Heal from the past

Can You Hear Me Now? {Awesome Guest Post By Rachel Wojnarowski}

24 Comments 01 September 2012

I’m so thankful to have Rachel Wojnarowski here today. She is originally a small town country girl who converted to a suburban mother of seven by way of life happening. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy caring for their busy family, whose ages span 9 months to 21 years and includes a special needs daughter. Rachel leads community ladies’ Bible studies in central Ohio and serves as an event planner and speaker for special needs parenting groups. She is a member of the Ohio Writers’ Guild and the National MPS Society; and loves to inspire others through her blog by sharing faith, family, and fun. Wife, mom, reader, writer, speaker and dreamer, you can find Rachel on Twitter and Facebook.

Can You Hear Me Now?

The breeze blew across the park just as I arrived at the halfway mark. Turning to retrace my steps toward home, my heart was deep in conversation with the Creator who provided the strength for steps. And with each step, my prayers became more persistent.

To me, conversing with God while running is as natural as the necessity to breathe. With the inhale is a thought of repentance; perhaps the exhale holds a bit of a plea for His will in my life. This particular day my mind dwelled on thoughts of how God speaks to His people in this generation and decade. His speech is not just for the church leaders or the pastor. I want to hear God’s voice so clearly that the existence is unmistakable. His Word promises that intimate communication and I crave it.
Now I’ve never heard God’s voice audibly. If I did, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be writing this right now due to heart failure. But I can tell you the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart clearly and distinctly.

On this particular run, I was asking God that very question. “How do You make Yourself known to us in this generation, Lord?” And about that time, a little boy, around the age of 3, slid out of his house as I was running by. He stopped at the end of the sidewalk. Then he looked me right in the eyes and said “Hi!” in a tiny shy-boy voice. He waved and I returned his wave. Afterward he stood and watched me until I turned the corner.

God whispered to my heart: That’s how I speak today. The same way I’ve spoken for centuries- through what you may consider to be small and insignificant. This is why so many miss my voice. The large, magnificent, and busy entertain and engage you. The distractions overtake you and keep you from my ways. Listen for the small voice. To hear it, you’ll need to be still.

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. I Kings 19:11&12

Q4U:

When was the last time you were still enough for God to speak to your heart?

 

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  • Gertrude Nonterah

    Ah the art of staying still ! I love praying however sometimes I find myself talking more than listening. How precious those moments are to me when I stop talking enough to hear what God has to say in response to my “rambling” ! God bless you Rachel.

  • Jenni Ho-Huan

    God mercifully slips in those precious, strong, firm words …when I am just going about stuff by myself or walking…I don’t run…But the listening comes from the learning to be still which is very hard at first, but with persistence becomes like a shape or a wavelength one can adopt or tune in to…
    I lead a simple solitude time to help others discover this quiet in their souls… A real great idea He gave I believe …to help me first, then others…

  • Amy Alves

    Rachel, you know I’m right there with you girl! Running is some of my best alone time with Him. He talks, I listen. :) ~ Blessings out, Amy

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      Sweet Friend: One of our many common grounds. Blessings to you, Girl!

  • http://juliesunne.com/ Julie Sunne

    I’m not a runner, and I struggle to be still, so the time when I hear God the best is during my almost-daily walks. I’ve found another great time to dialogue with the Lord is during mundane chores that don’t take much thought, such as dishes or mopping. Thanks for sharing, Rachel!

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      I so understand that struggle to be still. I love busyness (good thing with 7 kids, huh?) I always say that my “best” conversations with God are when I’m scrubbing the showers and toilets. :) Thank you, Girl!

  • Lizzie Branch

    Just got back in from a run and your post was waiting for me to read! So glad I did. I agree, being still and knowing/hearing God are dependent upon each other. Running is great for the body, but even better for my relationship with God. Thank you for sharing Rachel!

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      How neat! Yes, I agree- win all the way around.

  • Guest

    Just got back in from a run and your post was waiting for me to read! So glad I did. I agree, being still and knowing/hearing God are dependent upon each other. Running is great for the body, but even better for my relationship with God. Thank you for sharing

  • http://twitter.com/abbysnews Abby Van Wormer

    This is a great post!

    The last time I was still enough to hear God was when I got frustrated and I said, “God, do you even notice me? Do you see what I’m doing?!” And I felt like He was saying to me, “I notice you. Do you notice Me?”

    I’ve been thinking about that and trying to notice what He’s doing in my life and take note and thank Him for all the good things that happen. I’ve also been trying to get closer to Him.

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      What power there is in praising God! I love that you are thanking Him. I’m continually trying to work on this with my children. (ok, and me too!)

  • Shelly Hollis

    Love this post – gave me chill bumps to think about the God of this universe speaking directly to us! What a privilege…Thanks Rachel!

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      Oh yes, Amen! Thank you, Shelly!

  • http://twitter.com/MelissaKNorris Melissa K Norris

    Something about running always brings my thoughts to God. And His voice is small, but so powerful when we hear it. I related so much to you, thanks for sharing.

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      I agree. Thanks Melissa!

  • http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

    I think the only time my brain can hear God is when I run. Otherwise it’s stuffed with fluff (yep, I’m Winnie the Pooh). Great post!

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      Love it. Just think what will happen when you run a half!! :)

  • http://www.love-laugh-learn.com/ Deanna

    Rachel, love that you were running when you heard this.

    Hearing the Lord doesn’t mean we always need to sit on our couches in our pjs (oh wait, on second thought!..) we can be active, fully participating in this crazy life, and still practice quieting our hearts enough to hear him in everything!

    Wish we lived a little closer to each other in Oh, we could have coffee! :)

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      Coffee would be just delightful! As long as you don’t mind kiddos running around. :)

  • http://www.majorinthegraceofgod.blogspot.com/ dale carroll-coleman

    Beautiful, truthful post. The simplicity of asking God this important question, and the delightful way in which He answered…. Through a child. A childlike faith. A heart and mind willing to be still, waiting. That is all He asks, and He loves to answer us…. Sometimes within minutes! Isnt God amazing?!
    Your writing is lovely to read. Blessings to you.

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      oh yes! Simple childlike faith. Thank you Dale. Blessings to you.

  • http://alwaysalleluia.com/ Kris Camealy

    Great words, Rachel, I’ve been trying to take time to sit quietly before the Lord, there’s so much “noice” in my life, when I make the time to literally just sit and wait on Him, I find I can hear Him whispering in ways taht I miss when I refuse to make the time for these quiet moments. Thank you for the reminder, and encouragement to seek Him and listen.

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      Waiting is key, isn’t it? Thank you Friend!

      • http://alwaysalleluia.com/ Kris Camealy

        Oh mercy! I just saw all of my type o’s! That should be “noise”. That’s what I get for typing on my phone before my coffee. And yes, learning to wait on Him makes all the difference.

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