Follow the Prompts

You will be prompted. Follow the prompts.

Have you ever made a phone call, only to have to press a whole lot of numbers and listen to a whole lot of recorded message to get to where you want to go? It can be so frustrating, and usually takes much longer than anticipated, but in order to get to where you need to be, follow the prompts. It may mean pressing the same number or repeating the same phrase over and over, but follow the prompts. Sometimes you even press the wrong number or get off course. Backtrack and follow the prompts.

If you know me, you know I have four beautiful children. I am a little young to have a 16 year old, but he is mine all the same. He and his sister have a mother, but I have the privilege of being the other mother, the Step Mother. (Thank you, Disney, for making that sound like such a horrible title.) I don't even call them my "step children" because it has such a negative connotation. They are mine by marriage. I don't pretend to be their Mother, but I do not treat them differently than my two biological children. They are mine and I love them as mine.

I have had to follow a lot of prompts as a step parent. . . as a parent in general. It's a humbling process. Last weekend, I was prompted to write some letters to my oldest son. He was leaving for a trip with the youth group and I decided to write him a letter to open each day he was gone. Each letter included Scripture and prayers I was praying for him each day he was away. He was going through some big decisions and I wanted to support and encourage him even when I couldn't be with him.

It required a lot of putting thoughts on paper (which I am trying to get better at), and one very late night. I wasn't sure what the letters were for, beyond encouragement. The return has been indescribable. The short version is that, through the letters, he has realized I really love him as my own. He had heard it, but was never able to fully grasp it. He now knows and understands that I love him and he has a "safe place" with me. I am so grateful for the prompt and grateful beyond words for how God moved.

This morning at church I felt a prompt. I saw someone I had not seen in a while. I had a prompting to let her know it was good to see her again. After rehearsing with the band, almost bowled her over with my hug. I was surprised at my own excitement over seeing her at church. Before she left, I made sure to tell her it was good seeing her. It really was.

She contacted me late this afternoon. The message at church today was about engaging in community with transparency, being open and accountable and taking up our cross with the support of others. I got to talk with two friends about holding each other accountable. I feel so blessed to have them in my life. This particular woman contacted me later in the afternoon and asked me today to be part of her life; as a friend and accountability partner. I was moved to tears. I am so excited to get to know her more and spend time with her. What a gift in my life. I am thankful for the prompt. The truth is, the other two friendships (now accountability partners) stemmed from following prompts, too.

God sends His Spirit to prompt or move us to action (2 Peter 1:21, Galatians 4:6, 2 Chronicles 12, 15, 20 and Acts 2:1-4 from The Message). Paul talks about being prompted by faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11). The devil prompts, too, just like he prompted Judas (John 13:2), so we should be on our guard. I believe, though, when we live by the Spirit, we are prompted by the Spirit. We can never know just how far the follow-through on a single prompt can take us.

It has been a humbling weekend. I played some good music at church the morning. It always feels good to know I am using my talents in the right way at the right place. It didn't matter.Today is about the value of friendship and accountability, not ability. My oldest son and I connect well on a musical level, too, but our deepest connection has come from the Bible and prayer, not ability.

Be alert. God prompts. Sometimes the prompts require great sacrifice. Other times, it seems there is little to give. Follow the prompts.