A GENTLE WHISPER

Psalm 77:14 “You are the God Who does wonders.”

Let’s never assume we have it in the bag thinking we know what a particular word means.  Whether a noun or a verb, it proves so often that our finite minds can’t absorb what a term of communication entails.  Are we alike in that when you look up a particular word in a dictionary or thesaurus, you find yourself with a host of other words.  And sometimes, in my admission, I forget the original word I was looking for.

This particular morning a week or so ago, I was reading in my Bible Psalm 77, verse 14.  In our activity-addicted, fast-paste life, we often skim over thoughts and expressions without pausing to park our minds on any particular phrase.  This verse, especially the last few words (God Who does wonders) wouldn’t allow me to move on in my reading.

It didn’t take me long to look up the word WONDERS.  Here’s what I found in my

Websters dictionary: 

Wonders:  a cause of astonishment or admiration, a feeling of awe a sense of surprise, amazement caused by something beautiful, unexpected or inexplicable. 

Biblical perspective:  supernatural event, a divine sign or the emotional state of awe and astonishment in response to God’s power.  It describes both the awe-inspiring works of God and the human reaction of being amazed by His presence.

Here’s an opening question for those who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ and read His Word, the Bible, regularly.  When was the last time you were “in awe” of what you just read?  Don’t we often think to ourselves, “I’ve read this many times before,” and continue in break-neck speed finishing the paragraph or chapter at hand.

“YOU ARE THE GOD WHO DOES WONDERS.”  There were stop signs all over this sentence.  And, proclaiming my ignorance, I wanted to see what “wonders” meant.  I was in the pause of my life at this early hour of the morning.  I had a number of errands to run that day…. but all would have to “wait” in line, after listening to God through His Word.

This very personal God desires to make His ways and presence known to each of us if we “seek Him” with all our heart. 

Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Psalm 119:2 “Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.”

There are many verses about “seeking Him,” but this isn’t just having a quick read, close the book and then on with our day.  I’m getting to love the phrase PAUSE….

After reading and thinking about what it means to “wonder,” it was as though that word wouldn’t exit my thoughts.

I began running a few errands and my last stop of the day was at our local Costco store.  For those of you reading this story and are not familiar with that store; it’s a huge warehouse of food items, pharmacy and untold miscellaneous items for homes, gardens and the like.

One of my favorite places to pause in life is the ladies’ restroom.  You men may not comprehend this, I realize.  It’s not just a place for needful pausing, freshening up makeup, powdering our noses and chatting with friends.  It’s a “room to rest for ladies who wish to be engaged in a variety of activities.”  That may contribute to the well-used phrase when women are together, they may ask another gal to join them in their journey to the nearest ladies’ room.  Men, I realize this will not make sense to you…it’s a “lady’s thing.

Exiting one of the five feet by three feet stalls, I went over to what looked like a cattle stall with fixtures for soap and water and a large mirror above.  Again, to show my ignorance, about a year prior, Costco had just installed this new “trough” for washing your hands.  It was then that I learned the techniques for washing up.

The soap container was obvious.  I lathered up really well and then attempted “just the right spot” to ignite the stream of water.   Alas, nothing was working.  My hand was full of suds, but no water.  I thought to myself, “how difficult can this be?”  A fellow female traveller gently shared some critical information.   My hands were not in “just the right spot or angle” for the water to come forth.

I thought to myself, I hope “Candid Camera” isn’t on the scene to see how many minutes it takes for a woman to locate just the right area for water.   I thanked this woman profusely.  We both had a chuckle from it….at my expense.  But I was grateful.

My experience some time ago came in handy this particular day.  I washed my hands and now was on the “rinse-cycle” of my hand-washing career.  It was AT THIS MOMENT, a woman appeared next to me.  She looked at the gadgets before her and seemed to have no awareness of what to do next.

That’s when it happened!  It was as though God came near and softly and said to me, “Help her find the soap and show her what to do.”  For just a few seconds, it felt like “time stood still” and I was prompted to help this woman.

Right now, you may be thinking, that’s odd, and “why would you be attributing all this to God speaking to you?”  He’s a personal God and interested in EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LIVES.

Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly (those who belong to Him).  He DELIGHTS in EVERY DETAIL OF THEIR LIVES.”

For some reason, this lady next to me found it a difficult adventure in utilizing the facilities.  I softly pointed out where to place her hands.  She lit up like a lantern, and by the time she discovered the specific spot for the water faucet, she broke out in smiles.

As I was drying my hands, I shared that I understood her plight because a year ago, I was in the same quandary.

God has His kids everywhere to notice and

assist others in the challenges of life, doesn’t He!

But this isn’t the end of the story.  For you see, God made me “quietly aware of her need.”  God doesn’t need to shout to get our attention.  Right after I left the room, the impact of what just took place made a lasting impression on me.  I couldn’t get the tiny details out of my mind.  It was such a quiet, gentle nudging….as though everything was in s l o w –  m o t i o n.

When I got home, I was reminded of a verse in 1 Kings 19:11,12:

“Go out and stand before Me on the mountain,” the Lord told him.  And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain.  It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake.  And after the earthquake there was a fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a “gentle whisper.”  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”     (Then the Lord continued His conversation with Elijah). 

What struck me here was what had taken place in the ladies’ restroom at Costco.  God was making Himself known to my heart at that moment and inviting me to join Him in helping the woman next to me.

It wasn’t “earth-shattering,” but ever-so-gently and personally.

“Whoever is faithful with very little

will also be faithful with much.”

Luke 16:10 Let’s be available and alert for the LITTLE THINGS, the LITTLE WAYS we can be Jesus, with skin on, helping others.