Better Than A Vending Machine

Sister Richardson's Super Split Seconds

Hello lovely people! We had ourselves a week! I'm officially in my last transfer, and it just feels surreal.

Transfer news... SISTER WALLIN AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER! I'm so pumped to spend my last six weeks in Spring/Roll with Sister Wallin. Stay tuned for some amazing miracles.

Here's a scripture I've been loving recently:
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:39

A few weeks ago, a woman named Amy was speaking in church. She was sharing her personal testimony, and one specific line has stuck with me ever since. Amy said:

"Life is so hard, and you know, most of the time I pray and I wonder if my microphone is even on. Like, God, are you even listening to me?"

She paused for a second and then tearfully and simply stated:

"I know He hears me."

This really struck me because I was feeling the exact same way. I've struggled my whole mission to understand why we can't just get the good things we pray for. I mean, after all, this is God's work—shouldn't His will override everything else?

What I'm learning is that God is not a transactional God. He's not like a vending machine. What we put in doesn't necessarily produce exactly what we want. In fact, the outcome is often nothing like what we wanted. But of this I am sure—the outcome is ALWAYS for our good. I second what Amy said: I know He hears me, and I know that as I make an effort to hear Him, my understanding of the trials placed before me becomes clearer, more purposeful, and even more positive!

Keep killing it, amazing people! I love you.

xoxo,
Sister Richardson





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