Tag: Life

Will He Not With These

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Life3 Comments

Today was an amazing day! I woke up this morning and saw the sun shining brightly outside my window. It was beckoning me to come out and play. So, I did just that. I went out and just basked in the sun for a while. As I gazed at the clear skies and white plains of snow, I realized that my car was buried under the aftereffects of the Snowmaggedon. I probably should get it started. Only, my battery was dead. When I finally charged it, the snow around my car didn’t let it budge, so, guess what? I had to shovel it. Let me just say – that was no easy task!!! Shoveling snow is hard work! By the time I got my car out and battery charged it was afternoon. Half my day was DONE! I was annoyed and frustrated!

That said, if the sun is shining, you know it’s going to be a good day. So, I texted my friend Katie and asked her if she wanted to go sledding. Let’s be real here though – who doesn’t want to go sledding? Equipped with our cookie sheets to use as sleds, we went to a hill near by to sled our way to pure, unadulterated joy!

For the past few weeks the Lord has been working on my heart to be intentional about building community here in Boone. While I’m usually a very friendly person, it is very hard for me to lay down roots without knowing for sure whether I will stay here or leave. But that’s a story for another day. Just know that choosing to go sledding with Katie was part of that building-community that I said the Lord was pushing me to do and I am so grateful for it. She’s pretty cool.

Once we got to the hill, we tried to sled with our cookie sheets but it didn’t get us too far. We watched all of these other people with their sleds. They seemed to have way more fun that we could ever have with our “equipment.” Then, all of a sudden, I heard someone call, “Rachel! Hey, Rachel!” I was a little taken aback that someone in Boone actually knew my name. Turns out, my friends and their kids were up on the same hill, sledding. We exchanged hellos and hugs and without Katie or me saying anything, my friends gave us their sleds and asked us to join them. So, the kids, Katie and I took turns sledding down the hill on actual sleds, as opposed to our makeshift cookie sheets. We zoomed down the hill by ourselves, we rolled down the hill together, we even went backwards, and oh, get this, I sledded my way down the hill and on to the road. It was so much fun! I didn’t care that my face was frozen. I didn’t care that my socks, in my shoes, were soaking wet. I didn’t care that my fingers were about to fall off. I was just enjoying myself!

When Katie and I finally got back into the car to come home, she said, “Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord cares about our smallest of desires?” She made a passing comment but that stayed in my heart. It’s true. I didn’t ask the Lord for a sled. Yet, He made sure we had the time of our lives. The chances of me getting off my couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon are close to zero, let alone me unexpectedly meeting friends who would allow us to use their sleds.

That made me wonder – if the Lord would care enough to fulfill a desire as tiny as going sledding, why do I doubt that He’d withhold my bigger desires – Desires to get a job, to make a living, to build a relationship, to invest in a home, to start a family? Why would I think that He would delay? You know, when things don’t go our way, or per our timing, it is so easy for us to just raise our hands and say, “Oh, God doesn’t care! If He did, this would’ve come through.” Or, “I’ve applied for so many jobs but not one of them is working out, why is God doing this to me? Does He not care?” Come on now! Seriously? Are we truly so foolish to think that the Lord doesn’t pay attention to our needs and desires? How long are we going to ask the Lord to prove Himself to us? Was the cross not enough? Is the fact that we have food, shade, clothing, family, friends, loved ones, not significantly sufficient to see His providence over our lives?

Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

The next time you feel like God’s not being fair to you, I encourage you to think about the times when you didn’t ask, but He gave; when you didn’t knock, but He opened the door; when you didn’t seek, but He revealed; when your deepest desires, minute as they may be, were fulfilled; when the waters were parted for you before today. I encourage you to remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! When He didn’t fail you in the past, rest assured, He will NOT fail you now!

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

 

 

I Know Who Goes Before Me

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

Today I did something that I never thought I’d do in my life – I drove through a snowstorm! As most of you have either heard, or are currently experiencing, the east coast is going through what some have titled the Snowmageddon or the Snowpocalypse.

