Laurie's Lessons

Don’t Force What God Hasn’t Revealed Yet

🌸 Welcome to Laurie’s Lessons

Helping people choose faith in every season of life.

Lesson #016: Don’t Force What God Hasn’t Revealed Yet

I prayed ALL DAY about what I was supposed to teach for this Laurie’s Lesson…and I kept drawing a blank. 😂

I asked God for a topic. Nothing.

I thought of different ideas. Nothing felt right.

And then it hit me…

Maybe THAT was the lesson.

How often do we pray for God’s direction—but when the answer doesn’t come quickly enough, we start trying to manufacture one ourselves?

We say we’re waiting on God, but sometimes we’re really giving Him a deadline.

And if He doesn’t answer fast enough…

we answer for Him.

In this Laurie’s Lesson, we’re talking about learning to wait without forcing doors, manufacturing opportunities, or making decisions simply because uncertainty makes us uncomfortable.

Sometimes faith looks like moving forward.

But sometimes…

Faith looks like being still.

📖 “Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

Maybe you’re waiting for direction about a relationship, career, business, move, opportunity, family decision, or the next chapter of your life.

You don’t necessarily need to figure out tomorrow’s answer today.

God may be working where you can’t see Him yet.

Just like a seed beneath the soil, what looks like “nothing” from above may have roots developing underneath. 🌱

❤️ God’s silence does not mean God’s absence.

Keep praying.

Keep listening.

Seek wise counsel when needed.

Keep doing what you already know is right.

And give God room to reveal the next step in His timing.

💬 TODAY’S QUESTION:

Have you ever looked back and THANKED GOD that He made you wait for something you desperately wanted at the time?

I’d love to hear your story in the comments. ❤️

📤 And please share this lesson with someone who’s struggling because they don’t know what comes next.

Maybe they don’t need another answer today.

Maybe they simply need permission to trust while they wait.

🌸 Laurie’s Lessons

Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.

🌐 LaurieDelk.me

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Don’t Force What God Hasn’t Revealed Yet

🌸 Laurie’s Lesson #016

I have to laugh at how this lesson came about. 😂❤️

I have prayed ALL DAY about what I was supposed to share for my next Laurie’s Lesson.

Usually something happens…

A conversation sparks a thought.
Something happens in business.
Kevin says something that gets me thinking. 😂
I read something.
Or God puts something on my heart and I think, “YES! That’s the next lesson!”

Today?

Nothing. 🤷‍♀️😂

I kept praying…

“Okay God…what am I supposed to talk about?”

And finally it hit me:

Maybe not having the answer yet IS the lesson.

How often do we pray for God’s direction…but when He doesn’t answer quickly enough, we start trying to figure it out ourselves?

We pray about the job, the relationship, the business, the move, the opportunity, the finances, the next chapter…

And then we start forcing doors because we’re uncomfortable standing in the hallway.

💗 But maybe you don’t need to open the door yet.

Maybe you don’t need tomorrow’s answer today.

Sometimes faith means GO.

Sometimes faith means DO.

And sometimes faith simply means…

WAIT. 🙏

📖 “Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10 KJV

I’ve had to learn that God’s silence does not mean God’s absence.

Think about planting a seed. 🌱

For a while, you see absolutely NOTHING happening above the ground.

But underneath?

Roots are forming.

Growth is happening.

Things are being prepared that you simply cannot see yet.

Our lives can be like that too.

While we’re saying, “God, NOTHING is happening!”…

God may be arranging circumstances.

Preparing people.

Changing hearts.

Closing the wrong doors.

Preparing the right ones.

Or maybe…

He’s preparing US. ❤️

So here’s today’s reminder:

🎀 Don’t force the door.

🎀 Don’t manufacture the opportunity.

🎀 Don’t make a decision simply because waiting makes you uncomfortable.

🎀 Don’t allow impatience to make a decision that belongs to prayer.

Keep praying. 🙏
Keep listening. 💗
Keep doing what you already know you’re supposed to do.

And trust God with what hasn’t been revealed yet.

Because perhaps someday you’ll look back at this season and realize…

The waiting wasn’t wasted at all.

It was preparation. 🌱❤️

💕 TODAY’S REFLECTION:

Where in your life are you trying to force an answer because you’re uncomfortable not knowing?

Maybe today’s prayer can simply be:

🙏 “Lord, I don’t know what You’re doing yet…but I trust You enough not to force what You haven’t revealed.”

And apparently…sometimes even drawing a complete blank can turn into a Laurie’s Lesson. 😂💗

🌸 Laurie’s Lessons #016
Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.
🌐 LaurieDelk.me

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You Never Know the Whole Story Someone Else Was Carrying

🌸 Laurie’s Lesson #015

Have you ever looked back on a season of your life and understood it completely differently than you did while you were living it?

