Just ASK!

I've never been a big asker - for help, for information, for anything really. I do ask questions in conversations, socially in getting to know people, but that's it really. Over the past few weeks, I have been learning about asking.

It all started with Exodus and the Israelites leaving Egypt. I never noticed before that in Exodus before Moses left for Egypt (Ex. 3:22), he was instructed about a time he was going to have to ask. Again as the Israelites were preparing for the last plague (Ex. 11:2) Moses instructed the Israelites to ask. Finally the results of asking (Ex. 12:35-36) were seen as they were leaving Egypt.

So, if you didn't go look up the passages it's the verse where God instructs the Israelites to request/ask from the Egyptians (neighbors and those above them) for articles of silver and articles of gold and clothing. The result, v. 36, "and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Did you catch that? Just by asking!

Moses asked/prayed to see God's glory (Ex. 33:18).
Abraham asked for Sodom and Gomorrah to be spared if 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, finally 10 righteous men within the city (Gen. 18:23-32).
Hezekiah beseeched for years to be added to his life (2 Kings 20:1-7).

And the list can go on and on. I love these examples because they are seemingly impossible things that we would never think to ask. Yet bold men asked and God answered in a big way. I love that all the Israelites had to do to plunder Egypt was ask.

So I have been learning about prayer and asking. Learning to go before God with requests and desires. I've also been learning to ask family and friends. God has been faithful to open my eyes to his answers, and he has been so faithful in teaching me and showing me his character and love.

On a side note, I would say that these were all asked and answered to God's glory. I do not consider myself a believer in the prosperity gospel (that God wants us to have all we want/need because we just do, and the world tells us we need it - this is not a biblical truth). I believe God gives us what we need to do the work he's called us to, not to live a cozy, comfy life.

In closing, two of my favorite quotes

Andrew Murrary on prayer

"God knows far better than we what we need. But as we get a deeper insight into what prayer really is, this truth will help much to strengthen our faith. It will teach us that we do not need, as the unbelieving, with the multitude and urgency of words, to compel an unwilling God to listen to us.... It will, when once we have been led by the Spirit to the certainty that our request is indeed something that, according to the Word, we do need for God's glory, giving us wonderful confidence to say, My Father knows I need it and must have it."

"Christ has opened the school of prayer specially to train intercessors for the great work of bringing down, by their faith and prayer, the blessing of His work and love on the world around. There can be no deep growth in prayer unless this be made our aim. The little child may ask of the father only what it needs for itself; and yet it soon learns to say, give some for sister too. But the grownup son, who only lives for the father's interest and takes charge of the father's business, ask more largely, and gets all that is asked."

Happy Anniversary!

My wonderful husband and I celebrated our one-year anniversary December 27th. He continues to surprise me with unexpected romance. Granted, he knows I'm too much of a planner to be completely "surprised," but I'm learning to let go. He let me help plan, but really it was all his idea.

We spent the night in downtown Austin at the Stephen F. Austin. I would TOTALLY recommend it for a lovely, romatic evening out. We had dinner at Eddie V's. Um... YUM! We split their salad (with crab and shrimp), a filet mignon with crab rice and mac and cheese. To top it off we split their melting Godiva chocolate cake.

This past year went by so fast. I think we're both looking forward to this year and those following. God has been opening our hearts to new things - from Sarah moving in while Aaron is away to hopes for children to convictions about what we need to be doing with our lives - the time, energy and money God has entrusted to us.

You're so Bed, Bath and Beyond

So this it's been a while since I've posted. The last month has been busy with the holidays and household changes. So the title to this blog came from an interesting encounter I had this past month. Here's the story:

On the day before Christmas Eve, it was about 70F degrees outside. My husband got off work early so I met him and a couple of friends for a drink at a wonderful little neighborhood bar by his office called Nomads. I had been running around Christmas shopping, so I thought it'd be nice to unwind, enjoy friends and of course, the wonderful winter weather.

There was another couple at the bar; the woman had obviously had one too many and was there for one (or three) more. She quickly made friends with all of us. Almost immediately I loved her.

I don't know if it was the straightforward, honest inquiry of who we were and why we were there or if it was the clear pain and insecurity when she spoke of her job, family and the upcoming holiday celebrations. She had a slightly veiled insult for everyone at the table, with a hint of buried envy beneath every one.

You may have guessed by now that my insult is the subject line. Everyone at the table, including her boyfriend, was worried that I would be offended by this (she waited till I was away from the table before sharing mine). So I heard it the second time around. Maybe I'm missing something, but I heard more the desire to be clean, nice and organized than an insult.

I don't consider myself Bed, Bath and Beyond.... yet.

So JenniLee, thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm praying for you. May 2010 be a year full of blessing, love, restoration and Bed, Bath and Beyond.