Just like the many of us, I was subjected to a forced upper body workout this morning, by scrapping the snow and ice off my car. I turned the defroster and heat on and got my car all warmed up in time to head to work. I knew the weather was bad because it had snowed all night but surprisingly, the drive TO work was pretty easy. Sure I took longer than I usually do – it only makes sense to drive slowly in conditions like these – but I got there without any problems. I didn’t skid, waver, or anything like that. I got to work in one piece. And yes, I am super proud of myself!

As the day progressed, the storm kept getting worse. Around 3pm, Teresa my neighbor and co-worker called me and asked if I’d like to follow her home or just drive with her because of the intense weather. You see, we were expecting freezing rain. I thought about it and I told her I had to run a few errands before I got home. Wise woman that she is, she said she too needed to run some errands so she would drive ahead of me and I would follow. You know, just in case I got stuck on the road, she’d be close enough to help me (very thoughtful of her right? I agree!). Anyway, we got to the grocery store and started our drive back home.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this – it was an AWFUL drive! I had my defroster on and yet as I drove, the rain kept freezing my windshield. I used my wipers and for the most part it cleared the water out of my line of vision and I could drive. Until, the snow on my wipers froze and now even though they were moving, they didn’t clear out the rain from in front of my eyes. I drove as cautiously as I could but I just couldn’t see anything!!! My rear-windshield was completely frozen. There was a patch of ice on my windshield, exactly in my line of vision and I had to constantly adjust myself looking over that patch and under, at the road ahead, which now seemed so obscure. The rain was coming faster than I could clear it off. At this point, I’ll be honest with you, I got scared. Just a tad but scared all the same. All I could tell myself in that moment was – “Teresa is ahead of me. Teresa is going before me.” As I said that to myself, I turned off all distraction – radio, phone, air vents, and just kept my eyes on Teresa’s taillights. At this point they seemed blurry but I could still see them. So, I fixed my eyes firmly on her and I drove. I didn’t look at the car next to me. I didn’t care that I could not make out where my lane began and ended. I didn’t worry about the speed limit. I didn’t pay attention to the snow and ice pellets pummeling my car. All I cared about was Teresa. If she turned left, I turned left. If she put her right blinker on, I put my right blinker on. It didn’t matter what route Teresa was taking. I blindly followed Teresa and she brought me safely home.

This whole experience simply affirmed my convictions on where our focus should be in the midst of our storms and let’s be real – everybody has them! If you haven’t read my previous post titled “When the storms don’t cease,” you should take a moment to read it.

Finding myself in the center of uncertainty, I constantly keep asking where I’m headed. I want to know what the next steps are. Sometimes I want to be independent and do things on my own. After today’s experience, I have to ask myself – What if I just paid attention to the One Who goes before me? The Bible doesn’t mince words about God’s leading. It reminds us in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” In Isaiah 45:2, “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” In Deuteronomy 1:10, ‘The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”

I’m not sure what storm you find yourself in. May I be so bold as to suggest that it doesn’t matter so much as to where you’re headed, but who you are following that needs attention? In other words, the more important question is – Who goes before you? If the answer is Jesus, then His word already says that He will clear out the rough places for you (Isaiah 45:2). After all, He is not man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). As long as your eyes on the Savior, it doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of a storm. He will take you home safely.

I know who goes before me. I know who stands behind. Do you?

In closing I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

 

 

When The Storms Don’t Cease

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Future, Uncertainty1 Comment

Mentally close your eyes for a moment and imagine with me. You’ve had a long, hard day. It was a day that you don’t want to relive again. You just found out that your best friend lost his cousin to a gruesome murder – his head was chopped off! You want to comfort your friend but he doesn’t want you to. He just wants to work. You try to be a good buddy and go with him. You find out that the people who came to meet him are very demanding. They don’t care about your friend. They don’t want to leave him alone even for a few minutes. You feel like your faith went to trial. When the day finally ends, all you want to do is just get in to your boat and go home! Instead, you and your friends get caught in a violent storm. There isn’t a thing you can do to steady your boat. The winds and the waves seem to be rocking your already distraught world. The boat seems to be tipping over. The water is pouring in and you feel helpless. Broken. Tired. You just want all of this to end – NOW!

