Apr 08
Today’s Truth
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23
Friend to Friend
I stared at the pile of papers, unsure for the first time about how to complete them. It was the middle school registration packet for my oldest son Ethan. I wasn’t sure how to fill out a few blanks. It all seemed so much more complicated than elementary school.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
I had faith this verse even applied to middle schoolers.
Like in the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, I decided to “phone-a-friend” for help. Not just any friend…my middle school counselor friend.
You see, just a few months before deciding on where Ethan would go to middle school, we joined a small group at church. There we made a new friend who just happened to be a counselor at Ethan’s new school.
Coincidence? I don’t think so. My friend told me exactly what to do and even arranged for me to meet my son’s advisor. As I left that middle school office fully assured, I was reminded once again that God is always one step ahead. He had orchestrated meeting my counselor friend just before we needed her!
When we enter a new phase and stage of life, we can be confident that God goes before us. If you’re starting a new job next week, God knows exactly where your desk will be and which people you will need to meet.
If you’re saying goodbye to a friend or having trouble with a loved one, God knows how to get you through the rough spots and bring you comfort.
He directs the steps of the godly. It’s up to God to orchestrate your life. It’s up to you to be directed. It’s our job to simply follow and trust, but that can be hard when we want control and security.
I’ve seen the bumper sticker that reads, “God is my co-pilot.” Although I’m sure the writer was well intentioned, the slogan isn’t Scriptural. God doesn’t want to be a co-pilot. He wants to be the pilot. As long as you are navigating your life, God cannot direct you to His best.
The first commandment in Exodus 20:2-3 is “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.”
We belong to God. He is the Lord and the sole director of our lives. In the same way He rescued the Israelites out of slavery, He will rescue and redeem your life. Even if it seems like you’re walking through a wilderness right now, God is directing your every step. He delights in every detail of your life and will create a beautiful story that is worth telling. Keep trusting and walking. Don’t worry – He’s one step ahead of you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for leading my life and delighting in my way. I don’t always know what to do, but I’m so glad that You know. I trust You to direct my every step and ask You to give me wisdom today. May I rest in the confidence that You have everything under control.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What would the bumper sticker on your life say…”God is my pilot” or “God is my co-pilot”?
What’s one concern of your life you can turn over to God, asking Him to direct your steps?
More from the Girlfriends
If you are a mom or grandma, maybe you could use some guidance about your child or grandchild’s next stage of development.
Today’s devotion is from Arlene Pellicane and her book 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom will shed light on your parenting journey. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom has something for you – including insights from our very own Gwen Smith.
Thank you for this message. You see I am in the midst of signing my daughter up for middle school. I thought We had made a decision but another player came into the picture. Guide me O Lord to the right decision for my baby.
OOOH, Lord! Yes!!! This was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO timely. Thank you so much for this devotional. I’ve been going through lately and needed to be reminded again.
May the Lord guide your decision. How neat that you were able to relate very well to the middle school portion of this devotional!
I am actually having to let go of a dear friend. God is calling me deeper in intimacy with Him. Even though it hurts to say goodbye, I’m grateful for the time we did share. Most of all for a God who directs my steps. Thank you Father for never leaving my side!
Please pray for me and my family. My husband and I were betrayed by our best friends, lies and rumors were spread, trust was broken, hearts were hurt. It was such a deep and ugly betrayal against my husband but I’m the one harboring hate in my heart against these people. I’m a kind loving person, I won’t even let my own children use the word hate because it’s such a harsh word, yet like a true hypocrite I HATE these people. Please pray that I can forgive them and move on.
Thank you and God Bless
Kate,
I’ve been where you are where our very dear friends betrayed us as well. My husband does not keep grudges but I do and I was deeply hurt and betrayed. The Lord guided me through forgiveness. Forgiveness is a choice not something that we feel, you can choose to forgive and still have the same feelings of hurt and hate but as you forgive, every time you think about them, and pray for the people you believed were your friends little by little you will stop hating them and you will start truly loving them like God loves us. I know it’s hard to believe and if someone had told me this in the midst of my hurt I would have told them it’s impossible but I experienced this myself so I know it’s true. With God all things are possible.
