GodStop Friday

I sure didn't want to do it. The video had just started and I was well into my lightening speed note taking as I always do when Beth teaches the Word of God. It was our last night and I wanted to just sit back and enjoy the last Word she would share on Stepping Up.

Then I heard Him.

"Bless them."

"I have, Lord, many times as we have met here. I've blessed them."

"Bless them tonight."

"Lord, you know I always pray for them before we leave our class. Tonight will be no different. I will bless them."

"Bless her."

"Bless who?"

"Her...and her...and her..."

"Huh?

"Bless each one of them...by name...individually...and personally."

"But God..."

"Don't 'but God' me. Bless them the way I'm telling you to do it."

"What if I can't remember anything about them to bless personally? What if my mind draws a blank and I can't even recall their name? You know, Lord, I have that tendency in my premenopausal state!"

"Are you using THAT old excuse again? You know, Moses tried that with me once -- well, not the premenopausal excuse -- but the one about not being smart enough or not having the right words to say or forgetting what to say. Do what I tell you to do and it will be alright! Trust Me!"

So as the DVD ended and we stood and got in our circle as we had done many times before, I stepped to the middle. As uncomfortable as anyone could be, I laid my hand on Aimee's shoulder, then Deanna, then Angie, then Jeri, then Robin, then Gigi, then Portia, then Candie, then Stacey, then Michelle, then Jan, then Betsy.

And I blessed them...

By name...

...individually...

...and personally...


And He brought to mind all of the wonderful things that I knew about each one of them and I began to ask Him to move in each and every situation. Some are having a baby soon. Some are homeschooling moms. Some are raising teenagers. Some are waiting for God's best in a mate. Some are sending loved ones to the mission field. All have a fiery passion for the Word and have blessed me in immeasurable ways over the past 7 weeks.

The prayer was not beautiful. But it sure felt good to obey Him for a change, instead of reasoning it away. I followed Him this time on this request and He was faithful!

Then the most wonderful thing happened!

I bent the knee and THEY BLESSED ME...

By name...

...individually...

...and personally...

...which I think was His intention all along.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed...Proverbs 11:25 The Message

Blessings,
Dori