I love how God uses the daily things to teach, challenge, and inspire me. Last week of all the things to give me an a-ha moment, it was a packet of Tums.
Yep. Tums.
My guess is I needed them because of holiday eating that I’m still trying to get under control. But on that day I knew I’d be traveling most of the day and feared I’d have heartburn. I threw a small packet of the chalky relief into my pocket and went about my day.
Hours later, the heartburn flared.
Ugh. It was the last thing I wanted to deal with. It was such a busy day. I pushed through the agenda with a fiery chest wishing there was relief.
It took hours for me to remember the healing was right there in my pocket and had been all along. I had Tums in my pocket the entire time.
At first I laughed at myself, and then I was frustrated. I could have saved so much of the day pushing through had I accessed the Tums the moment I felt the heartburn start.
Then, the Jesus nudge whispered to my heart, no longer feeling on fire.
“Imagine how I feel when you’re struggling for a solution and I’ve been in your pocket the entire time, just waiting to help?”
Yeah. That.
How many times have I ran first to my husband to vent, or created a prayer chain on messenger, or made a beeline for the cupboard where those chocolate mint cookies offered me nothing but more heartburn and a bigger waistline?
I hate to confess that, but it’s true. There are so many times I’ve needed rescue, answers, healing, and provision and every time I had the Answer in my pocket and went about it as if no help was available.
In my reading of late, every theme that I’ve walked away with is He is present. He is not only there in the situation I’m struggling with, He’s ahead of me, already there before it happens, and already at the place where there’s resolution. He cares. He is with me. Always.
The praise in that moment was it wasn’t condemnation, and that’s how I knew it was the Lord. It was an a-ha, “you’re right, Jesus,” experience where I am praying to have a faster reaction time.
To stop before I run to anyone and anything and access the Answer. The Healer. My Provider. My Savior. My Friend.
The Tums in my pocket, if you will.
I haven’t been perfect in that pursuit. Our daughter has health challenges that takes my observation and then the wisdom and discernment to know how best to treat her. I get so wrapped in that cycle I forget to pray. The “prayer warrior” women message to stand in the gap and I forget to pray for my own child.
Ugh.
But.
He is a Way-Maker, and I shake off my missteps and keep on keeping on.
I encourage you to do the same.
He is Our Tums in the Pocket and so much more.
May we access Him first in our circumstances.
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Jazmin’s a natural at dance until a series of changes make her wonder if she should even keep up with her favorite hobby.
Lena’s a mom with young children overwhelmed with the schedule when a woman remarks that what Lena does isn’t even important.
Both belong to Linked, a mentoring ministry where all ages encourage each other and build their friendships.
Can these two surrender the lies they are believing and realize they are amazing?
Christians Read 