It’s Never Too Late: Finding Family Wholeness (part 2)
Catching up? This post is the second part of of our series “It’s Never Too Late!” building a lasting legacy. To see the first four steps, check out part 1 by clicking on It’s Never Too Late: Surrender
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK- continually- Matt. 7:7 Amp. (Shout out- Thanks for this Photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash)
Seek and Join God in What He’s Already Doing
Surrender is a necessary beginning point, but the next step for me is usually seeking and active listening. I don't need a 10-year master plan; I need to hear what God wants me to say or do (or not to say or do) and then follow His plan.
Matt. 7:7 Jesus actually tells us to continually ask, continually seek, and continually knock. I love the greek grammar implies continuous, habitual, or ongoing action. Our part is to not give up, throw in the towel or quit. We’re to continue asking, seeking, and knocking- fighting for our family health and wholeness.
ASK- “I don’t understand what’s going on- will you show me how to see things from Your perspective?” “What are You doing Lord?” (this is always my big question.) “How are You wanting to work in my family?” “Will you fix this please!?”
SEEK- Will You lead me into Your plan for our family? Will You show me what to do- or NOT do? Say or NOT to say? Please help us and show us how to fight this battle so our family can be whole, healthy, and connected- the way You dreamed family should be.
KNOCK- Lord, only You can open closed doors. Jesus, You even walked through locked doors when the disciples were afraid and hiding. Open the doors of our heart and walk through our locked down brokenness and bring love and peace to this family You created.
Action:
"Some people call it intuition; others feel it’s a prompting from God. Years ago, I asked the Lord to help me discern the difference between my own random thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit prompting me to act. Over time, I’ve learned that when an encouraging idea drops into my mind completely out of the blue with a strong, persistent urge, it’s usually the Lord leading me to take action."
I’m sure you’ve felt these nudges- a strong urge to check on a child, or a burden to pray for a situation. Recently I got a nudge to Venmo someone who’s child was in the hospital and I was surprised and blessed when I got a text back immediatly asking, “Wow! How did you know? We had no gas money until the next paycheck- What a gift that I’ll be able to fill up and go to the hospital!”
Again, not too long ago, I got a “feeling” to take someone a meal for the family- when I dropped it off, I was surprised/not surprised that the mom was sick and hadn’t been able to grocery shop or cook for the family.
Other times, it’s a strong urge to write a card of encouragement, send a quick text, or make a phone call.
I’m always amazed by how exhilarating these small actions turn out to be. More often than not, it becomes beautiful evidence that God was already at work, using a simple act of care to meet someone exactly where they were."
No Action-
Some people call it “waiting on God”. I call it excruciating! It’s so hard for me to not “do something” or “say something” - you know “just to help things along.” A little tweak here, a little comment there- I’m still learning how to keep my “hands off” if I don’t have a clear understanding, and let God do His work.
We may not know how to put together the “puzzles” in our lives- but God knows exactly where every piece belongs. He brings wholeness and completion to our unconnected pieces.
Have you ever worked on a 1000 piece puzzle? To me, it’s overhelming! One time, I got so frustrated because I couldn’t find the “right” piece. I wanted to force a piece in that almost fit, but instead, I walked away to take a break. When I came back later, my granddaughter had easily completed the difficult section.
I think that’s how God works sometimes- He’s waiting until we walk away- take our hands off the situation. Then He can fill in the difficult parts in ways only He can manage.
IF I’ve surrendered everyone and everything to the Lord AND I’ve been ASKING, SEEKING, and KNOCKING, AND actively listening to the Spirit- and I get no nudges or directions, then I must wait and choose silent trust. I must take my hands off the situation and give God room to do His plan.
“If our surrender can move the hand of God, imagine what our cooperation can do.”
― Andrena Sawyer
Family healing rarely comes from a 10-year master plan; it comes from daily, ongoing cooperation with the Holy Spirit. By actively listening for those quiet nudges to act—and finding the strength to remain silent when told to wait—we give God the space to walk through protective walls that we build when hurt or for Him to diffuse emotionally overcharged situations. Surrender sets us in motion, but it is our daily cooperation that allows His restoration to begin and take root.
Surrendering, Seeking, and Believing God is at work- Cindy