A story: The journals and the jail

“What are you going to do about sharing your journals with the women in jail?”

 

 

“Great question. I’ve been praying about that very thing.   The number of women varies from week to week. I don’t want to leave anybody out, but to be honest, right now I don’t know if I can afford to give that many away. I’m trusting God to work it out.”

Fast-forward four hours and thirty-four minutes later.

 

 

We dropped the boys at church and headed home to get the house and bathrooms presentable before hosting small group.  #keepinitreal

 

 

I received a text:

 

 

“Hello! Are you still ministering at the jail?”

 

 

“Yes, I am. I go a couple of times a month.”

 

 

“How many ladies do you see? Do they allow books? Like reading books?”

 

 

“Yes, books are allowed if bound with no staples and no spiral. This past week there were between 30-40 but usually 20ish.”

 

 

Still clueless. I couldn’t even see what God was about to do.

 

 

“If I bought them all your journal would that be something you could distribute and use them or give to them?”

 

 

I sent her this text because I couldn’t call her for all-the-squalling!!!!

 

I still didn’t believe what was happening.

 

Awestruck, I laid my phone down and walked to the kitchen & started wiping counters because that’s what I do when I don’t know what else to do, and there is an absence of chocolate.   After a nice conversation with myself, and the skepticism beginning to recede, I returned to the living room to check my phone. I wanted to be SURELY, sure what I had read was clear.

 

 

Upon checking my phone I discovered my mystery friend (who is actually not a mystery but has requested to remain nameless) had sent me a heartfelt explanation of how she had been relieved of her duties from her place of employment as of 2:30  THAT-VERY-DAY, was given her final paycheck and in short said, “This money belongs to The Lord..”

 

 

She went on to say that she had been sharing with her husband about the work I do at the jail and the release of my prayer journal.  She said she believed God was blessing the ministry and would love to bless the ladies in the jail with a gift.  Her husband said, “Great.”  And with that, he had to take a phone call as she scurried out the door to pick up their son from school.  From the car line she messaged me AND #forthelove if that’s not enough wind for your sail…. while in line waiting for her son, after messaging me and blessing my socks off, THEN she receives a call about a job interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL ON THE SAME DAY!!!!

 

 

Y’all tracking with me?!?!

 

 

Her words, “The Lord has smacked me upside the head, and I have seen his glory today.  You just tell me where to order the books or where to send a check!”

 

 

So I did, and then she and I shouted a little more glory back and forth at each other and then I asked her, ” Whom shall I say sent them?”

 

 

“Tell the girls The Lord sent them.  I don’t want any credit.”

 

 

And so,  I have the journals ready to take to the jail.  Humbled at the privilege to bless the socks off of the girls whom Jesus loves.

 

Isn’t God the best?  He is always at work.  Working His grand plans even through our doubt.  So thankful His plans prevail above our unbelief.

 

Oh how He loves us and lest we forget, I thought it best to document a few truths about this incident:

1. God is sovereign.
2. God is The God of details.
3. God hears.  He bends down and listens because
4. God cares.  He cares that my friend lost her job.  He cares about the girls in the jail who don’t believe they matter.  He cares about the prayers we barely know how to pray.
5. God is bigger than our doubt and is ready to bless the socks off of those who are willing to live sold out and surrendered for His honor and glory!
6. God blesses obedience.
7. God answers prayers.
8. Sometimes He says no, sometimes He says wait but glory-be!!! sometimes He says YES!! and sends it RUSH ORDER!!! because He is God and He can!

 

So what?

 

 

I pray this story about the journal and the jail encourages you to #PrayBig prayers, my friends.  I know many of you are hard-pressed on every side… Ready to throw in the towel.  KEEP PRAYING!  If you’re exhausted from the fight-PRAY ON to The God, who hears.  If you are experiencing intimacy with God in ways, you never have before PRAISE HIM and encourage someone in need!  We weren’t created to do this life alone!

 

#PrayBig dearest friends, because

When You #PrayBig Things Happen!

 

Much love and lots more and EXCITING THINGS I MUST TELL YOU~SOON!