I went for a walk the other night as the sun was setting. I choose to walk in the direction of the pink western sky, and then turned the corner, grateful for the time alone to think and pray. As I turned a corner again, my back to the sunset, I looked up and literally gasped out loud. The moon was rising above the horizon and was a spectacular sight. It was so bright and full (the eve of a full moon) and literally took my breath away.

The pictures really don’t do it justice.

In that moment, I wondered if there was anyone else on earth who was praising God for the beauty in the night sky. I sure couldn’t resist!

As I walked on, I passed our local arena as floods of people were exiting the building; kids running towards their vehicles, parents in tow. There seemed oblivious to the demonstration of God’s power and creativity above. The scene reminded me that if we don’t praise Him, the rocks will literally cry out. The mountains and the hills will burst into song and the fields will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12).

I take for granted that the sun continues to rise, the stars take their positions in the sky each night, and the moon keeps in its set course. They don’t simply take their places out of some cosmic coincidence; day after day, night after night. They do so because God tells them to. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life.

I often forget this. I neglect to give God praise for the incredible display He’s orchestrating in creation each day. The moon was an incredible reminder.

All of creation points to God and is glorifying Him, each element in its own way. I must do my part.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)

I’d no sooner posted those words yesterday about praising God in the storm, when He gave me an opportunity to do just that. My greatest prayer for this blog has been that I would never write what I don’t first experience, and God certainly was faithful to grant my request!

Yesterday, a situation in my place of work literally overwhelmed me to the point of tears. My emotions go the better of me and I felt completely overcome with loss. A few days ago, I felt certain that God had only good in mind for this same situation. I was confident, even though the future was (and still is) uncertain. And then, in a matter of twenty-four hours, my faith was shaken.

Spending time on my knees and with a few godly friends has brought me back to the right perspective. I’ve been reminded that I need to expect good things from God in everything, including this. He is the Giver of all good gifts and works all things together for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Just last week I was able to speak into a situation in a friend’s life and offer words of wisdom, but then when I’m in crisis, I’m not able to see things quite as clearly. My emotions blind me to the truth that God is still in control. Focusing on my circumstances instead of my God, makes the mountain seem immoveable. Focusing on the One who can move mountains, makes them crumble into the sea.

I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.
Psalm 142:2-3

He alone knows…

Take a few minutes to listen to this song. It spoke to me this morning, and I’ve played it countless times today.

[gigya width="300" height="60" src="http://www.myspaceplaylists.com/mc/trackplayer.swf" quality="high" flashvars="&embed_id=5222953" wmode="transparent" ]

Or you can view this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6suBrSFaiM

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

You may wonder why I’ve chosen ‘Expecting God’ as the title for this blog. These words have been reappearing in my journal in big block letters over the past few months:

LIVE WITH EXPECTANCY

or this variation…

WAIT EXPECTANTLY

Gradually I’ve come to the realization that when I choose to live with expectancy, God is more likely to show up. When I expect God, I’m more likely to see traces of Him in my life. On the other hand, when apathy characterizes my days, He’s still there, but I miss Him.

I believe our level of expectancy is directly related to the proportion in which He reveals Himself to us.

How much do you expect God to show up in your ordinary, everyday life?

I’ve started a new tradition. Each morning before we leave the house, my 4-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter and I sit down, hold hands, and pray together. In the beginning it was only me who prayed, then a few months ago my son agreed to try. Now both of them pray with their sweet little voices each morning before we go out the door.

My daughter’s prayer goes like this:

“Mommy at work. Daddy at work. Mason at school. Jaden at Jo-Anne’s house. Amen. In Jesus’ name.”

Translation:

“Dear God. Please be with Mommy at work, Daddy at work, Mason at school and Jaden at Jo-Anne’s house. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Then she promptly stands up and is ready to go.

My son’s prayers are much longer, and in fact are growing in length by the day. He seems to think length determines effectiveness. What strikes me most mornings is the phrases he uses; phrases I’ve never modeled in our prayer time. They are coming straight out of his creative little head. He’s prayed:

• “God please protect our city” (we live in a small town, but I’m sure God still understands)
• “Thank you for making our church where we can go to worship you.”
• “Thank you for all the moms and dads.”

And my very favourite…

• “God, help me not to be saucy today.”

I can say amen to that!

It thrills me to know that my kids are so much farther along in their relationship with God than I was at their age. They feel a freedom to talk to Him that I never felt until I was much older.

Do you know what I think? I think God hears and acts on their sweet little prayers even more so than He does with our long, elaborate, ‘Christianese’ ones.

Out of the mouths of babes.