What would God want me to do?

I ask “What would God want me to do.”

What a question to ask when the answer is as clear as the toes on my feet. Doing what God wants me to do is easy…if only I’d do it.  Sometimes, we can just “do” entirely too much.

Let me give you some context for all this.

Today, I made a quick, unplanned stop to my local beauty supply store.

I didn’t really need anything urgent.  I simply thought I just might be in the mood to shampoo my hair later in the day, so I picked up some styling mousse.

Truthfully, it was one of the few times I didn’t have my 10 year-old tagging along with me and I felt a little mommy freedom.

You moms know how we relish those kid-free moments when they happen.

It was nice to be untethered for a bit.  I was and it  put me in one of those “where can I go?” sort of moods.

With no real intention or resolution, I dashed into the store and grabbed any kind of mousse I could find.

No big deal.

Then, I headed straight to the register to check out. The girl behind it seemed distant; I could tell she didn’t want any interaction.

“How are you today?” I asked rifling through my handbag searching for my wallet.

I looked up and she was crying – actually crying. Right there.

My heart shattered into a million pieces for her.

I jumped into action (you know how we do) and reminded her God loved her and hadn’t forgotten her. We prayed.  She seemed embarrassed and apologized for the tears.

“There is nothing wrong with crying.  God made us to be able to cry”, I said.

As I chatted with her, I prayed to the Lord for guidance.

“Should I give her my number?”  I felt like the answer was no.

I got in my car and thought “Man, she needs my number”.

I sat there a moment. Thinking. 

All the way home, I wanted to turn the car around, return to the store to give her my number so I could help fix her problem or at least be there for her.

About that time, I decided to get the store’s number from the receipt so I could call her and give her my number.

Sort of knowing it wasn’t what God told me to do, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to block me if I was moving outside His plan.

Someone answered the phone.

Hmmm…It wasn’t her voice. I did remember she was the only person in the small store or seemed to be. 

“Did I just talk to you?  I asked. “I was wearing a red dress.”

The person on the other end responded with confusion and a bit of frustration “Huh?” No, I don’t think so.”

”Is there anyone else there?” I asked.

the response was a quick “No, why?”  I said ended the call and said “nevermind.”

I felt the Lord say “Teri.  I order your steps.  You know My voice.  You did what I wanted you to do in that moment.”

God doesn’t talk to me all the time, but when He does, I really do know His voice.  So, why was I confusing things?

Are you ready for a real gut laugh now?

You’re going to crack up at me and I don’t blame you one bit! It’s funny in a sad, pitiful way.

Soooo… I get all the way home and decide: “I’m going back to that store and give her my number”. #hardheaded

Even after the Lord told me I had done my part!

*Insert laughter*

I drive all the way back to the store, walk in and look around for the girl.

Guess what:  she wasn’t there.

I probably looked like a shoplifter casing the joint, because I was just wandering around searching for her.

The store clerk looked suspicious of me and I didn’t blame her.   In order to play it all off, I purchased an eye shadow pencil...

that I didn’t need…

that costs $6.00.

I felt God laughing all the way from heaven. 

I know He was shaking His head thinking “this girl is a mess.”

I’m sure I’m His biggest problem child.
Listening is not my superpower.

Have you ever done something similar?

Have you ever tried to take the reins and do more than you needed to do…because YOU wanted to do it?

Years ago, the Lord taught me I was capable of getting in His way when I act on my own accord. You can too.

Even with the best intentions, we can “spring into action” and get TOTALLY in the way of His perfect plans.

So many times, I’ve given strangers rides, money and even invited them into my home.

It was the right thing to do in those moments because He was leading me to do it.  However, with the girl at the store, I was acting completely in my own will. Doing the right thing…but, not according to His will.

The lesson I must  learn…
The truth of the matter is He doesn’t need any of us. 

God can crack open heaven to give people exactly what they need at any given moment.

No, He doesn’t need us to do anything or help Him figure anything out.  We’re just blessed that He can use us. Super blessed we are that He wants to use us. 

“What would God want me to do?”  That’s  the question I (and all of us) must ask before we act.

There you have it.  That’s my story of trying to do something in my own strength.  

Think how much time we would all save if we would just listen to Him and obey Him the first time?

Oh well.  At least I have some new eye makeup…and a fresh lesson in allowing God to order my steps.  

The next time I ask “What would God want me to do”…I’ll listen and obey.

It’s all good. Jeremiah 7:23 is for big things and little ones.

“but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.”

Thanks for reading.

I hope it made you chuckle.  If I did, leave me a comment. Also, be sure to subscribe and share with your friends. 🙂 It would mean a lot.

Who would have thought an eyeshadow pencil could teach me a life lesson?

Next time God tells me something, pray I listen. It would save a gallon of gas. :0