Potty Prayers

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. — John 19:30 (NIV)

It’s been awhile since I’ve written. It bothers me that it’s been awhile since I’ve written. I have been doing stuff. Just not writing. When I told my husband I was going to start a devotional site, he just kinda shook his head. I asked if he thought it was a bad idea, to which he replied, “no, it’s just another thing you’re jumping to.” He knows me all too well. I have started many a project, thought up many ideas, and cannot name one thing I’ve finished. I’ll start “the next cool thing” but when I get in the middle of it, I either freeze or get distracted with another “the next cool thing.”

Throughout this month, in celebrating Easter, these 3 little words stood out for me — they ring in my ears. “It is finished.” It amazes me that Jesus finished everything He started. He did everything He was supposed to do according to His father’s will. Oh how I wish I could say the same thing! Not to feel accomplished, or to take credit for anything that is finished, but to just not live with the guilt of all the unfinished projects, the good intentions, the good ideas never worked on.

I went to a wonderful women’s conference this past weekend. One of the breakout sessions was on Perfectionism. I learned this is me. I’m so worried about doing it perfectly, or doing it as perfectly as I think it should be done, that often times I don’t even get started — or freeze right in the middle of a project. I’ve hated the wallpaper in my kitchen for the 10.5 years we’ve lived here. I’m worried about choosing the wrong color to paint. How crazy is that? It’s just paint. If I pick a color and don’t like it, I can paint over it. But it still feels like a huge hurdle to get over. Will this be yet another project I start and don’t finish?

Prayer: Lord, I know you are working on me. It’s a process. It’s going to be a long process. Help me to get over these little humps, so I can fully be what you desire for me. Help me to see that there is no wrong color for my kitchen; that it’s no big deal if I mess up; that the important thing is to just do it. Work through me and help me to be able to say “it is finished.”

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. — Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

I was talking with a friend yesterday who shared that the Holy Spirit has been nudging her about tithing. Most people detest talking about tithing and I, myself, have gone around and around with it. I have been a part of a church where I did not like nor agree with things the pastor was doing. I had a hard time giving my tithe, but God didn’t say bring it into the storehouse as long as you like the storehouse manager.

This is the only place in the Bible where God says to test Him. Some of His other commandments are just given as this is what we should do. Others are given and the results are not shared until we’ve taken that step of faith and followed what He said to do. This verse says to test God and see if He will not open the floodgates of Heaven. What have we got to lose? Have you ever purchased a lottery ticket? Give that money over to God and you truly will be blessed. That one dollar may not make you millions or get you a big fancy house. The times when I’ve tithed (and I should add with the right heart and attitude), I truly have been blessed. When I focus on how good God is, it’s easy to tithe and trust Him. When I focus on this world (and the bills coming in) it’s easy for fear to settle in and for me to try and squeeze that money a little tighter. No matter how hard I try to hold onto it though, it just slips right through my fingers.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for all the many blessings you continue to give me each and every day. Help me to focus on You in everything I do. Take the money I give to my church and bless it tenfold. Use it to bless others and show people who don’t know Jesus that He is the only way!