What I want to tell you

Today I'm linking up with the lovely Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. It's where whoever loves words, silences the inner critic and writes on a prompt for five minutes straight. Not fretting over being perfect. Won't you come on over and join in? Today's prompt is "tell".

He met me at the door of the healing prayer room and said, would you like soaking prayer or verbal prayer?

I said, both. 

So, he led me over to a group of empty chairs and said I could sit anywhere. Then a kind woman asked, “do you mind if I put my hands on your shoulders?” 

Of course I didn’t mind. 

Bring it on, I thought.

I’ve been struggling with anxiety at night for a long time. Missing those all important z’s and just all around not enjoying bedtime at all.

I know that is not what my creator has for me. What he wants for me. I know it was not his design that I go to bed feeling crummy every night from anxiety. 

I sat there with her hands gently on my shoulders, in silence. I bowed my head instinctively and prayed silently myself. 

Lord, I accept your grace in this minute. 

After a few minutes. She removed her hands and the man that led me to those chairs, led me to another person, Bridgett. I was able to pour out my frustration to her of my sleepless nights and I’m afraid I poured out some tears too. She was so empathetic. 

And most of all, she asked if she could hold my hands in hers.

And then she prayed for me.

It was the most beautiful thing.

I've done this thing before. Going to healing prayer.

I can’t even begin to tell you what a blessing it is to have someone else pray over and for you. So comforting.

Such a gift.

I’m telling you, we need each other. We need community.

We need fellowship.

If you are struggling with something, I highly encourage you to seek out someone else to pray for you. You won’t regret it. And you will be incredibly blessed.

Thanks for stopping by today, friend! It brings me such joy that you would take the time!

~Anne

Simply, words.

They have always been important to me. I read a book a long time ago called Words That Hurt, Words That Heal. That about sums it up. We can either hurt someone, or help to bring healing. It is our choice. It is my choice. I don't always choose well. Words are rarely neutral. However, simple words, spoken with kindness usually have the most impact.


One of my top love languages is Words of Affirmation. (from the book, The Five Love Languages) When someone compliments or affirms me, it goes straight to my heart. I feel loved. However, the reverse is also true. When I am criticized or put down, those words really hurt my heart. I don't want to hurt others with my words.


I find that even the simplest of words can make me feel (at the very least) noticed. Like a simple "How are you?".  And, when someone goes the extra mile to ask follow up questions? I feel important. 


What if we all asked, "How are you?" and then really listened for the answer? What if we asked follow up questions to that first one, to probe deeper? We could ask about job or family. (simple, right?) Or, "How was your day?"


If we know someone who is going through the same struggle that we had in the past, we could say, "I know just how you feel." People are craving to be understood.


We could try to look beneath rough exteriors to what might be brewing right under the surface. They may have just heard bad news. Instead of judgement, we could say to ourselves, "I wonder what is going on?" (and genuinely care). 

The Bible has much to say about words, so they must be important to God. He spoke the world and universe into existence by His Word! Matthew 12:37b says, "Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."

Those are strong words, but they are truth. When we use our words to uplift and heal, we are sowing good seed into our lives, and we are like Christ. Our words can either help or hurt, and they are rarely neutral. How will you use your words? Remember...simple words spoken with kindness mean the most.

Your story...it matters.

What's your story? If you are a living, breathing human, then you have one. Are you aware that just as God is the Author of life, that He is the Author of your story? He is in the business of writing each person's life to reveal something more about His divine story, A.K.A.: Himself. What an awesome thought!


This means that your story, the one with those heartaches and hopes that you'd maybe rather not talk about, reveals who you are to this world.

 Dr. Dan B. Allender says, in his book To Be Told, "Both your story and mine have unique characters, surprising plot twists, central themes, tension and suspense, and deep significance." 

As you contemplate your own story, God's desire is for you to join Him as co-author! Allender adds, "I am to keep writing [the story of my life] moving forward into the plot that God has woven into...my soul." How do I do that?


I think this means we must live our lives with a discerning heart, ever aware that God is at work continually authoring our story, no matter what may be happening in our lives. It also means risking to tell our story to others. God desires for our stories to be told. As we tell our stories, the good, the bad and the ugly, we are transformed. And our story will be used to bring transformation to our listeners.


As you ponder your story, ask: Who am I? What about God am I most uniquely suited to reveal to others? How has the love and grace of God been shown in my life?


God, in His sovereignty, has see fit to intersect our stories with each other and ultimately with His story, the gospel. It is only in knowing our story and giving it away that we will discover the deepest meaning in our lives. 


Thoughts adapted from the book To Be Told, by Dr. Dan B. Allender, Ph.D.