Author: vicklea

I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!

Waiting for God to Act

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Waiting Well (Daily Refresh, 6-10-26)

Waiting can be hard. 

Most of us would prefer quick, efficient, and—when possible—instant results and answers. 

But waiting is a part of life. 

We must wait for seeds to grow into food, for one season to fade into the next, for babies to mature into adults, and for trees to stand tall enough to finally offer shade.

Like it or not, waiting takes patience.

We can wait days, months, years, or even decades for a prayer to be answered, for an overdue apology, for the timing to be right, or for a dream to finally come to pass.

Waiting requires courage.

King David lived nearly 3,000 years ago, but he knew what it meant to wait for God’s timing, to wait to be king, to wait to be rescued from his enemies. He wrote:

“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If David thought waiting on God was important enough to write it twice in one verse, we should probably pay attention. But waiting patiently for the Lord isn’t an excuse to do nothing. 

We can proactively wait on God by staying in communication with Him, by looking for His fingerprints in ordinary moments, by reading about His story and His plans in His Word, by worshiping Him no matter what’s happening across the globe, by serving the people both inside and outside of our circles, and by thanking Him for the gifts He’s already given us.

Just because a specific door isn’t opening, or a particular opportunity isn’t available at this moment doesn’t mean that God isn’t moving.

Even when we are waiting—God is working. 

Noah spent decades building an ark as he waited for God to do what He’d said. Ruth journeyed with her mother-in-law and worked in the grain fields while trusting in God’s provision after her husband’s death. Joseph stayed faithful in prison for several years before his promotion to second-in-command of Egypt. John trusted God’s ultimate will for his life, and wrote several books of the New Testament while sentenced to exile on the island of Patmos. 

So, no matter what you’re facing today, you can ask God for patience and trust that He is in control of your future. No matter what uncertainty lies before you, when you rely on the Lord, you can be someone who waits well.

My Thoughts

I will be honest and confess here that I don’t wait well. I don’t necessarily expect instant answers from God, but I don’t like saying the same prayers over and over and not really seeing any change. Two examples come to mind immediately: my health issues and a job for our grandson Isaac.

I pray for my health. Others join me in prayer. Yet, I don’t improve. Or not yet, anyway. I saw my pulmonologist yesterday and she said that the steroids I am taking should have kicked in and I should be breathing better, but I’m not. So, what to do? More steroids at a higher dose. Back to waiting with the added prayer that the meds will work or God will just take over and release my breath.

I pray for Isaac daily, sometimes several times a day. He graduated last year with a degree in computer science and mathematics. The economy has been in a mess because of the government delays on passing a budget, so that caused waiting. Now, it seems that AI is interfering with Isaac’s ability to get a job since AI can do a lot of what he is trained to do. Isaac is discouraged but still plugging away with applications and an interview occasionally. I try to encourage him about waiting for the job that God wants Him to have, but inside, I am having difficulty waiting myself. I am frustrated that this sweet grandson who has had surgery for cancer, has to have scans every few months because it’s so aggressive, and now he has problems finding a job. God keeps whispering to me, “In my time.” Yet I continue to ask, “When, God?”

So, waiting is hard, but it is necessary. I love the paragraph in this devotional about being proactive while you wait. I put that part in bold, so go back and read again what we should be doing while we wait. Most important to me is communication with God, continuing to worship and being thankful.

God is good all the time… and He is not on my timetable. So, I wait and pray.

Are you waiting on something from God? How can I pray for you today?

GOD IS…

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

When I say the name God, what comes to your mind immediately? For me, it is a peace and a calm that goes beyond anything that I can imagine. It’s blue sky, white clouds, birds singing and butterflies fluttering in a beautiful garden. It is complete and total serenity in the presence of the One who knows me best and loves me most.

You Are-Healing Revival Sounds

So, I ask you again. What comes to mind when you say the name of the Lord? Don’t tell me…tell Him.

Have a blessed day in the One whose name is all in all.

Saturday Snippets

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Personal Snippets from Life3 Comments

I want to share a few things going on in my life right now, so if that isn’t anything you want to read, feel free to move on.

Update on Daisy

Daisy was pretty well-behaved at the vet yesterday and the vet was wonderful with her. The blood work came back normal, so no problems with her major organs and the doctor couldn’t find any signs of tumors. After talking and doing a flow chart, the doctor wants to start with the least problematic thing first and change her diet, so she is on a special food now. She just started it yesterday evening, but so far, so good. If she starts vomiting again, I have to call back to schedule an x-ray that will require me to make her fast for twelve hours. Anyway, so far, so good and I appreciate your prayers.

What I am reading now

There are so many good books and so many launch teams that I am a part of that I don’t know where to start. These are the top books that I am reading now, but I am actually reading about fifteen of them. I am trying to discipline myself to put the first book to launch at the top of my list and stay with it until I move on to the next one, but that is hard for me since I habitually read more than five or so books at a time. Anyway, these wonderful books are coming soon and if you enjoy Christian fiction, you should check them out!

