Greetings!
I am blessed to have the opportunity to share some thoughts with you based on a lifelong journey in search of faith in God. The Bible is our guide, but who is our Translator? Our God is. And I believe He uses people to speak to others. Maybe He is speaking through me. I am not sure, and I am not a formally educated Biblical scholar. But I am a lifelong Biblical student. These thoughts come to me as I seek to understand the Lord. All we can do is take in what others have to say, think about our own circumstances, and seek what really speaks to our own hearts. I hope you gain something from my musings and possibilities and are encouraged to crack open that Bible for your own confirmation and research. It is truly an amazing book!
Lori Corrente
Author of the upcoming book: “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?”
The One Thing We Forget to Pray For
I have been struggling with a problem. There seemed to be no answer. I prayed for guidance, for answers. I prayed for God to show me His will. Time passed. I continued to wrestle with decisions I had to make and problems I created.
Then I had a dream. I was looking for a hotel I was to stay in. It was crowded – packed. I couldn’t find my way. I was driven onto a strange ride like in an amusement park. It circled fast, and spiraled downward. There were others sitting with me. I was trapped, but it was not scary. I just sat there and smiled, looking at the blur go by, anticipating without fear what was next.
Leaving the ride, I walked up stairs, and a woman was coming down the stairs in front of me – struggling, disabled. She went to go around me, and I said to her, “Here, I will help you”. I took her arm, and she was glad I guided her back to the rail. She surrendered to my assistance. I proceeded on my way into the hotel. I was then in a very crowded bar or restaurant. I looked for someone to make friends with (something I would never do in reality!) One lady didn’t want to talk. Another invited me into her little circle. I felt peaceful and included.
I have spent my life “going it alone”. Fear of others, of socializing, of making friends, of rejection. I will solve my problem, thank you very much. I had God by my side. Jesus was near me, surely. However, in hindsight, my problems were never really solved. I gratefully received from God just enough to get by – but the lesson is repeated – again and again.
When I awoke from my dream, it was clear. I walked INTO society and the world around me. I was brave – no – comfortable. I spoke to others and risked rejection. I did not give up. I felt no fear. He was showing me how things COULD be. But the most important thing He showed me was that I had never asked Him to HELP me.
I kept Him at a distance, like I do with people. Insecure, not wanting to bother them, I go on my way, looking very strong and independent. I’m not. I need help. By not asking, I dishonor the
Lord. How? By thinking I don’t need Him. I just pray for Him to be near and thank Him for my life and blessings, never really surrendering to His fatherly assistance. I put myself on His level thinking I can do this alone – while being too afraid to ask for help.
Like the lady on the stairs, I am the one who needs help. She was me. God showed me His true nature through my action! I do love to help people – and God showed me how He must feel helping US. He gave me the feeling of letting go on the amusement ride. My God-given dream was a message: “Call on Me to help you. Trust Me. I am nearer and more willing than you believe. Life is full of wonderful people and opportunities I want to share with you – ask and ye shall receive.” I prayed then and there for forgiveness – and humbly asked Him to remind me to ask Him to help me every day. Psalm 121:1-3