The Word for 2013

Perhaps you've heard of naming each year of your life with one word or phrase that encapsulates what you hope for, expect, and seek. For example, I christened last year "Adventure," and it lived up to it! I took an exciting trip to visit friends, went out of my comfort zone more than once, applied and was accepted to Capernwray Bible School, took the 40 Day Challenge to show solidarity with the poor, finished my college studies, and took a journey of gratitude by counting 1,000 gifts.

To this year I give a new name: Discovery.

Droughts and Fasting

My first few days of the challenge have been interesting. I've tried some interesting new foods (the kind of things that my sponsored child in Ghana would eat), cut down on portion sizes for certain meals, and tried to focus on plainer/more natural/cheaper foods. In addition to the diet changes I've changed up my working habits somewhat. Instead of starting an evening of cleaning offices by turning on podcasts, I play soothing Gregorian chants and try to concentrate on prayer. I struggle with my thoughts constantly straying, but I feel better just for shutting off the constant barrage of information and letting myself think. 

Ideas happen to come to you when you think, and one idea that came to me recently concerned the drought that has been plaguing Northwest Arkansas (the whole Midwest, actually) for several months. Record high temperatures for weeks on end, no rainfall, the sun beating down like a hammer and cloudless skies laughing cruelly in our faces--it's been a time of testing. This summer has taught us several important things:

Praying for an Answer

Not all questions can be answered by Google, originally uploaded by jaygooby.

I almost didn't write this post. It's a leap of faith in itself. I'm putting out there on the internet that I trust God enough to believe His promises. And it's harder than it sounds.

I've got a decision to make, and I'm tired of weighing pros and cons. I've asked advice, I've mulled it over until my head aches, I've gnawed my lips and done the research and hemmed and hawed. Now it's time to come to a conclusion of the matter. I want to make the best decision, and even though God may not "care" what I do, He is also the only one who knows which path would bring me the most happiness, opportunity, fulfillment, etc. I really want to make the best decision, so why not try asking the omniscient God of the universe? I think I have the right:

 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 

Matthew 18:19-20

Anything they ask for? That's powerful. If Mom and Dad and I get together on this, apparently we should be able to get an answer. Here's another one:

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Psalm 37:4

I had a great conversation with an elderly neighbor who has been a man of God for decades. He shared some examples of times when he asked the Lord to answer a specific question (should we buy this house, etc.) and He answered loud and clear! Sometimes opportunities he couldn't have imagined popped up later and proved that he had indeed taken the right path.


He told me to get into a quiet place, ask my Father in Heaven a specific question (not, "What should I do?", more like "Yes or No to A and B?"), sit still and listen.

Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, LISTEN!