Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 67

I Never Dreamed It Would End this Way

I never dreamed it would end this way. 

All his life my husband had felt the call of God. Not surprising, really, since his family had long lived in Jericho. What boy wouldn’t have wanted to be a prophet after sitting around the fire with the old men, listening to their stories of the day the walls fell and their family alone had escaped? 

Later, grafted into the Abrahamic line through their great great grandmother Rahab, those men of Jericho had believed and passed the faith legacy onto their sons and daughters. “Sons of the prophets,” they were called, and centuries later these men followed Elijah, then Elisha. 

My man was one of them. Serving God in a hostile land where neighbors worshiped Baal on high altars, he set his face toward Jerusalem and honored the King of Kings. “We will not bow to gods of wood and stone,” my brave husband declared. 

How proudly my heart beat at his courageous stand. We were there when Elisha, through the power of God, healed the poisonous water from our village with only salt and a new bowl. 

“Thus says the Lord,” he declared, ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’” 

Yet he allowed my husband to die. 

Despite his faithful service. Despite his love for Jehovah. Despite my prayers for his recovery. 

Now here I stand, widowed in a world where creditors enslave children for their parents’ debt. 

“Your servant my husband is dead,” I cry in anguish, falling at the feet of the prophet who could not keep my husband alive, “and you know he feared the Lord.” 

Tears make shimmering tracks through the dust on my face as I raise my eyes to the man who parted the Jordan River and called she-bears from the woods. My voice rises to a wail as fear pushes the words from my throat, 

“And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 

“What shall I do for you?” the man asks, but before I can answer, he asks another question. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” 

I smother a desperate laugh. Doesn’t he know I’ve sold everything of value? Doesn’t he know I’ve borrowed from every friend and relative to pour a thimble-full of water on the forest fire of our debt? Doesn’t he know I’ve done everything possible to keep the circling wolves from my door? 

“Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil,” I whisper, knowing that if salvation depends on me, then my sons are lost. 

“Go,” he commands, and I fear he is banishing me from his presence and my only hope. “Borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels. . .” 

Empty vessels? Empty vessels? What good will empty vessels do? I am an empty vessel, spent and useless. 

Then his voice deepens, and his words compel me. “Do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour (the oil) into all those vessels.” 

The power of his words raise me from where I sit crumpled at his feet. A strange quickening flutters deep in my breast. Turning from his presence, I recognize it, like a long-lost friend on a distant horizon. 

Hope. 

Newfound hope mingled with a thousand questions give wings to my feet. 

“Boys! Boys!” I call, ducking low into the darkened house where they huddle, fearful. “Go to the neighbors. Go to the market. Go to Abba and Imah. Borrow every jar and vessel you can and bring them back. Hurry!”

Their eyes are wide and their mouths gaping, for once fearing their mother more than the lurking creditors that threaten to take them away. They fly on swift feet and return almost immediately, their thin arms clutching a hodgepodge of earthen vessels. 

“Go again,” I urge, taking the jugs from their hands and pushing them out the door. 

“And again,” I tell them when they return a second time. 

They repeat their frantic circles until they collapse at my feet. “No more,” they pant and shake their heads. “There are no more.” 

“Then close the door,” I bark, fearful that the promised deliverance will expire with the afternoon sun. I raise my half-full jar of oil, the last of the harvest, to the mouth of the first empty vessel. My trembling hands can barely pour, and a shiny stream sloshes over the side until I gain control. 

Miraculously, even though the borrowed jar is three times the size of my small one, the flow continues. I watch in disbelief as the oil fills the vessel and overflows. 

“Mama!” My son’s startled cry awakens my senses, and I set the heavy jar down and reach for another. 

And another. 

And another. 


“Bring me another vessel,” I call to my sons, scurrying to keep up with the rhythm. Tip. Pour. Fill. Tip. Pour. Fill. Tip. Pour. Fill. 

