When someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and you are willing.

There's someone I know who is in deep trouble. 

Someone who needs help, but isn't asking. Like a large hole in an airplane where the pressure is pulling everything and everyone with it...is the kind of trouble where someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and I am willing.

As a matter of fact, I am more than willing. I strongly desire to see this person changed so much so that it has cost me emotional pain, but I won't give up. It is worth it because trusting and living in relationship with God is worth it...to see God move...to see this someone's anger and pride lessened with joy and humility instead ignites determination down to my core.

As Moses interceded for the Israelites when they sinned greatly against the Lord (Exodus 32:30-32 NIV), I intercede daily for this person. Mostly, I pray for a changed heart. I am not Jesus, the one who atoned our sins...I cannot save this person from their trouble. 

I can only beg God to give this individual an undivided heart and put a spirit in him; remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh-Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

   image borrowed from http://www.jacksmithprophecy.org

Celebrating victory, when you need a victory...waiting.

She had a placenta tear and bleeding and trauma. Her baby and her in jeopardy. And I prayed almost every day and sometimes twice a day. I prayed for hope, healing, and for protection. A few weeks later,victory: 7cm to 5cm and then the tear gone! A few weeks more...no bleeding. No danger. And my heart is bursting with praise and joy and I want to shout to the world that the Lord hears us. That sometimes he truly DOES heal! That life isn't all about trials. We have triumphs too!

Somehow, even in my joy in this miracle for my friend, I am finding joy in a healing that hasn't occurred. Well, maybe not yet. See, I am waiting for healing for my hubby. I am at the point of begging for mercy, for answers, to not feel lost. We want to quit playing Russian Roulette with his health. It is hard to watch my spouse suffer with headaches, nausea and other discomforts and not know what God is doing, but I still have joy in what God is doing.
   As Eileen Pollinger says in her book, Building Christian Discipline...we look forward expectantly that God will do something. We are holding back from solving the problem ourselves...we don't have a solution anyways.
We are at our weakest: waiting for God to move.  We have done some research and seen doctors with no real hope in those systems. We've talked to friends with similar symptoms and seen God use them.
Perhaps it is wheat intolerance? Some other allergy? We can only ponder and wonder in our waiting.

We are available and ready for when the answer comes and it might not be the answer we hope for, but I feel closer to my husband more than ever. I am exercising and joyfully fulfilling my helpmate role. This is good, so good for our marriage. 

We need a victory and it will come, but oh how hard waiting is, huh?

Your turn: What victory are you celebrating, what victory do you need and are waiting for?