Suddenly you see a light. Surely it’s the coast guard coming to your rescue. Finally! As the light comes closer, you notice something. That’s not a coast guard. That’s a ghost! What the heck!!! Oh wait, that’s a person and he’s walking on water! How can this be? Still reeling from the shock, you see that the person walking on the water is actually your best friend who you left behind on the island. What is he doing here? How is he walking on water? What’s going? You just need to catch a breath and go to your friend, even if it means to walk on water. So, amidst the crazy storm, you call out to Him – “Jesus! If it’s really You, ask me to come to You.” Jesus agrees. You try to catch your balance and stand up. Your other friends think you are crazy but you don’t care. Jesus is here and all will be well! You step out of the boat despite your friends tugging at your shirt begging you not to be stupid but you somehow get out of their grip and take that step in faith. OMG! You’re walking on water! Your eyes are tightly fixed on Jesus and you’re walking toward Him. Small, easy strides. This is amazing! For a moment you forget about everything – the winds, the waves, the screaming friends, the rocking boat, everything! All you see is Jesus!

Until…

You take your eyes off of Jesus for a minute and your whole world comes crashing down! You notice the winds and the waves. You’re afraid the waters won’t hold you and that’s exactly what happens. You begin to sink. You don’t know what’s going on. Was it a mistake to step out of the boat? “Jesus!!!!!”

Storms. They’re not uncommon. They’re very much a part of your life as they are of mine. The scenario I asked you to envision is all too familiar to me. My greatest storm has been my lack of certainty. In less than a week, I will no longer be employed. While I have decided to stay on with Operation Christmas Child as a volunteer, I have doubts and fears of how I will sustain myself. That said, I have this sense of undeniable peace in the decision that I’ve made. I know that the Lord is not leading me back to India any time soon and I know that without a shadow of doubt. But I fear the uncertainty that comes with that understanding. For the most part, I’m at peace. I’m walking on the water, my eyes firmly fixed on my Lord, knowing full well that He is in control. Until… for but a split second I take my eyes off of Him and suddenly I am all too aware of the storm around me. My fears, failures, shortcomings, all gush at me with a force aimed specifically to make sure I drown. Struggling to keep my head above the water, I call out – Jesus!!!!!

When He finally gets me out, I ask myself, “What went wrong?” Jesus and I had this awesome thing going on. I was walking on water and my storm was nonexistent. Was it really though? I think that’s where most of us make a mistake. We assume that just because we are walking on the water our storms are silenced. May I propose that as long as our eyes are fixed on Jesus, He gives us the strength and the courage that we need to tread boldly on the stormy seas, toward Him? See, when our eyes are on Jesus, our storms won’t matter – Not because they don’t have power but because Jesus is more powerful; not because they don’t rock our world, but because Jesus is our anchor; not because they don’t scare the daylights out of us, but because Jesus is our comfort and strength! There’s an old song that I grew up singing, which I think is, apt for this post. It goes like this – “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of the earth will go STRANGELY DIM in the light of His glory and grace!”

When the storms of your life don’t cease, remember – as long as you keep your eyes on the Lord, He will teach you to walk amidst that storm with your head held high, until it’s time for Him to look at the winds and the waves and say to them – “peace be still.” And they WILL obey!

In closely I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

 

“Hon, I Picked Up The Laundry”

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

I have a problem with TV shows. I get hooked on to one and that’s it! I’ll watch that series till it’s done… Binge watching if you must! My current show is White Collar and I watch it on my friend’s Netflix account (thanks Alex Bothmann!). The show is about agent Peter Burke and his investigations as the head of the White Collar division of the FBI. Peter is married to Elizabeth.

