Friday, September 12, 2008

God Stop Friday

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My, now real life, siesta Patty hosts God Stop Friday each week. It's designed to be a post to document something God has done for you this week. I think of it kind of like a virtual Stone of Remembrance.

You know that last night we had a Bible study here at my house. It was such a sweet time. I knew almost from the point Carol asked me to lead, what it should be on. After a couple days of praying, God confirmed it.

I began to pray that God would bring only the women He wanted here. I would rather have 3 women who really want to seek Him than 15 who just want to chat and talk shopping. NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH TALKING SHOPPING, I just knew that this night wasn't going to be that type of fellowship.

So anyway, Carol calls me around 4:15 to say that it looked like it was only going to be the two of us plus Amy and possibly our friend Amanda. I was completely okay with that because as I said, I had asked God to bring who HE wanted. Was I disappointed that more ladies weren't coming? Yes. But I was trusting Him.

Carol and I hung up and I began to pray for one lady in particular. She's been on my mind all week long and I felt in my heart that she was supposed to be there.

I began to pray that God would move whatever mountain was keeping her from coming. Then I asked if she was to come, that He would work it out for her husband to come home earlier than normal and tell her to go ahead.

I sat out five plates, five forks and five glasses, not knowing who was going to show up.

Carol and Amy arrived, Amanda arrived and then in casual conversation Carol says that this other sweet lady was going to come.

I told them what I prayed and then Carol went on to tell us that our friend had called at the last minute to say that her husband came home a little early and told her to go to Bible study if she wanted to.

HELLO GOD!!!

He used her to remind me that YES! He hears and answers our prayers. Sometimes faster than others, but He does answer!

These five ladies blessed my socks off last night. We had a great time of fellowship and they made the Bible study come to life for me.

I will remember this particular Bible study as the one where I couldn't concentrate and felt SO inadequate...BUT I will treasure what God did between the five of us in my living room. He really is Alive and Active, we saw evidence of that Thursday evening.

14 comments:

Kate said...

Stephanie,

I'm so glad that God is using you and encouraging you and blessing you right where you are.

I'm sure it was a wonderful time of fellowship for you all. I do understand about getting a little deeper than shopping.

Kate

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad it went so well! Miss you! I'm so glad that I can keep up with you on here!
-Haley

Heather said...

This is AWESOME, Steph! I know you are an awesome bible study leader- God has confirmed that just by how He answered your prayers last night!

Patty said...

Steph,
I have been excited about your Bible study class ever since you emailed me and answered my question on the topic. I am with you about the number of attendees. Some of the sweetest classes I taught were those with 3 or 4 people in them.


I pray that God would answer a prayer for you that you have been praying about for awhile. :)

Have a great weekend and cheer our VOLS on!!!
Love Ya,
Patty

BethAnne said...

Wish I could have been there....we soooo should live next door to each other! You arent planning a move back to the Big Orange are ya?

Fran said...

Praise God!!! Don't you love those sweet moments of "yes!" with Him?!

Always praying for you. :)

Have a wonderful weekend.
Big hugs,
Fran

Anonymous said...

I love to document Gods stops..it seems the more i do..the more i see..HE is awesome, and loving HIM is what i am created for..

Love you Princess, sorry I have been so busy! I am trying to spend more time with my teen daughter..she makes me smile, and they grow up before you know it...but think and pray for you often!

God's girl said...

Oh Steph,
That is so great. God is so good.
Much love,
Angela

Leah Adams said...

Stephanie,

EVERY single time I teach or speak I feel majorly inadequate!! I'm so glad ya'll had a great evening. Isn't it just so cool the way the Lord shows up and is awesome!!

Leah

Teresa said...

Ahhh! A kiss from the King!
LOVE IT!
I love being reminded that we serve an AWESOME God!
blessings!
Teresa

Carol said...

It was AWESOME! God is Big. Very very BIG! Thanks for hosting such a sweet night. And NO you weren't distracted. You are anointed. It was wonderful.

Amy Wyatt said...

Thank you so much for hosting us. It was wonderful. You did a great job. Sorry if I seemed a little distracted... we've got a lot going on with Spencer. Just got home from the hospital last night. Please keep him in your prayers.
Amy

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

He is so alive in you!!!! Can I tell you one more time what a privilege it was to be in your presence. It so meant a lot to me!

Heather C said...

What a blessing! He surely does answer prayer... even specific ones. I love that!

What is the study about?