ABRASIVE

Woo-hoo --- had a cool thing happen and a lesson to learn as well.

I went this morning to the first part of an Awakening Conference from 10-1. UNBELIEVABLE AND WHAT A TIME IN THE LORD AND HIS GLORY.

Anyway, I was only planning on staying for the morning session as I really had not been feeling well. So, I went home after the first part. Was in the shower and the Lord spoke to me to go back for the 2:00 Session. "Huh?" Did I hear right? Again I felt such a quickening in my Spirit to return for the Worship part of the afternoon Session. I argued, "God, but my hair is wet and I am tired and my head is pounding." Once again "go back to the 2:00 Session for the Worship part." In my Spirit I felt the Lord wanted me to continue worshipping in prayer and I would know when then to leave.

Lately these unctions I am getting from the Holy Spirit are amazing. Never before so strong. But, in our human frailty we still end up arguing and questioning..... "is this really You Lord talking to me?? Nah, can't be. Is it You? Hello?"

So with wet hair and a quick one bite of a tuna sandwich I went back. Nice thing I only live 5 minutes away from where this event was taking place.

While in Worship the word "abrasive" kept on popping up in my head. I could not understand why. Not until I realized that while I was worshiping and praising the Lord there was this one woman in my row who "chose" to keep getting up from her seat and had to always go past me interrupting my worship to go somewhere then come back after a few minutes. The first few times I was ticked. She could have gone around, but chose the easier route. Then I said to the Lord, What gives? When is she going to let up?" Then in my Spirit I felt, "Until you let her go by you without you grumbling." WO-NELLY!! That stung!

So, the next time she got up, I politely moved away, even smiled at her (a first) and let her pass. I certainly was resistant at first because I am so set in my ways and "how dare you block or interrupt me." But the Lord had to show me first hand and I was raw and ready at that moment to see what I needed to do. Endless times in the past in so many other situations I could have had the opportunity as well, but chose not to. I was stubborn and just plainly did not care. I only thought about "me and my needs." This time I chose to! I was ready. It was a beginning, a small step in this critical area for me. She never got up again after that.

Sure you could construe this woman as being rude. She may have. That was not the point. The Lord had something to deal with me on and using her rudeness He chose.

Right then I knew at any time thereafter I could leave to go home. I felt at peace now. Not soon thereafter I did leave as I was really beginning to feel fatigued.

But, for the Lord to stir my heart to come back and to experience this lesson was interesting. I gave up questioning Him "Why this method Lord? I am sure there is an easier way?"

Obedience played a Big part today with me. (1) Obedience in just going back to the conference, tired and hurting and then (2) obeying the Spirit and not grumbling at an inconvenience.

I found it interesting that that particular word, Abrasive, kept coming up in my Spirit. Then seeing what one of its definitions meant, it makes sense now: "An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away. While finishing a material often means polishing it to gain a smooth, reflective surface it can also involve roughening as in satin, matte or beaded finishes."