This particular episode began with Peter putting on his jacket and noticing that his wife had already picked up the laundry. They have a brief argument about it because Peter was supposed to have picked it up, but he forgot. So, Elizabeth picked up the laundry. I found this scene a bit odd because Peter and Elizabeth are the kind of couple that never fights. I mean, they NEVER fight. So the idea that the scriptwriter would include an argument between this happy couple over ‘laundry’ was a little weird.

Anyway…

Fast forward to the middle of the episode when Peter’s investigation turns south, and he ends up being taken hostage. He’s placed in a prison cell with his hands cuffed. There’s no way for him to get out but he must. He looks at his surroundings but doesn’t find anything that will help him get his cuffs off. Until, he tugs at the corner of his jacket and he finds … you guessed it – the receipt for the laundry attached to it with a safety pin. He immediately gets the safety pin off of his coat and uses it to un-cuff himself. You can guess what would’ve happened after that.

This scene brought to memory the opening scene of the show when Elizabeth tells Peter, “Hon, I picked up the laundry.” While at the time I didn’t understand the importance of that scene, I realized that the scriptwriter foresaw the need for Peter to have access to a safety pin. The scriptwriter knew exactly what he was doing when he created that scene, because he was the one writing the story.

This right here was my “Aha!” moment! Just a day or two before I watched this episode, my friend and I were talking about how similar the story of our lives were, and that sometimes we look at it and laugh about how ridiculous it seems. So much of what we go through makes zero sense! There are experiences I live through without ever realizing why I had to live through them. Half of the time I haven’t a clue where my life is headed either. However, I consciously remind myself that even though I don’t understand, the Writer of my story knows exactly what He is doing. He foresees what experiences I need because He is writing my story… every single detail of it. He knows what to include and when… He understands how each of my trials and experiences will be used to shape me into the person He is carving me to be. As long as I know Who the Writer of my story is, I have no need to worry about how my story is going to unfold itself.

I know Who the Writer of my story is. Do you know yours?

In closing I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

 

Go On, Make Your Move!

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

What you are about to read now is a post that is like none I’ve ever written. However, it is some fun food for thought. I decided for a change to get past the intense-learning write-ups I usually do, and write about something that’s a little … what shall I say… funner!  

I don’t consider myself a very traditional person. Please don’t get me wrong. I love traditions but I adhere to them within reason. Ever since I came to the United States, I changed a lot – in a good way – I’ve become more independent than I’ve ever been, I love high protein-low carb foods, I cook, and all in all I’ve developed a very healthy lifestyle. So I think it’s safe to say that I’ve adapted to a more modern/contemporary style of living and thinking. However, one area that I have still stayed rigid about is my opinion of guys and their roles in a relationship. Yes, I said it!

I firmly believe that the guy must ask the girl out. He must take the first step. No exceptions! It doesn’t matter if he is shy, soft-spoken or downright oblivious… nope! If he is a guy, by default he must make the move! Why I have this idea in my head is beyond me but I do. The other day, I was teasing a friend about a guy that she claims she “doesn’t” like (but actually, she does). I also made sure I went out of my way to give her a hard time about doing something about how she feels. Yes, I found great joy in doing this! We had a super lengthy conversation about what she should do to get his attention, how she should engage in a rendezvous with this guy, and the likes (Yes, I give fantastic advise. If you need some, don’t hesitate to ask!).

This conversation got me thinking about, who should actually make the first move? Is there even a standard operating procedure? Granted I was telling my friend to get her act together when I, myself don’t adhere to it. So, I wanted to put an end to this confusion once and for all and see what the Bible says about it. As I was thinking about some of the good-Book’s love stories, I realized that EVE went to Adam – Not the other way around. RUTH went to Boaz – Not the other way around. And, REBEKAH went to Isaac. Now granted that in Eve’s case God brought her to Adam. In Ruth’s case, Naomi orchestrated the match, and in Rebekah’s case, Abraham’s servant played the wingman. Nonetheless, in all of these classic Biblical love stories, the WOMEN made the move… Not the men! So where did I get the idea that the man should approach the woman first?

