present moment, don’t give up. Don’t walk away from your assignment or be discouraged by lack of tangible evidence of growth, forward movement, or progress of any sort.
Let obedience to God be your only goal and trust Him to do the rest.
To remind you of the blessing of obedience, I’m stirring Isaiah 1:19 KJV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, instead of chasing results and getting caught up in your own personal goals, you will pursue obedience. You'll make God's priorities your priorities. And as result, you will reap a great harvest and be immeasurably blessed.
Now let’s pray.
Father, I ask that You forgive me for all the times I allowed discouragement over perceived failures and lack of results to deter me from my purpose. Thank You for refocusing me on what matters most—obedience. At this moment, I make submission to Your divine will my primary mission in life with full confidence that You will take care of everything else concerning me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