“There are no more,” the youngest cries, peering into the corner where the empty jars had laid. 

His words cause my own little jar to tilt in my weary hand. I catch myself, expecting a puddle where the spout has tipped, but no worries. Not a single drop is lost. The jar is empty. 

I rise from my place on the floor and fly out the door. “Stay here,” I call back to my sons as I race down the dusty streets toward the prophet’s house. My heart pounds, and my feet gain speed until I again stand before him. 

“The oil didn’t give out,” I gasp with no introduction. “I filled every jar we could find. There are dozens. Dozens. All full.” 

A sob rises in my throat and tears again run rivers down my cheeks. Only this time, they are not tears of desperation. They are tears of joy. 

“Thank you.” 

“Go,” the prophet Elijah says kindly, “sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 

I turn to leave, and then turn back. 

“I never dreamed it would end this way.” 



If you're struggling to believe the Lord can provide for you, I pray that this adaptation of a true story from 2 Kings 4:1-7 will inspire you. Even though the story happened long ago, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You can trust him.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

When Strong Ones Grow Weary

You know who you are.

You're the strong ones.

You’re the ones others turn to when they’re struggling. The ones who always have a verse ready to bolster your friends’ faith because you read your Bible every morning.

You’re the ones who carry a multitude of prayer requests close to your heart and pray for them in the the night watches. And the ones who remind others that God loves them and will meet their needs, even when the situation seem impossible.

You’re the people who set the example for others to follow. Your lives are a demonstration of what it looks like to rejoice in suffering, persevere through trials, and never stop believing.

 But even you grow weary sometimes. It’s hard being strong. 

When my daughter was young and her little legs would tire, she’d tug on my husband’s sleeve and whimper, “I’m tired, Daddy, will you carry me?”

Without missing a step, my husband would reach down and scoop her up in his big, strong arms. She’d wrap her tiny arms around his neck, lay her tired head upon his shoulder, and sigh. “I’ve got you, baby girl,” he’d whisper in her ear. “You take a little rest. Daddy will carry you.” 

If you’re usually strong, but you’re feeling weary right now, it’s OK.

Even strong ones grow tired.

It’s human to wonder, who will carry me while I carry all the others? 

The prophet Habakkuk, a strong man with strong faith, also felt the strain. He sought the Lord in his weariness. “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me (Hab. 2:1).”

God’s answer to Habakkuk is God’s answer to you, too:

“The Sovereign Lord is (your) strength.”

When you grow weary, and the faith burdens you carry grow too heavy, tug on your Father’s sleeve. Cry out to him. “I’m tired, Daddy, carry me.”

Without missing a step, he’ll scoop you up in his big, strong arms, tuck your head under his chin, and whisper in your ear, “I’ve got you, baby girl. Take a little rest. Daddy will carry you.”

If you’re a strong one, I’m praying you will allow the Sovereign Lord to be your strength today.

What about you? Which verses bring you comfort when you’re feeling weak? I’d love it if you’d share them in the comment box today. And if you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the end of the post, and comment there.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Comfort When Life Gets Hard

Why do bananas make your teeth feel sticky? 

Why do some people cry and other people yell when they hit their thumb with a hammer?

Why do I always find one more dirty glass after I’ve drained the dishwater? 

Some days little questions wiggle around in my brain. Other times big ones keep me awake at night. 

Why does God allow bad candidates to win elections? 
Why do children suffer? 
Why do evil people prosper while good ones struggle? 

These are hard questions with no simple answers this side of heaven. I know sin is at the root of everything bad, and it’s been dragging its poison tentacles across the tender flesh of our world for millennia. Death, sin’s constant companion, has linked arms, and the pair goosesteps its way through time. Disease, destruction, and despair, like ugly triplets, ambush victims, leaving them battered and bewildered. 

But there is truth that gives me hope: Paul, in Romans 8, says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” 

Then he explains what we are experiencing: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (v. 20). 