My dear single lady-friends, if you like a guy, don’t hesitate to take the first step. If you think he’s cute, tell him. If you want to pursue a relationship, ask him. Life is too short to be hung up on ideas that we think are ideal. Until I am able to gather the courage to take my own advice, you be brave. Throw aside your inhibitions and go on, make your move!

In closing I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

Welcome 2016!

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

As I stand at the threshold of a brand new year, I am humbled as I reflect upon the year gone by. For me, 2015 has been more than trying – I’ve faced challenges I’d have never thought I’d meet but as I look back at the year, I’m grateful for the strength each of those challenges instilled in me. And forced me to lift up my head and keep my eyes on Christ Who to me, matters most.

I’m grateful for every single blessing I’ve received – Blessings so innumerable that even if I do try, I fail to name them all, but as I attempt to, leave me mesmerized and amazed at what the Lord has done.

I’m grateful for family, friends and loved ones… I’m grateful for friends who, even when deeply hurt and broken, have learned to move on in life… Grateful for those who dared to take that much needed step toward achieving their dreams… Grateful for friends who took that stepped out in faith and ventured out, away from what they call home, holding on to nothing but the surety of Christ’s everlasting presence with them.

I’m grateful for every fear, anxious thought and breakdown I’ve faced in 2015, as each of them reminded and convinced me of how much I need to cling to the Lord.

I’m grateful for every promise given, fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled, both in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.

I’m grateful for God’s mercies, which, as promised in the Bible, have been new EVERY morning. I’m grateful for His undying love and unconditional grace… Above all, I’m grateful for God’s great faithfulness in both my life and yours.

As we enter in to 2016, may I encourage us to remind ourselves that even though the year is new and everything it brings is new, we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever! Because He is constant, we can fearlessly step in to the unknown.

Happy New Year!

In closing I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

Bah-Humbug!

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, WorshipLeave a comment

If you know anything at all about me, you will know that I am a walking-talking Christmas cheerleader! I wait for Christmas all year long and as soon as November hits, much to the dismay of several people around me, I bring on the Christmas cheer. Christmas music, Christmas attire, planning the Christmas party… I even finish my Christmas shopping before anyone else. I remember when I was growing up, my mother, sister, me and some of our neighbors would spend our evenings making Christmas goodies. We’d spend the next morning distributing those very goodies to our teachers, friends, loved ones and even strangers. I’d go caroling late into the night with my youth group, heralding to the world the birth of our Savior. I’d spend every weekend participating in one Christmas program or another. I’d help my sister pack Christmas gifts for children in orphanages. I’d even leave random notes for my friends at work, bringing on the Christmas cheer.

When we spent Christmas at my uncle and aunt’s place, we’d stay up late nights decorating, munching on Christmas goodies, and chatting up a storm with my cousins. We’d re-live Christmases of the past, memories of childhood spent together, our hopes and dreams for the future… Christmas was so much more to me than just December 25th.

Until now.

This season marks 2yrs since I’ve been home for Christmas. I haven’t seen my sister since January 2014. I haven’t hugged my niece and my nephews and I haven’t hung out with my friends. I almost cringe at the thought of going to church because I get to sit by myself, while everyone else is sitting with his or her family or friends. During the regular part of the year, it doesn’t bother me because I know without a shadow of doubt that I am exactly where the Lord wants me. But during Christmas, when everyone talks about visiting his or her parents and siblings, it’s harder to see that. And definitely hearing Pere Como sing to me, “Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays,” surely does not make things easier. That said I am grateful for extended family and friends that the Lord has allowed me to spend this Christmas with. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss being home with my mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephews. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care that my whole family will be together – uncle, aunt, cousins – while I’m in a land that’s easily about 8,508 miles from them. I’d be lying if I said that I was looking forward to Christmas.

I woke up this morning dreading the idea of going to church because I’d be reminded of what I don’t have here. I’m not the kind of person who generally complains. If something doesn’t work, I shrug it off and move on with life. Usually, I remind myself of all that the Lord has blessed me with – friends I can now call family, a town that feels like home and a job that I am passionate about. Finally frustrated by my attitude toward this season, I watched Christmas movie after Christmas movie to see if I could bring on the cheer, like it was a switch that I could simply turn on. Needless to say that didn’t really work.

