Order My Steps  

By Jane Cottrill 

I awoke late for work. It was imperative that I get to my prayer closet and I only had an hour before leaving for work so I did an abbreviated morning ritual. Quickly brushing my hair, I began twisting it into a bun at the back of my neck. At that moment the Lord spoke clearly "leave your hair down".

This is something I never do, as a nurse, my hair left down could be a potential risk. But there was no doubt in my mind that He had instructed me to leave it down. I finished quickly and ran to the church to pray.

My son was going to court that morning. He had made some very poor and immature choices and he was going to go before the judge. As his mother I wanted to be by his side but could not.

Once at our church I fell on my face and began to call out to the Lord. Only moments into my prayer I felt angels ministering me. I prayed for our son to not be alone and for angels to carry him thru what lay ahead. It was a prayer time I will never forget. I realized that morning that I did have power on my head because of the angels (I Corinthians 11:10).

As I arrived at the clinic a friend from admitting came around the corner and exclaimed "Jane your hair!" No one had ever seen my knee-length hair down before. She said "it is angelic!" The choice of her words was another confirmation that the Lord had heard my prayer and was taking care of Nate.

Later that day I received a phone call from our son. We had not discussed my morning activities. He reported his day to me. "Mom I walked into the room at the court house and it was filled; people sitting in chairs, people standing around the perimeter of the room and more sitting on the floor. I sat down between two empty chairs and waited for my turn to be called before the judge. No one ever sat in either of the chairs beside me. When my name was called, I did not feel alone but that someone on either side of me arose and walked with me to the bench. I never once felt anxious or alone. I know God is ordering my steps and is going to go through this with me."

Today Nate is a licensed minister. He loves God with his heart, soul, mind, and strength. God continues to order his steps.

Editors note: Jane is the Indiana District Ladies Minstries President. She works part time as an RN in an orthopedic/pain management clinic. Her husband, Mark pastors the Bourbon UPC and has been the love of her life for thirty-eight years. They have two sons and three grandchildren. 

Order My Steps   By Sherry Phillips

Have you ever been lost? I remember as a child we had gone on a family picnic. I went to get something but could not find our car. What a frightening experience as I wandered from car to car with tears flowing down my cheeks and praying that someone would find me. My older sister came to my rescue and took me back to our family picnic. What a wonderful feeling to have someone guide you to your destination.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place, which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Our GPS would not be able to help us with this one. Abraham was confident though that he had heard from God. Not only was Abraham listening to God but he was obedient. Abraham had totally surrendered his will to God and was willing to walk wherever God lead him.

Sometimes God leads us to places we do not like. I was in one of those places; it was a job that I hated. I prayed, cried and yes even pleaded with God, "Please get me out of this place". Do you know what God said? "You are exactly where I want you to be." God's plan for your life always involves your gifts, His timing, and being in the right place.

God will honor you when you are where He wants you to be. God has promised to bless you, but sometimes He has to reposition you in order to receive His blessing. We need to use God's Positioning System (GPS).