Have you ever been caught in a conversation, either on the phone or in person, and asked a question that you couldn’t answer because you hadn’t been listening? In the world of multi-tasking, isn’t it easy to nod your head and continue to multi-task while someone is talking to you? Oh, my dear sistas, I stand guilty.

The art of listening is difficult at best. In James 1:19, it says, “Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” What wise words! If I would give 100 percent of my attention to listening rather than day dreaming or doing some unimportant task, my life would be much richer and easier.

This would have especially come in handy when I was raising Phillip and Monica. But I was too busy to sit down, look them in the eye, and ask them open-ended questions. My regret? I could have made their lives so much richer and easier, too.

Maybe I’m the only person who suffers from the need to be heard, rather than the woman who wants to listen. I want to be the wife who listens to her husband with empathy and love, the mother who listens to her children and understand exactly what they’re going through because I’ve been in the same situation; I want to be the grandmother who listens and offers advice and wisdom to her grandchildren; and I want to be the friend who listens without taking the entire conversation over.

But most of all I want to love unconditionally, listen to my loved ones, think before speaking (that’s a whole other blog), and be slow to anger. Can I get a big, “I’m with ya sister?”

Have you ever screened your telephone calls? Or not answered a door bell when you’ve suspected the person wanted to sell you something? Or walked the other way when you’ve seen someone you didn’t want to talk to at the grocery store?

I think we all have at one time or another. But lately I’ve been thinking a bit differently about these interactions. What if God was orchestrating a divine appointment? What if we had just the right words to comfort a friend, or to share the good news of Jesus, or to just listen to someone who needed to let off some steam?

I’ve never thought of myself as wise or a biblical scholar. I mean, surely God would choose someone other than me to use for his purposes. But in this past year as I’ve written this blog, I’ve noticed that God uses ordinary people just like me. I’ve had friends and family comfort me, encourage me, chastise me, and love me.

That’s how God works. He uses all of us just where we’re at. We don’t have to be perfect or a biblical powerhouse. We just have to be us. I can totally relate to 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

I’m so thankful that God shows no partiality and that he can use someone like me—and you.

It is exactly midnight, so I’m calling it a day and will post my video tomorrow.

Have you ever prayed for something and been disappointed with the result?

About three weeks ago I sent a short story to a mystery magazine. I knew it needed to be revised, but I didn’t want to invest any additional time to the project. So I sent it off and prayed that an editor would find my story interesting enough to help with the edits.

I think you can guess what happened next. My story was rejected and I felt dejected. I stewed about this for about two hours, asking God why? Didn’t He want me to be successful? Didn’t He give me the desire to write?

And then it hit me like a sledgehammer. I hadn’t given my best, so why should I expect God to give me his best?  Just because I know He has plans for me and wants to give me my hearts desire doesn’t mean I can be a slacker.

As God’s daughter, there is a higher expectation for me. Not only should I be a light in the world, but I should be a shining example of integrity and character.

I wanted the reward without doing my part. I was disappointed in myself. My disappointment with God eventually landed where it should–with me. Can anyone relate?

I look forward to my birthday every year, perhaps it’s because I tend to celebrate it for an entire month! But this year, my birthday feels different. I didn’t realize it was my birthday until two days ago. Maybe it’s because I’m retired and have free time, or maybe it’s because I’m getting older and the years that tick by don’t seem so important anymore.

I woke up this morning to my husband singing happy birthday, reading well wishes on Facebook from family and friends, and flowers being delivered to my door from Phillip and Noah. Quite a morning to start my special day!

But…I realized on my 50th birthday that I’m now past the midway point in my life. And with that realization came those nagging questions that want to crush my dreams and steal my joy. Questions like: “Is this all I’ve accomplished?” “Am I still relevant?” and “Do I still have anything to contribute?”

And this is when the warrior within me rises up and refuses to listen. I still have dreams that I want to see to fruition. I have skills and abilities that can be used in ways I never thought possible. There’s an entire younger generation that I can pour into.

God has made a few promises that I can claim as his adopted daughter.

• Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

• Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look therefore carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

• Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

• Psalm 20:6 says, “Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed.”

As my birthday comes to a close, I can remember that God has a plan and future for all of us, He is redeeming the time for all of us, and He’s given victory to all of us. And that, my dear sisters, is reason to celebrate!