Redemptive Solutions

And who knew that our God was kind enough to teach two uncomfortable lessons in one short week?

Lessons involving disturbances, set-backs, failure, and monumental displeasure.

Because for years I have been wrestling with this idea… Holy Spirit, teach me to pray for those things that bless God to answer.

In other words… what are the things I can be praying that delight Him to answer?

What are the big, bold prayers I can be praying that not only bring redemptive solutions to impossible situations, but what prayers adequately and effectively change me?

Because the sincere prayer of my heart is this: Jesus - when others see me, I want them to see You. I want them to encounter YOU!

And I understand that it’s a choice I have to make every day. A choice I make to effectively carry the atmosphere of heaven into every single room I enter into.

It was my prayer again yesterday morning. And I had written it down in my journal, “Let this house, my home, be a place of peace, joy, love, acceptance, forgiveness, grace, encouragement. Let all who enter my home feel the difference of JESUS in this place.” I had continued on, “Be present in this place! Bring the atmosphere of heaven here now!”

I had sincerely written that only hours before we would learn that a massive water pipe was leaking all throughout the basement of our “new-to-us” home. We would almost accidentally discover it, unfortunately, more than 24 hours after a main water line wasn’t properly shut off by some servicemen who had been in our home the day before prepping for an install in our kitchen.
And in the moment of discovery I had a choice to make.


God tenderly returned me to the pages of my journal. Words on a page. A passionate request from my own lips in a prayer uttered hours before.

“Oh that I would effectively carry Jesus into every part of my life.”

And there was a point in our discussion with the installer where he stopped for a moment and said, “You guys are taking this way better than most people I know! I would generally be getting screamed at by now.”

And I paused long after hearing his words.

“Yes, God, maybe this is it?!”

Because it is my belief that when we are brave enough to pray this way - He is faithful enough to infuse us into situations where we’re given an opportunity to respond appropriately. Or not. And just maybe this weary warrior is beginning to see it more clearly than ever before.

Because it’s the only way people will be drawn to Jesus.
Through us.

Because of our radical love.
Because of our undeniable grace.

And so I continue to beg the question every single day, “What is it about me that is drawing others to Him?”

It matters!