Until, I reflected on the true meaning of Christmas. You see, Christmas is not about decorating your home, baking goodies, or buying gifts for loved ones. It’s not about family traditions, childhood memories, or even – forgive me as I say this – about friends and family. No! Christmas is about Christ, and Christ alone. It is a time when we are reminded of the immeasurable love that God has for you and me, that He would send His one and only son in to this broken world, not just to fix it, but to restore it to Himself. It is a reminder that He saw us when even we didn’t see ourselves. It’s the assurance that because Jesus came in to this world to give His life up for broken people like you and me, and then rose up from the dead, defeating death once and for all, no matter how hopeless the world around us can seem, we will always have hope in Him.

Christmas is truly about just one thing – Christmas is about Jesus Christ, and for that reason alone, I will celebrate!

Merry Christmas!

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

Back to Square One

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

One thing that I absolutely love about Samaritan’s Purse is the time of devotions we have in the morning. There is something unexplainably wonderful about soaking the start of your day in prayer and adoration of the One who is the very foundation of the organization, and truly, our lives itself. We start every morning with 15mins of devotion time, followed by another 15mins of praying for each other’s needs – sharing one another’s burdens if you will. Today was no exception.

The day began with a very special speaker. I’ve heard her speak twice to date and both times she made sure she hit the nail on the head! Today, she shared with us from the book of Isaiah, quoting chapter 6, verse 8, where Isaiah responds to a call and says, “Here I am. Send me.” She went on to expound on identifying the call that the Lord places in our lives and our God-instilled need to pursue that call. She challenged us to look beyond our need to create a sense of understanding and logic, to where God would use us next. She reminded us to shrug off our sense of security in the here and now, and keep our eyes firmly planted on the One who sees the bigger picture. If need be, we should get out of our comfort zone in obedience to what the Lord is asking of us to do.

For the most part this message challenged me. However, it also did an extremely good job of freaking me out. I had this overwhelming sense of uncertainty just pour over me. And just like that I was all too aware, that I was completely unaware about where I would be a little over a month from now. If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you would know that my position with Operation Christmas Child ends on January 26, 2016. That’s exactly 42 days from today. Compared to my previous times of waiting, I know for a fact that this time, I’ve done so much better. I have sought after the Lord, instead of seeking after my future. I gave Him first place in my life, and He gave me an unexplainable sense of peace. In this particular season of waiting, He truly became my anchor and my support system. But today, as the speaker challenged us to go wherever the Lord is calling us, I stopped to think about where God was calling me. And I realized, I had no clue – None whatsoever! I don’t know where I’m headed from here. I am convinced that the Lord is not calling me back to India… well, not yet at least. All I know, is that I love Jesus, and I adore children, and I will do whatever I am able, to bring them both together. Right now it means to share my story of receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox in India in 1999, and encouraging more and more people to pack shoeboxes as a tangible way of following Jesus’ heart of bringing children to Him. But what after that? I was back to square one!

I went back to my desk this morning with almost an overwhelming sense of dejection and – what’s the word I’m looking for – helplessness! As I sat down to start my day, I lay my head in my hands and finally shed a tear. You’d be amazed what crying a little can do for your soul. I lifted my voice in prayer, asking the Lord to help me never doubt His faithfulness in my life. He has never let me down to date. There is no reason why He’d start now. I asked for faith to look beyond my limited vision. I wiped my tears, put my earphones in and began working.

Then, I heard Chris Tomlin sing sweetly into my ears – “You’re a good, good Father, it’s who You are. I am loved by You. It’s who I am. You are perfect in all of Your ways to us.” As I hummed along, I was reminded all over again that God is my Father, He has nothing short of the best in store for me. Even in times of uncertainty, especially in times of uncertainty, His goodness is undeniable. And for now, resting in that understanding is more than enough for me.

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

May I Pray for You?

