I was packing for a short trip to the Keys when I heard the small voice of the Holy Spirit. Dan had asked me to go with him on a business trip and for the first time in years, we were getting away alone.
As soon as we got home from his business trip, our whole family would be on vacation for another 8 days. We were looking at almost 2 weeks together.
As I packed my things, I heard the clear prompting of the Holy Spirit to “just agree” with Dan.
Now, for most of my adult years, I’ve had to work very, very hard at re-training my tongue. On top of my natural tendency to sass, I’d been trained to argue for a living. After law school, I litigated for 8 years and I loved nothing more than winning an argument.
That might be great professionally but it’s not an asset in marriage. I had certainly mellowed over the years, but I was always pretty independent with a mind of my own. So I knew exactly what God was asking when He said to just agree with Dan.
I didn’t say anything to Dan but I stopped any kind of second-guessing, the picking apart, the let’s-do-it-this-way. Something unexpected happened on that trip. I relaxed. I wasn’t in charge. I wasn’t calling the shots. And I had shut down my guard.
When Dan wanted to stop for lunch at his favorite mom-and-pop in Little Havana, I said “Sure!” instead of suggesting Olive Garden. When he wanted to take a back road instead of the interstate, I didn’t say a thing, but just enjoyed the ride.
These were small decisions but it was a sweet taste of resting in Dan’s lead for that entire trip and not worrying one bit about the minutiae. I looked forward to this challenge of almost 2 weeks of happy agreement.
Only God knew that those days would be our last together.
With all of the chaos of Dan’s death, it was months later that I remembered how the Holy Spirit had prompted. “Just agree” had seemed rather random at the time, but isn’t that usually the way with God’s promptings? I could so easily have brushed it off. Instead, it’s a forever memory of a covenant completed.
Such abundance from responding to God’ small voice.
My one word for this year is RESPOND, which seems more fitting than OBEY because when I think of obeying, I think of following God’s rules, like the command to have no idols, to be honest, or to love my neighbor as I love myself. Absolutely we’re to obey; but this year, I’m focusing on something a bit more picky: responding to the small voice of the Holy Spirit.
It’s also more than hearing God. I accuse my children of selectively hearing me – responding when I call them for dinner but not so much when I call them for chores. Apparently, we hear selectively because we train ourselves to focus on what we’re interested in hearing.
I want to not only hear the Holy Spirit, but to respond. Part of that unnerves me because I wonder what God will ask or where He’ll lead. But most of it excites me because — what might God ask? And where might He lead?
And respond without hesitating. We may have no idea why God is directing us a certain way and we may never get to find out this side of heaven. But God’s direction is always best. God promises life abundant and I don’t want to get to heaven and see all that I missed because I didn’t have the guts to respond.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
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Oh Lisa … “respond” is a wonderful word! I found myself nodding several times as I read about the Holy Spirit’s instruction to you to “just agree” with Dan. I struggle with that myself, but also can cite situations when I obeyed and God blessed. Thank you for sharing this beautiful (and beautifully convicting) experience.
It is a treasured memory, for sure. So grateful God gave me inside knowledge of how much I’d treasure it.
Amen and Amen!!
Thanks again Lisa!
Rene’
Thank you, Rene. <3
Thanks for your articual Lisa 🙂
I schall listen to His voice 🙂
Amen
“These were small decisions but it was a sweet taste of resting in Dan’s lead for that entire trip and not worrying one bit about the minutiae. I looked forward to this challenge of almost 2 weeks of happy agreement.”
i love this line.
as a producer for a living, i am used to taking charge an planning planning planning.
and as a widow finally moving on with my life properly, i’m so thankful to god for sending me a new man to date. a man that is organized!
your post has reinforced to me that i should sit back, and enjoy it for what it is.
thank you for another thought provoking post!
Cherie, blessings as God leads you in this next chapter. I’m sure it’s a mix of emotions as you move forward.
Oh Lisa, what a great truth! “But God’s direction is always best.” You’re such a blessing to me!
Thank you, friend. You and your family are much on my mind and in my prayers. xo
Wow – this was beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Lisa.
I appreciate your commenting, Keilah.
I’ve certainly experienced times I didn’t listen to the whisper of God’s voice and realized later that I should have. When I do “hear” His whispers, I rejoice in knowing how much He loves me to show His care for me in those whispers! Thank you Lisa for the reminder to just agree!
What a great perspective Terri…that God loves us and takes us into his confidence.
Through the blubbering and tears, maybe I can squeak a little comment here. Oye, this post struck a nerve for some reason or another. Perhaps because I just had a small “discussion” with our lovely teen. With a deep breath ~ this resonated, Lisa. Oh girl, there is a gift in your fingers He has situated. I LOVED it. And sassiness? Really? I cannot even imagine you being sassy. Seriously. Love this post and am so thankful for the visit. I’m listening for His voice with the intent of following.
Me too, Kristi. And, lol, I’ve been on my best behavior with you. 😉
Love your OneWord for the year. Love this post. Love that you are sharing your story (stories) in spite of the road you are walking. Blessings on you and your family. #TellHisStory
Thank you, Karlene.
What a beautiful story. This is such a good word for marriage, for our relationship with God, for all relationships, really. Most of all I want to respond to God when He prompts me. So easy to turn a deaf ear. And your testimony about living your last days with Dan although you didn’t realize it at the time strike a chord with me today, friend. Thank you.
It was as if God allowed me to have one last sample of perfect union. Thank you, Betsy.
I love this, Lisa – for so many reasons. What a sweet gift God gave you in allowing you to surrender control and enjoy that trip. I can relate well. The beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit is one I can forget (because I like to win too!) And respond – such a great word! I’ve been trying to be better about this myself – picking up the phone when God puts a name on my heart, praying when a need comes to mind – being intentional and not just brushing off those whispers. Thanks for sharing your heart and wisdom with us today.
That’s it Tiffany…obeying the whispers of God.
Lisa,
What a beautiful reminder to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. It goes along with a bible study I’m doing that stresses the importance of listening to God’s whispers before the shouts of the world.
Thank you for sharing…..what a blessing to me and the others who read this.
Ooh, yes. So true to hear God more loudly than we hear anything else. Thank you, Mimi.
Ah! I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my face! Such a beautiful story… with a heartbreak… but it points to a wonderful, intentional, and involved God. Thank you for sharing and for the truth you spoke about marriage and God. 🙂
So grateful we serve a wonderful, intentional, involved God!
A while back I placed a note in my Bible that says, ‘respond vs. react.’ This is to remind me to change from reacting to situations as I have always done and to learn – by the prompting of Holy Spirit – to respond appropriately. Am I always successful? Not yet. But if we have no goal we will certainly never reach it. Thank you for posting this message.
That’s a great reminder, Nann.
Lisa, what a gift you have for sharing His wisdom and love. And what a gift He gave us in the Holy Spirit to prompt us (sure wish it was a shout vs a whisper)! I had no idea these were your last memories of Dan, but it fits your journey so perfectly. I’m praying for perfect unity with Dave, but it’s so hard since we both know how to argue, then can even flip sides! We strive to be as faithful as you are. Keep sharing. You are touching many. ?
I can only imagine the fun with 2 lawyers. 🙂 Thank you, Karen. I’m so very grateful I took the challenge.
Thank you, Lisa, for such a beautiful post. I love the clarity God gives at such random times!
God Bless!
Jennifer
Good to see you Jennifer. And yes, God’s voice can be razor clear!