Faith

I'll warn you now, this post is about my faith and belief in God.  If you're looking for a sports take or just something amusing, I'm not on that today.  I feel the need to put this down for the record...
If you have a strong faith, believe in God and talk to Him in prayer on a regular basis you can likely relate to my post.  I start every day with a prayer.  I go to a quiet place in my house or wherever I may be, fall to my knees and begin by thanking God for allowing me for another day of life.  It's part of what I do everyday, even more so than that regular cup of coffee you get.  I also pray throughout the day--different times for different things.  Sometimes just a prayer of thanks, other times for strength or wisdom or patience.  I always believe that God answers my prayers.  He does so in His own way and in His own time.  On rare occassions though there are times when I'm praying to Him and it feels like He's revealing his answer to me while I'm praying.  For me it comes in the form of a conversation.  It doesn't happen that often but yesterday while praying it did.
I was pouring out my heart to God about something that's been on my mind (not going to get into details).  At the moment I asked for His guidance on the matter I felt like He gave me a series of questions to evaluate my life with.  It was mind blowing to say the least!  I felt like God presented to me my situation in a different light and asked me if I can honestly tell Him I was handling it as a Christian man or how I felt He would want me to handle it.  I was humbled--quick.  As I began to ask more questions I still felt His presence and Him giving me guidance only a loving parent could.  As I said it was humbling but a great sense of calm and understanding came over me.  Honestly unless you've had a similar experience it's hard to explain.
I felt it important to post this because we often pray to God for things that may or may not be in His will for us.  We tend to want things based on our own schedule.  When we come to realize and embrace the FACT that God has His own schedule and His own plan for us (not to mention the plan and the timing are always perfect) we benefit so much more.  How often could you go to a good friend that you've done something against or repeatedly made mistakes with and yet they still embrace you; genuinely want the best for you and forgive you when you show true repentance? I don't think I could (at this point: still working on me).  That's how God is.  We sin against him daily, yet with a contrite heart and asking Him for forgiveness He grants it to us and allows us to have a relationship with Him.  If that doesn't show love, mercy, grace and kindness, I don't know what does! 

For those of you who kept reading past the first line or two, I hope this brings you comfort and peace knowing God loves you. If you're searching for a way to get into a relationship with Him, go to Him in prayer RIGHT NOW!  Tell him what's in your heart--leave nothing out.  Ask Him for forgiveness, for His grace, for His love and for wisdom to know His will for you.  GUARANTEED He'll show up. I speak from experience.

God bless