Twice now in the last month (that I recognize anyway), I have received something from someone that would be easy just to 'explain away'. Both times, once the initial 'that's nice for someone to do' has passed, I have felt tempted to dismiss the 'message' on the grounds someone was just following a protocol or with something like 'well that's just that person doing their job' -- either way, the conclusion tempting me was that it was not really personal (how could it be, if the sources had no first-hand knowledge of my current experience / needs).
But, what I have risked missing in that temptation, is the reality that God is wanting me to know something; and, that He is using others to communicate it to me. If I dismiss the message, I am really dismissing something else, Someone Else, that wants to 'courage' me to continue faithfully in the battles of life. ...like refusing gifts at Christmas.
"God (himself) wants you to hear what is being said to you...He sees you" is something I am allowing myself to receive. I dare not explain it away. So now I repeat it to myself, "God wants you to hear this...", when I can. The truth of this is vital to both my well-being and sensibilities. I have challenged myself to receive these for what they are, rather than yield to the temptation to toy with what they aren't.
Thank you, God, for impressing this gift upon me...and for the ways you let me know that you Care. Help me to listen, recognize, and receive these gifts of yours to me.
