We are so thrilled to have a lovely guest with us today!
Kelli from More Bang for your Bucks isn’t only one of our incredible sponsors here at the fence, she has also become a very special friend to us as well. She has a wonderful new series going on at her blog right now and you can read more about it at the end of this post.
Now, let’s here what Kelli has to share with us today!
A story of obedience, and unfortunately, a story of disobedience
There have been times in my life that I have clearly felt God speak to me to do something, and I obeyed. The peace and freedom that come by doing that are truly indescribable.
My son was born with a liver disease, and we spent lots of time his first 15 months in the hospital. Because our stays were almost always longer than a week, we usually had to do laundry in the hospital. One day, I was coming back to our room after completing a load. I pressed the “12” button, where my small son and husband awaited me in the hospital room.
However, the elevator kept going down, down, passing 12 on its way. I ended up on floor 3. This floor contains the gift shops, as well as the food court. I decided I might as well take a look in the gift shop while I was there. However, I glanced over to the surgery waiting area, which is also on this floor. I know that area well; we spent 9 hours (which felt like 3 years) there when my son was only 7 weeks old.
 |
| Landon shortly before his surgery |
There was one lone lady sitting in that area, which is uncommon for such a large children’s hospital. She was crying. I felt God saying, “Go. Talk to her.” I then knew why my elevator had missed the floor I selected. Pretty sure the woman would think I was crazy, I headed over.
She was from a different country, and at first it seemed as though I would not be able to communicate with her. But then I told her that I, too had been in her position only a year before and asked if I could pray with her. She cried even more and said yes, and she and I, women from an uncommon land but with a very common love for our children, shared our hearts with the Lord.
 |
| {source} |
She smiled as I left and I, I felt as though I was floating on air the rest of the day. I couldn’t wait to share with my husband what had happened. I didn’t do much at all, but to know God was able to use me was incredible.
But. I wish I could say that every time God spoke to me I was obedient. This sadly is not the case.
When we still lived in our small hometown, there was a man who worked at a pizza place. I knew who he was because I used to work at the bank and would see him there, and because, well, it was a small town. One night, my family was shopping for groceries and ran into this man.
My children were very small at the time, and he went on and on how cute they were, and the kids were smiling at him and interacting with him. I felt God saying, “Invite him to dinner. He’s lonely.”
 |
| {source} |
Well, we were busy. I had two children under the age of two, was working part time, my husband was the youth minister at our church and I just felt I couldn’t do anything else. Plus, even though I knew who he was, I didn’t know much about him. Fear of the unknown, and fear of giving up some of my time, kept me from obedience. So I pushed the thought to the back of my mind, telling myself that when we saw him again (it was bound to happen!), I would invite him then.
There wasn’t a next time.
I can’t remember the exact details, but very shortly after this man took his own life. The devastation I felt for this man was real, and I was heartbroken that I had disobeyed God.
I still think of this man from time to time, the loneliness he must have felt, that no one cared. I don’t know all of his circumstances, but I do know that I disobeyed God because of fear. Now, each time God tells me to do something, this instance serves as a reminder that His way is always best, even if I am fearful, busy, tired, don’t really know what I’m doing, it doesn’t make sense, I don’t have the money, or the myriad of other excuses my mind can conjure up.
Ladies, next time God asks you to do something and you are filled with fear, remember this:
That certainly does take a lot of courage to share such a personal moment. But THANK YOU for being so brave. I’ve had moments where I’ve shied away from similar things…but, you’re so right, perfect love drives out fear.
Thank you, lovely girls, for sharing this story with us.
Thank you!
Sarahx
Thank you Sarah for your kind words.
Wow! What a message. God bless her for sharing this with all of us. I know that I have ignored those promptings at different times in my life and wondered later if I should have done what I felt compelled to do at the time. She certainly brought that home. GREAT guest post. xo Diana
Diana thank you so much for your encouragement. May we all pray for love instead of fear!
I love your Simply Sunday installments, girls. They’re always so thought provoking and truly make you think, which is what we all need! Thanks, sweet friends.
I have followed your blog for a while now and I love your Simply Sunday posts. This really touched my heart. After 30 years of marriage my husband got up and walked out..just left. Never said goodbye to our teenage children, and he took all of the money with him. Had it not been for total strangers looking over at me and taking a risk to pray or just to talk, I do not think I would have made it through the last year.
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear about this. I can’t imagine your pain. Praise God that you have people to love on you. I will keep you in my prayers.
Oh, Nancy.
I’m so sorry.
I hurt for you. I pray that you will be able to forgive him, and know that the Lord almighty is our husband!!
He is the best one there is.
I will be lifting you up to God…
HUGS!
~me
THIS POST WAS BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND SAD. THANKS FOR SHARING. SMILES TO YOU,SUSIE(She Junks)
Thanks Susie. I hope that by sharing other people can avoid my mistakes.
What a touching persona story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Stacy
Thank you for sharing this! It takes a lot of courage to put your heart out there for the whole world to see! I’m heading over to Kelli’s blog now!
Lisa, thank you for your sweet words. Every time I remember this story, it humbles me and I only hope it serves to remind someone else not to do the same!
Your stories were both heartwarming and sad in so many ways. We have become a society of fear, apathy, and crowding our lives with so many things/activities that we do not take the time to look and listen to others. It only takes a moment to make someone feel better or console them in their moment of desperation..as you did for the person in the hospital.
Thank you for sharing these stories.
Shirley, you are so right. It seems as if many people prefer to live in their own bubble, but I think most people really are lonely. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Your stories really gave me pause. We should always trust in the Lord, but there are times when it just seems so difficult. Thank-you for sharing.
Yes, and I don’t know why I choose to ignore him sometimes when I know he is ALWAYS good. Thanks for reading.
Oh, how I loved this post!!!!
Thank you for the reminder to not only listen, but to obey.
Today, God asked me to do something, and I didn’t obey.
Sigh.
I hope I get another chance.
HUGS!
Love and blessings and peace to you!
~me
What a great post, gave me goosebumps. Thank you for the very important message.
What a very convicting post this morning. I have been in her shoes as well and KNEW that I was supposed to be acting on something in my heart but let fear stop me from doing the will of God. I didn’t have such intense consequences, but I still had them.
I’m so glad you shared this with us.
Great post. Only thing I can share now is I’m very choked up. Timing on it, and my elevator didn’t even have to pass my floor.
~Bliss~
In the spirit of this post, I’ll put myself out there for Nancy. There is a book called Runaway Husbands by Viki Stark that will answer the unanswered questions Nancy has about what happened to her. You can find it online by searching Runaway Husband on Google. ~ Maureen