What is your “big ask?” A big ask is the dream your heart most desires. Your deepest longing. Sometimes, the only One who knows your big ask is God. But now and then, God asks us to wait for our big ask to come true. And sometimes He changes our heart’s desire altogether, or gives us a new dream. The Bible reminds us that God’s ways are higher than our ways….and often a whole lot messier!
We can help each other stand strong during our times of waiting. A friend recently referred to me as her prayer coach—but the truth is, we help each other. We encourage each other during times of weakness. Holding onto hope, especially when what we see with our natural eyes looks discouraging, can be a hard fight. It’s my prayer that something you read during our 30 Days of Hopeful will help you stand strong in your battle to believe.
Here are some practical tips I’ve discovered that help me hold onto hope, while waiting for my dream:
1. I meditate on my “watchwords.” A watchword is simply a verse or two of Scripture that speaks directly to my heart. It’s my practice to read a chapter of the Bible each day. I’ve discovered that the Holy Spirit has a way of illuminating a special watchword that gives the strength I need to keep my faith strong and my hope alive. I like to write the watchword in what I call my Chubby Book, a wire-bound booklet of 3×5 cards.
2. I keep my prayer list beside me while I fold the laundry. I list the items on the page next to my watchword. I then pray for each item on my list, sometimes pausing to reflect on the watchword. This practice has made laundry, a chore I used to loathe, into something I actually like. A miracle in itself!
3. I take my Chubby Book on my jog and pray for those on my list. My neighborhood has some steep hills. While going uphill, I pray for our friends suffering in difficult places. In some small way, this allows me to feel a solidarity with their suffering. Why not pray during your own exercise time? Or turn your daily walk into a “prayer walk.”
It doesn’t matter if we walk, run, or fold clothes. Our minutes matter to God. And minute-by-minute, as we hold onto our hope, our battle may be leading us to an eventual breakthrough in our big ask. To God be the Glory!
marilynn chadwick 