Make a List

Security, attention, intimacy, having a purpose, hugs, feeling like I belong, feeling trusted...
What's on your list? What are the emotional needs in your life?


(I'm waiting. You really are supposed to be making a list right now...)



Recently I took a good long look at my list. Spent several weeks looking at it, in fact. And when it was done, I realized that no job, friend, or even man can meet my list perfectly all the time. Only a Perfect God can... and will. So, look at your list again. Who are you expecting to fill it? Who are you expecting to fill You?

Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

This verb, "to meet" means to finish - as in finish it so there is no more, to satisfy, to complete. Don't those words speak of 100%. It's not like doing laundry where (unless you're doing it naked) it's never done. He will take care of it. Period.

I love the word "needs" in Greek. Yes, it does mean your needs, what you require. But it also means what you want! Isn't that a sweet truth - that God gives us what we need, but He delights in giving us the little extras - our wants. Of course, He's always going to answer our wants wisely - and sometimes that might be a no. Or sometimes He will give us our wants even when He knows there are going to be some bad consequences. None the less, He knows. He knows what's on your list. And He knows what you feel silly about writing down.

And listen to this Greek word for "according to". It means "by any means, beyond measure". He's waiting to Wow you. The idea of glory in Scripture is that of having really heavy pockets full and overflowing with treasures. So this - "according to" is God digging in those pockets and pulling out one gift after another.

So, my friend. Make that list. But don't hand it to your husband. Don't hand it to your sister. Don't hand it to your friend. It belongs to the Lord. Let Him be the one to perfectly fulfill it. And if He uses your husband, sister or friend - than Glory be to Him. And if He uses the quietness of silent tears in a lonely night then Glory be to Him in that moment, too. He loves you. You belong to Him. He wants to meet your needs. He wants to fill you.

The Banana Philosophy

When I think about Haiti, I think of a place of peace, where I was grounded in a routine, in ministries, in languages and in relationships. But it wasn't always so. My first few years were horrible. I mean horrible. I was miserable. Now I can look back at those times and see that God was banana-ing me.
First He pealed me. He took away everything I was good at. Everything that made me feel like me. So often I prayed, "I can't take anymore." But He wasn't done. He then smooshed me - getting rid of philosophies and beliefs and the hardness of my soul.
And now... I sometimes think we're starting all over. My Self has grown back up, and though I look different, there is still more that needs to be pealed... more needs to be smooshed.
And even though it hurts, His hand is gentle.

It's for His glory, you know. It doesn't seem glorious now. It doesn't seem full of the good fruit of the Spirit. It is so not fun. But, in the end what is is that we really want? We want God. And if this is what it takes, so be it. He will be faithful.

"Lord, I give up all my own purposes and plans, all my own desires and hopes and ambitions, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all my friendships; all the people whom I love are to take a second place in my heart. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Work out Thy whole will in my life, at any cost, now and forever." --Betty Stam (wife of John Stam mentioned on page 13 in our study book)