My oldest son got a paper route when he was about twelve. Every morning before school he would deliver the newspaper to the neighbors on the route. Eventually the three younger kids and I each had a route!  Once I learned my route it seemed to be a perfect time and opportunity to pray.

From the journal .  .  .  . April 1994

Oh Lord, I love you. I’m so aware of you lately. The paper route time is good. I have a routine.  I start out singing worship songs to You as I walk. Then I pray for the neighbors that I deliver to. I pray the full armor of God ¹ and I rebuke Satan and his demons. Lastly, I start praying for my family. But Lord, maybe You don’t want me to have a plan but just be available to hear from You. The problem that I have with that is my tendency to be distracted by unproductive thoughts. Your word talks about those who have their minds on evil continually ² and I don’t want that.

¹Eph 6:10-17. Full Armor of God

²Gen 6:5. Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. NASB

Lord, so often I must discipline my thoughts to focus on You and righteousness so that I don’t slip into brain fights or worries of this world.

And I Believe God Said:

I can work with your style of living.  You are secure with your scheduling and routines.  That’s okay.  I am not going to take that away from you.  It’s not sin.  It’s how you do it.  I can and do disrupt your plans.  You have asked me to reign, and I do.  You want that usually, but you aren’t always willing to die to yourself. However, because you trust in My righteousness, I can use you. ¹ My daughter, you are so imperfect that you are continually reminded of My righteousness and My ability to forgive and cleanse you.  Yes, when you are weak – then I am strong. 

¹ Gal 2:20 ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. NLT
² 2 Cor 12:9-10. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Oh Lord, thank You.

I smile to think of You.  You do such good things for me.

In worship on Wednesday, You spoke to my heart about my friend, Keith (not his real name). I was feeling rejected by him and in defense, I had started finding fault with him and said to the Lord, 

“Lord, why do I get these negative thoughts while I’m supposedly worshipping You?  You know I love Keith.” 

Anyway, You renewed my heart with a great love and compassion for Keith, as though he needs reassurance and comfort.  I think maybe he has been under attack and You, our Almighty Father, were telling me to cherish him as my brother. He is just a sheep of Your hand. 

1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Psalm 95:7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

With that impression, You washed the hurt and resentment right out of my heart.  There have been other times too, Lord, when You just wave over me with Your love for me and for others, including those on my paper route. It’s so good to belong to You.