The Diverse Methods by Which God Speaks

It's February, only two weeks from when the groundhog declared we should expect six more weeks of winter. But look! Here I am on the lake kayaking! I am praising God for the beauty of His world and the mild weather in the South. I was discharged this week from Physical Therapy after six months of a terribly painful 'frozen shoulder'. The PT's instructions: "strengthen it now."

There is probably no better strengthening exercise for my shoulder than kayaking. I doubt there is a better strengthening exercise for my spirit either! Not another soul was on the lake. There was no wind, so it was completely silent. It was absolutely the peace and quiet I needed to have a long conversation with God. Several pressing issues are on my heart, and there is no place where I feel His presence more strongly than in the peace and quiet of nature.

Each stroke of the paddle and rhythmical splash of droplets of water cascading back to the lake chanted I am with you, I will never leave you, I will give you rest for your soul.

While kayaking, I kept a close watch on time. I didn't want to stress my shoulder and end up back on the disabled list, so I told myself I would do no more than an hour of paddling even if I still felt wonderful. It was hard to force myself to shore when my hour was up. My arms felt great, and the peace and utter silence save for the dip and splash of the paddles was immensely comforting.

As I pulled my kayak out of the water, a Kingfisher flew right by me. Ironically, there was a plaque right in front of me at the time with a picture and description of a Kingfisher. I paused and thought about that name: king * fisher.  Jesus is my king and He is always fishing for lost souls. I watched the Kingfisher skimming the water's surface, seeking fish.

When I came home, I wrote a few thousand more words on Book #3 of my Unlikely Friends series. This one is flowing out of me, and if I keep this pace up, should be done easily within a month. Usually life intervenes, and my writing gets tabled, but I have a clear plot and am totally enjoying submersing myself in this fictional world.

I have created a bizarre story, but some of the most engaging portions to write are those where the heroine, Leah, grapples with her nascent understanding of God. She asks questions that I realize I don't know the answers to. Then I pause in my writing to do a Bible study and research to find an answer for her. My own understanding of God is enriched by the struggles of my fictional character who is haltingly coming to faith.

I am always amazed at the methods by which God reveals Himself. On a quiet lake in the dips of a kayak paddle. In the musings of a novel's heroine. In a bird searching for fish who hide, attempting to elude him.

How blessed I am to hear His voice in so many wonderful ways!
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Job 12:7-10

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Psalm 145:5 

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Psalm 96:11-12

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy **************

God speaks even in the terrible, desperate times of our lives. In fact, it is then that I heard Him most clearly. I wrote a book about my experiences with God through the devastation of cancer. It is a book filled with joy and even laughter. It is brand new, and could use some reviews. I have been told that it is an encouragement to many going through difficult trials. Please find it HERE, share, and review! I would be very grateful.