What I am watching now

I watch TV shows for about an hour every other day. I generally watch the family shows with our granddaughter Teya. They are too “mushy” for my husband, so we watch The Night Agent together. I like the family shows better, but Harry enjoys the action of The Night Agent and it is mostly drama and secrets and spying instead of blood and gore.

What I am listening to now

I subscribed to Audible to try to knock off some books from my reading list without having to use my eyes all the time. I also like Christian music to listen to as I do my devotional and some of my reading.

I am almost finished with Dana Mentink’s Love Inspired Suspense book and I really enjoy Divine Sound…99 Christian songs by various artists, including Brandon Lake and Anne Wilson.

How’s my health

Hard topic, but I will try to keep it short. My spine is giving me fits, depending on how long I have been standing or walking that day. I see my ortho doctor on Monday and he is supposed to have met with the “team” to decide what the next step is for my five herniated discs and pinched nerve. I feel as though I am on a tight schedule to get anything done because Teya gets married (a wedding!) in northern PA in August. I also developed a bronchial infection this week, so I am on multiple meds for that and have to keep a written list each day of the times of breathing treatments and oral meds. But I am improving and have been sleeping a little better at night.

My scripture for the day

I hope you enjoyed Snippet Saturday. Feel free to share your own activities, listening, books, shows, etc. Let’s spend time getting to know each other so we know better how to pray for each other.

Prayer Requests

On By vickleaIn Scripture9 Comments

So, we all have a lot going on in our lives, so today’s blog is about sharing our prayer requests and thus sharing our burden. If you don’t want to say exactly what it is, just say you need prayer for an unspoken request. God knows what we need before we say it, so He will listen to those “secret” requests, too. In the spirit of climbing out of my introverted cave, I will start.

This is our cat Daisy. She has to go to the vet today because she vomited blood yesterday. So, I would appreciate prayer that 1)we can get her into her carrier which she hates and 2)the vet can determine what the issue is and 3)that Daisy will be okay. She is ten years old and has been my constant companion when I am home, which has been a lot due to retirement. She cuddles in my lap when I read, sleeps next to me on the bed and follows me from room to room. We have had her since she was four months old and I am anxious about her being ill or in pain. So, I appreciate the prayers. God cares about our pets because He knows that we love them.

Now, it’s your turn. How can I pray for you today?

Thankful Thursday

On By vickleaIn Scripture5 Comments

I don’t want to bore you with my positivity but if I don’t make the effort to stay focused on good things, my very rebellious mind drifts to all of the bad stuff. So, here goes!

What I am particularly thankful for today:

~I slept last night for over six hours without waking up from coughing. 🙌

~I walked for fifteen minutes this morning (in five minute intervals) and did not lose my breath. 🙌

~I managed to dust a few pieces of furniture, so praise God I was able to bend to do it. 🙌

~God provided the money to pay our bills and to get our groceries this month. We buy extra since our granddaughter is here and we have enough to do that. 🙌

~I was able to get birthday gifts for our youngest grandson and our son, too! God provides the necessities and even some wants, too. 🙌

~I got a new book to read by Cindy K. Sproles (The Eyes of River) and it is a wonderful story. 👏

~I don’t have a steroid headache today after two days. Hallelujah! 👏

I wrote seven things because God says seven is the number of rest. On the seventh day, He rested. So, I am closing this Thankful Thursday post and turning it over to you to add your seven cents to it. Have a blessed day…be thankful for all things at all times!

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart-Created to Worship

Stinkin’ Thinkin’

On By vickleaIn Scripture8 Comments

Just open a newspaper (if you can actually find one these days) and all of the headlines deal with my title topic for the day. Killings, fires, car accidents, and on and on it goes. But our Bible tells us to get our minds away from that stinkin’ thinkin’ and think of the good things. Look up, not down and around.

So, what am I thinking this morning?

~I am breathing better after two days of meds. Thank you, Lord!

~There are eight different species of birds coming to my new camera bird feeder that our youngest son gave me for Mother’s Day. I love it!

This is my favorite visitor so far. And he comes around a lot, along with a Tufted Titmouse, a Blue Grosbeak and an American robin. So many to enjoy!

~I am also enjoying all of the hummingbirds flitting around outside my window, literally close enough to touch if I opened the window. My sweet husband put the feeder there so I can see it well.

~My yellow roses have finally started to bloom! They are my favorite flower. Again, my sweet husband got me the bush last year and it didn’t do much until lately. Lots of blossoms now!

~Today is Taco Salad Day! The local diner makes taco salads every Wednesday and this morning my sweet husband (are you tired of that phrase yet…just remember to look up!) got up early (at 10:30) and announced that he was going to order me a taco salad before he went into town to get his books from the library.

