Thankful Thursdays: Perfect Timing

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for God’s perfect timing!

There are many ways that God’s timing is perfect.

Today, I want to talk about situations where God prompts you to do something for someone and that someone says that your timing was perfect because you sent exactly what he or she needed, exactly when they needed it.

Such a situation happened to me earlier this week. While spending “quiet time” with God through prayer and studying The Holy Bible, I read a side note in my True Identity Bible that talked about how God is deep. Here is what the side note said…

He is Deep: The psalmist was in deep despair as his enemies mocked, “Where is your God?” Though in a time of depression, he wisely reminded himself that God isn’t only in the heights; he is also in the depths. “Deep calls to deep…” Perhaps you, like the psalmist, have felt waves of despair sweeping over you, threatening to take you under. Perhaps you feel so down you can’t look up. Learn from the psalmist to remember God and share your feelings with him. When your thoughts take you to deep, dark places, let God take you deep into himself.

Inspired by this message, I typed it into my phone and sent it as a text message to several friends and family who were on my heart. One of my friends wrote a reply to me saying, “Alexis your timing is perfect. Needed this. Thank you! Deep calls to deep.”

As believers in God, both my friend and I know that it wasn’t my timing that was perfect—it was God’s perfect timing!

This is not the first time that God has impressed me to send a message, song, quote or note to someone and they responded saying that the timing of that content was “perfect.” Each time that happens, I thank God for using me to help that person and I remind that person to give glory to God because it was Him who prompted me to send that content in perfect timing.

I’ve also been reminded of the importance of diving into God’s Word (The Holy Bible) on a daily basis because each time I study His Word, He either has a message for me or someone else (or both) and when I share it with the people He’s placed on my heart they often said that the timing was perfect.

I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity to share a message that God’s given me with someone who needs it. I am grateful for God’s perfect timing.

Aren’t you?

Share your stories about situations in your life when God’s timing was perfect. Your testimony will encourage others!

God bless you, dear friends.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of “God is Love” blog

Devotionals for the Heart: God sends messages with beautiful rainbows

Rainbow Messages
A devotional by Paula Moldenhauer

“I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.”~ Genesis 9:13 NLT

My nine-year-old burst through the front door. “Did you see? There are two rainbows outside!” The family rushed to the window. I trailed behind, caught up in a glum mood.

“Hurry, Mom!” My seven-year-old pleaded. “You gotta see this!”

I caught my breath as I joined them at the window. The perfect rainbow arched right in front of our home. Its colors were so rich it looked surreal, like something from a children’s Bible storybook instead of honest-to-goodness reality.

A tug in my heart said God gave me the rainbow to remind me of His promises.

Like the grumpy woman I was that day, I rejected the happy thought, reasoning with the left side of my brain that science has shown us how and why rainbows were made. The rainbow was delighting many families throughout our neighborhood. It wasn’t personal. It wasn’t a reminder to hope in God. Instead of reveling in the wonder of the rainbow’s beauty, placement, timing, and perfection, I recited the colors of ROY G. BIV.

Even people who’ve never read the Genesis account of Noah know the rainbow is a symbol of hope and promise. Whether or not God painted that rainbow for me at that moment can be argued either way. That isn’t the point.

The point is the Holy Spirit wanted to whisper hope into my heart as I gazed upon the rainbow’s wonder.

But that afternoon, I didn’t want to feel hopeful. It would mean choosing faith over whining, and, quite frankly, I felt like complaining.

I shut my heart and turned from the glorious rainbow. Oh, outwardly I tried not to dampen the enthusiasm of my children. I said the right things. Smiled an outside smile. But on the inside, I willfully closed my heart to the gentle reminder of the Holy Spirit that God’s promises were worth holding onto.

What a waste! I could have rushed down my stairs, flung open the front door (and my heart)! I could have run onto the lawn, my arms spread wide, embracing the promises of the Creator! I could have twirled in the street underneath the brilliant arch and laughed in joyful acceptance of His loving encouragement!

How about you, my friend? Are there gentle whispers of hope you turn from?

My Prayer: Father God, help me embrace the moments of hope You so freely give.

~*~
Author Bio:

Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to live free to flourish. She shares this message when speaking at women’s events, and it permeates her written work. 

Paula has published over 300 times in non-fiction markets and has a devotional book series, Soul Scents. Her first published novella, You’re a Charmer Mr. Grinch, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she now has six published works of fiction. Her most recent release is included in A Bouquet of Brides. 

Paula and her husband, Jerry, are adjusting to a sometimes-empty nest in Colorado. They treasure time with their growing family of adult children, spouses, and spouses-to-be. 

Paula loves peppermint ice cream, going barefoot, and adventuring with friends. 

Today’s devotion was adapted from her devotional book, Soul Scents: Rooted. Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com