May the Lord give you grace to forgive. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. It can be a daily cry for help. You don’t have to reconcile if they are not willing, but you would do yourself well to forgive and let go.
I AM STRUGGLING ON FOR GIVING MY FAMILY. THEY ALL TALKED AND TEXT ABOUT ME WHEN I WAS DEPRESSED. I WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL AND WAS RELEASED (NOT KNOWING WHAT KIND OF HOSPITAL IT WAS) AND MY FAMILY LIED TO ME AND PUT ME BACK IN THAT HORRIBLE PLACE. I WAS LOCKED UP FOR A MONTH. IT WAS THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME IN MY LIFE. I AM A GOOD WIFE,MOM,GRANDMA & DAUGHTER ETC. I HAD VERY FEW VISITORS FOR SUPPORT AND MY HEART IS BROKEN. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO LET THE LORD GUIDE ME DAILY TO FORGIVING ALL OF THEM.
Praying for you Nancy that God will help you to forgive your family. I have had issues with my family as well. It’s hard when those who should love and support you the most do the opposite. I pray God gives you the wisdom so that you can forgive but also protect your heart from future hurt. Even family can become a toxic substance in our lives and cause us to question God and how He sees us. You need to be able to set up boundaries if needed and put Jesus first. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we allow people to continue to abuse us. Praying for you Nancy. Keep your eyes on Jesus who is the only one that can help us finish this race well.
Nancy, it broke my heart to read your message regarding your hospital stay and not having your family support you through such a rough time. I to suffer from Depression, I have never been hospitalized but my 18 year old daughter has been hospitalized twice for overdosing. I was there to support her every step of the way – but she struggles with her relationship with GOD due to me and her dad divorcing 4 years ago.
I want to reassure you this….IN CASE NON ONE TOLD YOU TODAY:
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL
YOU’RE LOVED
YOU’RE NEEDED
YOU’RE ALIVE FOR A REASON
YOU’RE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK
YOU’RE GONNA GET THROUGH THIS
GOD IS GLAD YOU ARE ALIVE AND SO AM I
AND DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
AND NANCY REMEMBER “GOD IS LIGHT IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL” 1 JOHN 1:5
YOUR VISITOR IN THE HOSPITAL WAS GOD STANDING BY YOUR SIDE AND CARRYING YOU! YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT WERE NOT THERE – DO DESERVE YOUR FORGIVENESS, BECAUSE OF ALL THE SINS WE COMMIT EVERY DAY AND OUR AWESOME GOD FORGIVES US!
Thank you for this devotion. No I do not have children. This devotional spoke 2 me anyway. I’ve been dealing with break-ins @ my apt. 1 2day – stolen, Danny Gokey Christmas CD & a bra. Now the CD is not even 2 weeks old yet. Earlier in the summer, Corelleware plates, strainer, etc. I have a very strong faith & 4 that I thank my parents. Going 2 church every Sunday, attending church school. Belonging 2 choir from 4th grade thru Sr year. They wanted us 2 join adult choir but allowed us 2 start a high school age choir. I thank my friend, Pam, 4 telling about Girlfriends in God!
Sorry about the break ins! I’m glad the devotional connected with you – we have the same themes of God’s provision and help, no matter if we are married, single, with children, or without!
I have been battling so many work related issues. Working for a non-profit, no kill animal shelter is a feat in its own, but dealing with the management issues and this drama is driving me crazy. Please pray for me! I want God to be 110% my pilot, and I completely agree that he is ONE step ahead but it just seems like the best option is put in my 2 weeks and quit this job. There are plenty of clinics looking to hire technicians. I would like to also request prayer for our leadership and management team. Everyone wants to be the boss, telling others what to do and it’s just like a corporate company, I want to stay as far away from those dictatorship like run businesses because they are all about the money and do not care about our ONE mission: THE ANIMALS! Please sisters in Christ pray for this young christian girl and my future with this organization, I don’t know how much longer I can take. I know God has perfect timing but waiting is not something Im good at or like to do.
I read this a little belated but I know that was not a mistake. Needed this today very much.