5/9/24- Prayer

How are we to pray?

In all honesty, I am exhausted today, and I was yesterday. I wasn't going to post, but felt like I needed to be diligent. I already had the title and the verse, but am going to try and tie them into my experience I had on Tuesday afternoon. I happened upon the cutest puppy as I was walking into Whole Foods. I asked if I could pet this woman's puppy. She abliged. She proceeded to comment, "can you believe that I picked him up in February and he has a heart-shaped nose?" Now if you don't know me, you are getting ready to learn of my directness and my ablility to make light and break through all social etiquette with humor. My response to her was, "Well my dog has a heart-shaped butthole." Appropriately, she was blown away by my remark. We laughed about my comment for a bit, and then she asked me to sit down with her.

Before I dive deeper into this story, I must preface, I had just driven back from Chapel Hill and had listened to a sermon by Levi Lesko from Fresh Life Church in Montana. He has been one of my favorite preachers for the past 8 years, since my body became compromised. The sermon was titled, "You are Going to Be Happy Again." Enough time has passed since his 5 year daughter went to heaven, and he wanted to preach on this delicate topic. He shared how he and his wife have been able to live with happiness away from the guilt that their daughter is no longer with them. He finds comfort that she is in heaven and sits on the right hand of Jesus. If you feel the desire, you can find the Fresh Life APP and download it. This will allow you the opportunity to listen to his sermons as you wish.

OK, back to my story with this beautiful woman, whom I come to find out has just come to Whole Foods to buy a 6-pack of beer. As we continue to speak, I could tell that she was feeling so many emotions, and she also had two very strong beers in her system at this point. She shared that she had just learned that her divorce was finalized today.

This topic has become near and dear to my heart in the past 8 years, as I have witnessed and walked with strong beautiful women, as they have broken that tie of marriage. It is such an awful, dark and lonely place for a woman to find themselves in middle age. As I spoke with my new friend, I learned that her ex was actually a butthole. I don't know any details, but I do know that she was fearful

of him. She acknowledged the coincidence that the word butthole, which came out of left field in her mind, connected us and brought us together at this point in time.

In my experience, the women I have encountered have been with abusive controlling men. This makes this breakup even more scary, leaving these women with trust issues and feeling very vulnerable. Needless to say, my heart, my mind and my time went out to her.

Now if you know me, you know that I live every day to the fullest. I follow God's lead. And I love large. But if you don't know me, you may ask the same questions she asked of me. As I said, she was in a very emotional state, feeling lots of emotions. I proceeded to invite her to dinner. I had stopped by Whole Foods to pick up a few items to cook for dinner anyways. She said, "Are you for real?" I replied, "Yes." She had already made comments after we had spoken for a while, like, "why are you here?" She had expressed her gratitude for me sitting with her and the words we had exchanged. I had encouraged her that she would be happy again, when she expressed concern that she didn't know if she would ever stop feeling how she was feeling.

Then I did something I have never done. I asked her if it would be ok if I prayed with her. She shook her head yes. I took her hand and prayed. I'm really not sure what I said, but I do believe that God used me to deliver some hope and love to His beautiful child at that moment. She was moved to tears and just kept saying thank you after we prayed. She said she didn't know what was happening and why I was with her. I told her I believed it was a God-thing. God sent me to her that day. I feel she actually believed this too.

We exchanged numbers and got each other's names. She had told me she appreciated the offer to come to dinner, but she felt she wanted to be home. I respected her wishes and understood completely. I even gave her my address, which later that evening made me feel vulnerable. I'm not really sure why, other than my human nature and fear from the evil one kicked in.

I have asked my bible study sisters to pray for her. I wish her blessings on this day and every day as she moves through this period of mourning and new steps. I encourage her to take one step at a time and know that she is never alone and that she will be happy again with grace, the free unmerited favor of God.

I hope she will continue to pray to God. Although I do sometimes find it hard to pray in times of distress,

I know that He will carry you through this season. Ask for help from God “lean not on your own understanding,” and pray.

1Thessalonians 5: 16- 18

16 “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“