~I am really enjoying the Christian fiction books that I am reading now. Lots to read…more on that later when I get ready to review them.

~Finally, God is good, God is great. According to the scripture:

He saved me, He is saving me and He will save me! Hallelujah!

Now it’s your turn to share some positivity with me. Don’t look at the news…look at what God has put on your heart and blessed you with!

Understanding

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

I am map clueless, which is kind of funny considering one of my degrees includes numerous classes in geography. But my husband knows not to hand me a paper map and expect me to read it for him. I am not a good navigator, even when using GPS. I have been known to tell my husband to turn too early because I didn’t understand the directions on the GPS.

How does that apply to my life spiritually? I want to know where God is taking me and when, but He doesn’t give me a map. Instead, He just says repeatedly, ”Trust Me.” I don’t have to know where he is leading me or when I will arrive as long as I trust the One who is in the driver’s seat.

We naturally want to know ALL the things as we travel along life’s highway. What is around that curve? Where is our next stop? When will we arrive? God wants us to just trust Him for the safe arrival at our destination. When we question everything and seem to want to understand it all, we get lost in the muddy mire of unnecessary-for-us-to-know details instead of keeping our eyes on the Good Shepherd who is leading us to the green pastures we want to eventually get to.

My life lately has been one of not understanding, but it is in this place that I have come to confront the fact that I don’t need to understand to just keep moving forward with God. Sometimes He lets me know a part of His plan, but mostly I am just taking one step at a time and waiting for direction for the next one.

The only understanding we need about our circumstances comes from God and He lets us know what we need to know when we need to know it.

One of my favorite quotes from Corrie ten Boom. Do you really trust the Engineer of your life?

Trust in God-Brandon Lane (Charlie Kirk Memorial)

Connect Hopelessness to Hope

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Songs in the Dark (Daily Refresh, 6-01-26)

Even in life’s hardest and most depressing seasons, God is with us and is listening to us. 

One purpose of a song of lament, or lament psalm, is to be honest with God. It’s about expressing vulnerability by telling God exactly how we feel. We should never be afraid of God or how we speak to Him, because He is able to handle our deepest emotions and complaints. And lament psalms are our model in Scripture on how we can be honest with Him.

Psalm 42 is a lament psalm. It is a song about the hopelessness of the writer’s current condition. It speaks to deep sorrow and grief that is experienced in life. The writer of Psalm 42 does not know why he is depressed. He’s not sure why certain things are happening to him. And so he goes to God in prayer and song, expressing the deepest parts of his soul.

Another purpose of lament is to connect the hopelessness of life with the hope that God gives. Laments act as a bridge between our present situation and the promises we’re waiting on. 

The writer of this Psalm speaks to his own soul and encourages himself to continue to hope in God. He knows that no season lasts forever, and there will come a time when joy returns to him.

We will all go through seasons of sadness and grief. And we will have Psalms as a guide. The first step is to come before God and honestly express yourself to Him. Tell Him exactly how you feel.

Next, remember the promises that He has given you in His Word. Recount how much He loves you and cares for you.

And lastly, encourage yourself to put your hope in God. Move towards songs of praise in spite of your current circumstances.

My Thoughts

Today’s devotional was perfect for me, and I pray that it will speak to your heart, too. You see, I have been awake since 2:30 a.m. I wish I could say I was earnestly praying or praising or anything besides what I was doing. I spent four hours coughing, using my inhaler, pacing and trying to get my breath as I spoke to God about how awful it felt to have difficulty breathing. I finally got up at 6, fed our cat, used my morning meds which included my inhaler again as well as other asthma meds, and called my pulmonologist at seven, when the office opens. I now have a Telemed appointment this afternoon since my meds are not kicking in as they should.

Am I discouraged? A little, but mostly, this devotional spoke to me because I am hopeful that God’s answer is on the way. After all, torn rotator cuff, spinal issues and now asthma flare, too. Instead of complaining to God, I am choosing to praise Him and know that He is helping me through this time of my life. In the middle of the night, when the coughing was so bad that it rattled my already unstable bones, I knew that God was hearing me even when I could not take a breath to speak a prayer.

God is not just the God of the mountaintop experiences, although we would all like to stay there and just look down into the valley. He is there with us in the valleys, too. I think that He is especially close in the valley times because it is quiet and there are no interruptions to distract us from our time with God there. We may choose to let things distract us, but I think that is a wrong choice. We need the quiet so we can hear His voice gently whispering His peace and loving words to our troubled body and spirit.

God may seem distant, but He isn’t. Even as I struggled to catch my breath, I knew that He is the One who gave me the breath of life and He will be the One with me when I take my last breath. If He wants me to continue to live, He will provide the strength, healing and hope that I need to face each new day.

I hope that you find peace in the Lord today and that He gives you a reason to praise Him. My being alive is enough reason for me. What’s leading you to praise the King of Glory today?