I have. ❤️

Age has a way of giving us perspective that youth simply couldn’t have given us yet.
We begin to understand why someone worked so much.
Why someone seemed distracted.
Why certain decisions were made.
Why somebody couldn’t always show up exactly the way we wanted them to.

And sometimes we discover there were battles happening quietly behind the scenes that we knew absolutely nothing about.

That’s why I’ve learned to be careful when judging someone else’s choices — especially choices they made during a difficult season.

We usually know the part of the story we experienced.
But we may not know everything they were carrying.

Maybe they were protecting someone.
Maybe they were trying to keep everything together.
Maybe they were struggling financially.
Maybe they were grieving.
Maybe they were scared.

Maybe they were doing the very best they knew how to do with circumstances nobody else completely understood.

And here’s something else I’ve learned…

Two people can walk through the same season and experience it very differently.

One person’s memories don’t necessarily cancel out another person’s memories.

There can be room for both.

Maturity teaches us to stop asking only:
“How did this affect me?”

…and begin asking:
“I wonder what they were going through, too?”

That one question can change relationships.
It can replace judgment with curiosity.
Resentment with understanding.
Anger with compassion.

And sometimes…

It can help us look back at an imperfect season and finally see the love that was there all along — even when that love didn’t always look the way we expected it to. ❤️

None of us gets every season right.

Parents don’t.
Spouses don’t.
Children don’t.
Friends don’t.
People don’t.

But as we grow, we get the opportunity to look at old stories through new eyes.

Not to pretend the difficult parts didn’t happen.
Not to erase anyone’s feelings.

But to recognize that perhaps…
There was more to the story than we knew.

📖 “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” — Ephesians 4:2 (KJV)

❤️ Today’s Reflection

Is there someone whose actions you’ve judged based only on the part of their story you could see?

Maybe before deciding what their intentions were…

Ask yourself:
“What might they have been carrying that I never knew about?”

Sometimes understanding doesn’t change the past.
It changes the way we carry it into the future. 💕

🌸 Laurie’s Lessons

Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.

🌐 LaurieDelk.me

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Don’t Miss the Joys of Today

Laurie’s Lesson #014

Don’t Miss the Joys of Today While Chasing the Goals of Tomorrow

The other day, Kevin and I were talking during one of our long road trips. (Those are some of my favorite conversations.)

He said something that really stayed with me…

“Don’t miss the joys of today while chasing the goals of tomorrow.”

Wow.

How often do we do exactly that?

We work hard.

We build businesses.

We pursue dreams.

We save for the future.

And there’s nothing wrong with having goals.

In fact, I believe God often places dreams in our hearts for a reason.

But somewhere along the way…

Many of us become so focused on where we’re going…

That we forget to enjoy where we are.

I’ve been there.

When I was younger, I was always building, creating, achieving, and working toward the next milestone.

Those things weren’t wrong.

But today, I’ve learned something I wish I had understood sooner…

Success means very little if you never stop long enough to enjoy the life God has already given you.

This afternoon, Kevin and I spent time floating in our pool.

Nothing fancy.

No big event.

No productivity.

Just laughter.

Conversation.

Sunshine.

Peace.

And I found myself thinking…

These are the moments I’ll remember.

Not another email.

Not another item on my to-do list.

These moments.

One day our grandchildren will grow up.

One day summer will end.

One day our parents won’t be here.

One day our bodies may not let us do the things we can do today.

So let’s not postpone joy until “someday.”

Call the friend.

Take the walk.

Watch the sunset.

Play with your grandchildren.

Laugh a little longer.

Hold your spouse’s hand.

Sit on the porch.

Enjoy the pool.

Celebrate the ordinary moments that quietly become life’s greatest treasures.

Goals are important.

But so is gratitude.

Build your future…

Without missing the beautiful gift of today.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

Today’s Reflection

What simple joy has God placed in your life today that you’ve been too busy to notice?

Maybe the greatest blessing isn’t waiting in your future…

Maybe it’s already sitting beside you.

Laurie’s Lessons

Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.

Until tomorrow…

Keep choosing faith. Live with purpose.

#LauriesLessons #ChoosingFaith #LiveWithPurpose #BePresent #EnjoyToday #Gratitude #FaithJourney #ChristianEncouragement #FamilyFirst #SlowDown #JoyInTheJourney #Psalm11824 #SimpleJoys

Don’t Miss the Joys of Today While Chasing the Goals of Tomorrow | Laurie’s Lesson #014

🌸 Welcome to Laurie’s Lessons Lesson #014

Helping people choose faith in every season of life.

Don’t Miss the Joys of Today While Chasing the Goals of Tomorrow

During a recent road trip, Kevin shared a simple thought that stopped me in my tracks:

“Don’t miss the joys of today while chasing the goals of tomorrow.”