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

You already know that I was in California this past weekend right? Well, if you read my last few blog posts you’d know that. I met some interesting people along the way. When you have a chance, you should read it. Here is where to find out about Matthew who I met on my flight from Texas to California. With a quick smile and a profound “Hi, I’m Matthew” this special man stole my heart!

On my way to California I wasn’t very tired so I entertained any conversation I could have with those around me. In fact, at times I initiated the conversation myself. Now on the return to Boone, NC it was a completely different story. I was in California for only the weekend and my schedule was extremely packed. On Saturday and Sunday alone I worked for about 20hrs so by the time I got on to my flight, I was exhausted to the T. I requested a window seat so I could lean my head against it and just sleep through the whole journey. However, that’s apparently NOT what the big Boss above intended!

Once I boarded my flight, I smiled at my neighbor, made my way to my seat and then just gazed outside the window. I tried to get some reading done and then attempted to sleep. However, I had this unexplainable stirring of the spirit if you must, to have a conversation with her at a time when I just didn’t want to talk to anybody. I hoped if I ignored the feeling long enough, it would go away and I would be saved from human interaction! I know I sound like an anti-social entity right now but in my defense, I spent the entire weekend being surrounded by a lot of people and I just desperately needed some alone time. Nonetheless, I could not shake-off this insistent prompting, which eventually became clear to me, was from the Lord. So, I relented. I mean, she seemed nice enough.

Turns out, she was nicer than I thought. We hit it off really fast and we chatted up a storm – not literally… when you’re flying, that’s probably a good thing! But, I digress! Anyway, my newfound friend and I talked all through the flight. I don’t know how those 3hrs zipped by so fast. By the time we began our descent into Charlotte, NC, I was very glad that she and I started talking and even established a bond of friendship. I did something I almost never do the first time I meet someone… I exchanged numbers with her. Yes, I did that. I was proud of myself for listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But clearly I was naïve to think it ended there.

Through out my conversation with my co-passenger, I felt this nagging feeling to pray for her. I tried to hush that feeling (like that would work!), but to no avail. I sat there on the flight thinking, “Oh Lord, how do I ask her if I can pray for her? That would be so weird!” I mean, I didn’t want to be that person who would walk around thrusting her faith in to other people’s faces. Sure I love Jesus and I want to share Him with everyone I meet, but praying for someone I just met, that too on the airplane, surrounded by several passengers, was, how should I put it… awkward! However, truth be told, when the Holy Spirit gets on your case, there’s no running. So I relented once again. I figured, if this turned out to be an uncomfortable ordeal, I can just never see her again so I didn’t have much to lose. Taking a deep breath, I turned to her and asked, “Hey, would you mind if I prayed for you and for your family?” Expecting her to either laugh at me or give me a bizarre look, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw her face light up as she smiled the most genuine smile at me and said, “Really? You’d do that for me?” Of course I would! Why wouldn’t I? We quickly shut our eyes and I prayed for her. During our earlier conversation I identified some needs that I then laid before the Lord in prayer and together, as the flight landed, we said, “Amen!” As soon as we opened our eyes she reached out to me and gave me a tight hug. She looked at me and said that she was very grateful that I’d prayed for her. She was touched that I would do that. We walked together to the baggage claim and before she left the airport to go home, she hugged me again and said, “You will never know how much you praying, meant to me.”

The genuine joy she felt over something as simple as prayer, is undeniable. I felt humbled and ashamed at myself, all at the same time. I was humbled that the Lord would use me to minister to her. I was ashamed that I was so reluctant to listen to Him. However, I’m glad I obeyed. Yesterday, when I was in Charlotte again for some speaking engagements, I met up with her and her children and I was just so blessed. This experience truly taught me what it means to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and truly just trust His promptings. I learned that when you offer to pray for someone, one of two things can happen – either they will reject it, or, like my friend did, welcome it like a breath of fresh air! Either way, what have I got to lose? So the next time my spirit is stirred, I won’t hesitate to turn to my neighbor and ask, “May I pray for you?”

In closing I must say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!