How Honor Matured Through One Simple Text Message

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It began with a prayer journal entry—my asking God if writing was His desire for me.

You see, in recent years I’ve struggled with guilt. For twenty years I felt called to teach adult bible studies and the feedback from class participants gave me confirmation I was on the right track—God’s track. Then, several years ago, my love for teaching began to wane. The spark I’d once experienced standing behind a podium was now being experienced every time I sat down to bang the keys. Could something that makes me feel like a giddy teenager be of God, or was it instead the enemy trying to distract me from God’s true calling on my life? I continued to write more than teach while the inner struggle on how to honor God and His desires refused to budge.

I was growing weary of asking (wondering if I’d heard Him clearly) and I was pretty certain He too was weary of confirming every fleece I’d thrown at His feet for the past five years. Nevertheless, earlier this year, I sat down with journal in hand determined to hear from God and quiet my constant inquiries. My entry ended with this:

Heavenly Father, will you lead the way? I only want what You want. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a teachable spirit to discern Your ways. I love You, Pappa. 

As my pen swept over the final “p” in Pappa, the phone beeped, alerting me to an incoming text. It was from my dad: 

“Good morning sweetheart. I often think of you on these rainy mornings that I love so much. I see you with pen in hand with a steaming cup of tea or coffee…loving the quiet sound of raindrops as you listen for a special little message to put on paper. I love your writings very much but I love you much, much more.” Dad

And there it was. 
My heavenly Father speaking directly to me 
through my earthly one.

Tears trickled as I picked up my pen and began to write what God had just cemented in my heart:

Father, You are delighted when I write! You even love my writing! But you love me—your daughter—much, much more. 

dad
My dad with the family’s first granddaughter, Piper.

God peeled back the curtain of uncertainty, allowing me to see the situation through His parental eyes. I delight in my two sons simply because they are mine. However they choose to use their God-given gifts to glorify Him will bring a smile to my face. Why couldn’t I believe this truth for myself in relating to my heavenly Father?

It’s not so much about the gifts, but rather, the heart that motivates the desire to use them. This is what God had been trying to tell me all along.

A sense of honor for my dad matured in unexpected ways as God’s plan unfolded through his timely text message that morning.

The days of my asking God to confirm whether I should be doing this or that with my spiritual gifts ended that morning. Freedom has come to stay, for His delight in me is grounded in the truth that I am His daughter, created in His image and for His glory, just like you. Whatever way we choose to use His gifts will bring Him great pleasure.

How has your heavenly Father used your earthly father to bless you?

Father, thank You for the surprising ways You use others to speak truth into our lives.

For in him we live and move and have our being. ‘As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay Images

Cathy Baker

Cathy Baker is an award-winning writer and author of Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach as well as Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains. As a twenty-five-year veteran Bible instructor, she's led hundreds of studies and workshops. She's also contributed to numerous anthologies and publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, and Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family. In addition, her poetry can be found in several popular anthologies. She and her husband, Brian, live in the foothills of the Carolinas where she one day hopes to have her very own Goldendoodle. Subscribe to Cathy's blog and receive a free e-book, Praying In Every Room of Your Home. http://www.cathybaker.org

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22 comments

  2. Thank you, Marcia. 🙂 I love the specificity of our heavenly Father. Such a blessing!

  5. So touching, Cathy. I’ve struggled with the same questions for the past couple years. God used your sweet post to show me that He values me greatly as His child, no matter how I serve Him.

  6. Sherry, I thank God for cementing that truth in your heart. I’m praying for you as He continues to lead and guide you, His precious daughter. Blessings!

  7. I’m just going to pretend your timely text message was for me as your post came in the midst of my wife wondering whatever happened tp my anility to dream and hear from the Lord?

    1. Pretend away, Will! 🙂 God’s timing is always perfect. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to share.

    1. Thank you sweet Dee Dee Parker. I appreciate your taking the time to stop by. Blessings!

  10. It’s not so much about the gifts, but rather, the heart that motivates the desire to use them.
    Beautiful line and wonderful post, Cathy!

    1. Thank you Susan. To God be the glory! It was a turning point in my life — that’s for certain. Bless you, my friend.

    1. I’m praising the Lord with you, Judy! Thank you for taking the time to share. 🙂

  12. Your post really spoke to me. I often doubt that writing is God’s direction for this season of my life. Thanks for the encouragement to follow His call.

    1. I praise God for how He used this post to speak to you, Gail. I’m praying your doubt will lift as His assurance covers your heart and mind. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 God bless!

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