Welcome too all my new friends who read my post on www.katieganshert.com and are joining the oasis today for the first time. Other friends regularly visit with me here. Would you be so kind as to visit me there?
Today I am thrilled to welcome Katie Ganshert here. Her book Wildflowers from Winter is a story of how God's grace triumphs over our pain. Love can bloom from the hurt in our lives. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! In this post, you'll see why I fell in love with her and her writing!
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by Katie Ganshert
My son is three years old and he’s not the best listener.
For awhile there, I was getting frustrated with him. I would speak and it was
like he didn’t even hear my voice.
Then one day, we’re all cuddled up on the couch, watching Richard
Scarry’s Busytown (gotta love Lowly worm) when this song came on.
“Stop, Look, and Listen.”
I fell in love with it right away. It was the tool I needed
to help my son become a better listener.
I told him that he needs to stop what he’s doing, look at my
face, and open his ears. That song taught my little man that he needs a posture
of listening in order to hear.
I found this all very profound.
Because how true is this when it comes to our spiritual
ears?
How often do we miss God’s voice because we’re too
distracted and too busy?
This song reminded me that hearing God speak in my life
meant I have to take on a posture of listening.
I need to stop.
In this go, go, go world, I need to make time for stillness
and for silence.
I need to look.
In this distracting world, I need to know where I can go to
find truth and sustenance. And that’s God’s Word. They start in Genesis and end
in Revelation.
I need to listen.
In the stillness and in the silence, I need to open my ears
in prayer and in meditation. I need to give the Holy Spirit the chance to
speak.
The more I take on this posture. The more I hear God’s
voice. The easier it is to recognize the next time it comes.
Let’s Talk: Do
you take time throughout the day to hear with your spiritual ears? What’s your
favorite way to do this?
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Katie Ganshert is a slightly-frazzled, ever-inquisitive Midwest gal who’s passionate about Jesus, her family, writing, and all things romance. Her new novel WILDFLOWERS FROM WINTER is available for pre-order. When Katie’s not plotting ways to get her hero and heroine to fall in love, she enjoys watching movies with her real-life hero, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, hanging out with the crazy but lovable junior high students at her church, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels and coffee.
Hi Katie, this was wonderfully encouraging! I get so refreshed when I sit and listen to Him... sometimes, I don't say anything at all, just listen. ~ Blessings, Amy Alves
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I'm right there with ya, sister! Just sitting and being still in His presence is unimaginably invigorating and peaceful.
DeleteSuch a wonderful SIMPLE concept....if we can only remember to apply it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I wrote it for myself as much as anyone else! Glad this encouraged you today. :)
DeleteThis is what I have been thinking about lately. When I follow these guidelines my Little Chefs are so much happier. Everyone wants to be listened to. That is a hard skill to learn- to listen to each other and to Him.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking a lot about this lately too....with my debut about to hit shelves I feel like I've had to do a lot of talking. Whether that be online talking or face-to-face talking. And sometimes I think I just need to be quiet and do a lot more listening!!
DeleteIt's great to reminded about these simple and basic guidelines every once in awhile. Thanks for sharing this! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad it encourages you Czjai!
DeleteSimplicity. Beautifully written and so true!
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were little (and now when they are distracted, like in the airport), I make sure we make eye contact before I speak. It saves us from confusion and frustration. I'm sure God would like me to stop and focus on him when I'm distracted -- and I'm sure it would save me a lot of confusion and frustration!
Eye contact! Such wisdom! A great reminder with our daily interactions with people, but especially with God. Showing Him that we are focused on Him - that He has our undivided attention. Thanks for sharing that!
DeleteVery well written example of what we should ALL do!! I can't think of how many times I have been frustrated because I don't seemingly get the answers to my prayers. Wonder if I stopped, looked and listened if I would actually see those answers.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts sound similar to mine, Jacqueline. I think God answers prayers so much more often than we think...we're just not looking in the right way.
DeleteThis is a great reminder of a simple act we all need to practice more often. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!
DeleteLoved this, Katie. Such truth.
ReplyDeleteOK, so you write great emails, great blog posts, great devotionals, great short stories, great contemporary women's fiction/romances. What I wanna know is when are you gonna try your hand at a historical? I mean really. I think you could write just about anything. And, no, I'm not the slightest bit jealous. Nope, not me. Well, maybe a smidge on those rare occasions when my human nature is showing. :-) Mostly I'm just amazed and blessed and grateful that you answered the call to share your gifts with the rest of us.
Keli - you know how much I love you, right? On a different note...I'm quite certain I could never ever write a historical. It would be the worst historical to ever be written.
DeleteI agree with the others. There is so much truth in your words. I have a quiet time every morning, but I have a few post it notes that say PHP...Practice His Presence...posted in different places. They remind me of His presence throughout the day. I tend to get distracted, you know.
ReplyDeleteI love that! Practice His Presence. Love, love, love.
DeleteSuch a great post today Katie! It's really quite simple when you look at the way you lay it out. We get so caught up in worldly ways and the day to day that often we forget these three simple steps, yet they are vital in our relationship with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ross! Glad it encouraged you!
DeleteMy favorite way is to find a secluded place up in the mountains, preferably by a small stream...it is so much easier to connect with our Heavenly Father when surrounded by his creations. I'd never thought of applying that song to listening. Thanks for the insight!
ReplyDeleteYou make me long for the mountains! Only I live in Iowa....so I don't think those are coming here anytime soon. A peaceful stream though....I could do that.
DeleteReminds me of that verse...He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Well, I guess a stream is not still. But you get what I'm saying. :)