Jabez prayed, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border,” (1 Chronicles 4:10a).
Attending the Belong Tour this year was a total God-thing. World Vision was seeking volunteers for the event so I signed up way back in the summer when my weekend was wide open. Well duh, the boys fall schedule wouldn’t be out until the end of August. That’s beside the point, God worked it out and my husband managed just fine. I went with an open heart to what God needed me to hear. That’s not true; I was a tangled mess of nerves but this is not about me.
Once assigned to my spot, I was ready and waiting to hear from God. And Girl, did I hear Him! I heard Him in the voices that sang melodiously together praising Him, I heard Him in the voices of the speakers and in the voices of all the volunteers and especially in the attendees I met.
My assignment was to be available at the World Vision table when someone had questions and/or was ready to sponsor a child. During one of the breaks, two sisters came up to the table and the older one wanted to sponsor three children; one for each of her sisters children. This was to be their Christmas present. The younger sister was thrilled! The sisters were exuberant and filled with love for each other, and for God. Their backstory…the older sister is married and does not have children. Coming to the conference she knew World Vision would be there. She knew it was a step of faith. Her heart was filled with unequivocal love and out of obedience to His knocking on her heart; she asked for three children, ages 7, 10 and 12, the same as her niece and nephews. When they shared this story with me, their eyes rained and their hearts bled. I was in awe watching them and listening to them share about their lives. The bond between them was tight and their faith was strong. What a blessing to bear witness to a truly special moment. She had a desire for children and God enlarged the borders around her heart and blessed her indeed. He gave her three!
Do you have a prayer like Jabez? Are you asking for God’s blessing? Will you fervently and persistently ask God to bless you and to enlarge the borders around your heart?
Beautiful story of the love and blessings our Father is waiting to give his children who are faithful and obedient to his commands. The prayer of Jabez is so powerful – It reminds us that our God delights in giving us more than we dare to ask for – however, we do need to ask. I love the fact that you were blessed, along with the sisters, by witnessing and sharing in their joy.
Thanks for sharing Maria..well done!
Thanks for reading AND replying Linda! Trust in the Lord.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9New King James Version (NKJV)
Hmmm. Asking God to enlarge our borders. Hard to read that word and not think of the election. Another reminder that God is not focused on earthly borders like we are. His ways are so much higher, greater and beyond anything our little heads can imagine. I ask God to bless our country. To help us remember it is not about one election but the greater good of all. Thanks for enlightening Maria!!