I took a walk the other day. God blessed me with a walk was on the beach (yippee!!!). I inhaled; it was peace. I listened to the pounding of waves, the strength of his wind and the might of his strong-hitting waves. All was good.
I passed a woman. She sat in a camping chair pressed against the rolling waves, bible in her lap, head down with a bandana around it. As I saw her, something in me called to reach out to something in her. I almost felt as if there was something God wanted to say to her, but I hadn’t the faintest idea what, so I kept walking.
It wasn’t until about 100 feet away that something struck me. I suppose it was the word – “faithfulness.” I looked down at my little footmarks in the sand, leading forward. I decided they needed to do “a turnaround.” They needed to loop back. They needed to address something.
But what God? What am I supposed to say?
His nudge was: pray.
Feeling all happy that God has great ideas, I went over and asked my sister in Christ if she needed prayer. Her feeble head lifted up slowly from her phone and she said, “Yes, my husband is in the hospital with a heart condition and I need strength.”
Indeed. Of course she does. Of course God knew. He always does. He also knew this prayer time, as she stated, would be “just what she needed,” a “confirmation from God.”
I’ve been realizing the turnaround is powerful. Because for once, I’ve been doing it…
I made some ongoing rash judgments about people.
Turnaround: After much stomping of my feet, I apologized.
I was quick to respond when tiredness, hunger and overwhelming feelings conquered me. I normally brush my reactions aside.
Turnaround: I’ve been seeing truth for truth. These days, I’ve been humbling myself and saying sorry.
I forgot friends. I don’t want to get caught up in my world, but I do.
Turnaround: I’ve asked God to help face them (despite my shame).
To turnaround is to see God again. It’s to face him outside of the realm of shame, and let him welcome you to healing, whether it belongs to you or someone else.
Where do you need to turn around? Where are your foot marks in the sand headed? Your way? Or home, into God’s arms?
He never hurts children who’ve done bad. He welcomes you in. He’ll lead you to his better thing. He’ll nudge you with the words to speak. He’ll uncover the greatness of freedom in the error of your ways.
“Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:13)
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Loving this encouragement to turnaround. It applies so well in every area. This is the perfect reminder to turnaround because it’s never too late.
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This is so good, Kelly! I’m so glad you went back to talk to and pray for that woman. Yes, it’s never too late to turn around, to right our wrongs, return to God, live differently.
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These words make me so grateful that the opportunity for a turn around exists — Thanks be to God that He is “merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (because often, I am not!).
Kelly,
I’m so thankful we serve the God of the Turnaround. Glad you were wise enough to listen and heed the spirit’s call. I hate when I don’t and later live to regret it. Your are blessed to know the satisfaction of obedience. Praying you listen attentively for His direction today!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Thanks for encouraging us to be in tune with His tender whispers, Kelly. Moments like these are how we flesh out our faith and remember why we are here. Praying for this sweet woman and her husband today.
I love the imagery displayed here. I love the courage and faith it took to turnaround. God allows u-turns, yes He does. Finally I love that your turnaround ministered to a hurting soul that needed it.
I’d like to have some apologies offered to me, so many people will never admit to doing anything wrong.
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I so like the way you said this, “turn around.” How awesome it is that we serve a God of second chances.
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