Those words became today’s Laurie’s Lesson.

As Christians, it’s good to have dreams, goals, and a strong work ethic. God created us to use our gifts and serve others faithfully. But sometimes, in the pursuit of success, we unintentionally overlook the beautiful moments God has already placed right in front of us.

Today’s lesson is a reminder to build your future without missing the blessings of today.

Whether it’s time with your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, a quiet morning, a beautiful sunset, or simply floating in the pool with someone you love—these ordinary moments often become life’s greatest treasures.

📖 Key Scripture:

Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

❤️ My prayer is that today’s lesson encourages you to slow down, be present, and embrace the gift of today while continuing to pursue the purpose God has placed on your life.

🌸 Laurie’s Lessons

Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.

❤️ If this lesson encouraged you:

👍 Like this video

💬 Share in the comments:

What simple joy are you thankful for today?

📤 Share this video with someone who needs the reminder to slow down and enjoy life’s blessings.

🔔 Subscribe as we continue this daily journey of Choosing Faith and Living with Purpose.

🌐 LaurieDelk.me

Until tomorrow…

💖 Keep choosing faith. Live with purpose.

#LauriesLessons #ChoosingFaith #LiveWithPurpose #EnjoyToday #FaithJourney #ChristianEncouragement #Psalm11824 #BePresent #Gratitude #FamilyFirst

#JoyInTheJourney #ChristianLiving #SimpleJoys #PurposeDriven #FaithOverFear

One Day at a time

💔 Life After Loss: When Everything Feels Hard… But Hope Is Still There 💪❤️

Losing your spouse isn’t something you simply “get over.” It’s a journey of learning to carry your grief while slowly discovering that life can still hold purpose, joy, and hope.

Even years later, grief can resurface in unexpected moments—not always during life’s biggest storms, but often in the quiet moments.

A move…
An anniversary…
A birthday…
A holiday…
Or even an ordinary Tuesday when the silence feels louder than usual.

Sometimes it’s not one overwhelming event. It’s the accumulation of everything.

The decisions.
The responsibilities.
The memories.
The loneliness.
The endless to-do list.

When we’ve been carrying a heavy emotional load for a long time, even small tasks can feel overwhelming. It’s not because you’re failing—it’s because you’ve been carrying more than most people can imagine.

❤️ Here’s the good news…

You don’t have to have everything figured out today.

You don’t have to become the person you were before your loss.

You have permission to grow into the beautiful, resilient woman God is shaping you to become. 🌷

There are practical steps that can help lighten the emotional load:

🔵 Give yourself grace instead of guilt.
🔵 Simplify decisions when life feels overwhelming.
🔵 Create small, healthy routines that bring stability.
🔵 Accept help when it’s offered.
🔵 Prioritize rest—not because you’re weak, but because restoration is part of healing.
🔵 Lean into your faith and trusted relationships, even when it’s difficult.

Please remember this…

💗 You are stronger than you realize.
💗 Your story isn’t over.
💗 Your grief does not define your future.
💗 There is still purpose ahead.
💗 And you never have to walk this journey alone.

If you’re navigating life after the loss of your spouse, I’m praying for you today. One step at a time. One day at a time. God is still writing your story, and brighter days are possible—even if you can’t see them yet. 🙏❤️

Together, let’s walk this road with faith, grace, practical tools, and hope.

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God Usually Reveals the Next Stop

God Usually Reveals the Next Step…Not the Whole Journey | Laurie’s Lesson #011

🌸 Laurie’s Lesson #011

God Usually Reveals the Next Step…Not the Whole Journey

Have you ever wished God would simply write you a letter and tell you exactly what to do next?

I know I have!

The truth is, most of us want the entire roadmap before we’re willing to take the first step. But that’s usually not how faith works.

God often reveals just enough light for today’s step—not tomorrow’s entire journey.

In today’s Laurie’s Lesson, we’ll explore how trusting God one step at a time leads to a life of peace, purpose, and faith. Looking back, we often see God’s fingerprints all over our lives, even when we couldn’t recognize them in the moment.

📖 Key Scripture:

Psalm 37:23 (KJV)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

❤️ Whether you’re searching for direction, praying about your future, starting something new, or simply learning to trust God more deeply, I pray this lesson encourages you to take your next faithful step.

🌸 Laurie’s Lessons

Choosing Faith. Live with Purpose.

If this lesson encouraged you…

👍 Like this video

💬 Tell me in the comments: What is one step of faith God is asking you to take?

📤 Share this lesson with someone who may be waiting for all the answers before moving forward.

🔔 Subscribe and join me for a new Laurie’s Lesson as we continue choosing faith together.

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Until tomorrow…

💖 Keep choosing faith. Live with purpose.

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