This is what believers in Jesus Christ have to look forward to—liberation from decay and glorious freedom. 

Paul describes our predicament: “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

Ah, the hope of redemption, the full rights of an adopted child, the sinless perfection of eternity.

“For in this hope we (are) saved.” 

I don’t know why bananas make your teeth feel sticky or why I always find one more dirty glass after I’ve drained the dishwater. I don’t know why bad candidates win elections or why children suffer. 

But I do know one day God will right every wrong and heal every hurt. He’ll throw death and hell into the Lake of Fire along with Satan and his angels. He’ll wipe every tear from our eyes, and we’ll never hurt or grieve again. 

On big question days, there’s a whole lot of comfort in this. 

What about you? What gives you comfort on days when life’s questions seem overwhelming? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and leave your comment. 



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Joining the Thanksgiving Choir

One of the most difficult commands in the Bible is this: 

“In every thing give thanks . . .” (1 Thes. 5:18). 

In everything? 

Really, Lord? Do you know what everything includes? 

Sickness 
Broken relationships 
Wayward children 
Unemployment 
Conflict 
Heartbreak 
Uncertainty 
Need 
Political and societal unrest 
Death 
Loss 
Grief 
Pain 
Disappointment 
Loneliness 
Fear 

In everything, Lord? 

I read something curious in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah that reminded me of the high value God puts on the spiritual discipline of thanksgiving. Nehemiah 12:8, identifies six Levites who were given the task of leading “the thanksgiving.” 

Later in the chapter, Nehemiah describes how he “appointed two large thanksgiving choirs” and instructed them to march and sing their way around the city. 

Listen to what happened when they marched around the city thanking God: “God had made them rejoice with great joy,” so that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off” (v. 43). 

This is the incredible power of thanksgiving. 

Even if we don’t feel joyful when we begin giving thanks, before long, our spirits begin to lift. Listing the things for which we’re thankful reminds us how good God has been to us, even in the midst of dark days. Thanksgiving turns our eyes away from our circumstances and lifts them to God, whose love is far greater than our circumstances. 

Then our spiritual act of worship through thanksgiving begins to reverberate. People around us notice our grateful attitudes. They marvel at our joy despite our trials. They scratch their heads and wonder how we can rejoice during suffering. They want to know more about the God who gives us this unexplainable joy. Before long, our joy is heard “afar off,” and our ability to witness for Christ is magnified. 

Our family has been riding the roller coaster of unemployment and job hunting. The morning I read this passage in Nehemiah, we were particularly discouraged. 

Our daily routine involves walking and praying around our neighborhood, but this morning we did something different. Instead of praying for our needs, we decided to join our voices in a “thanksgiving choir.” No requests, no intercession, just good old-fashioned thankfulness. Like a ping-pong match, we batted blessings back and forth. 

“Thank you, Lord, for fresh starts and new mercies.” 
“Thank you for family.” 
“Thank you for a safe neighborhood to live in.” 
“Thank you for meeting our needs according to your riches and glory.” 
“Thank you for hope.” 

And on and on it went. We walked for almost an hour and never ran out of blessings to be thankful for. 

As a bonus, we met a new neighbor. Within a few moments, we had discovered a mutual faith and love for Jesus. As I told a friend later, “We had church right there in the middle of the street.” 

Our discouraging day became a joyful day simply because we obeyed God’s command to give thanks in everything. 

If you’re struggling with discouragement today, I’m saving you a seat next to me in the thanksgiving choir. You’ll be surprised by how verbalizing your thanks will lift your spirits and fill your heart with a hopeful joy that can’t help but splash over onto someone else. 

If you’ve already a thanksgiving choir member, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how gratitude has impacted your life. Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and leave a comment. I’d love to hear how God has used thanksgiving in your life.





If you're reading by email, click here to be encouraged by Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons.






If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Refusing to Ride the Worry Train

“Sue, I’d like to talk with you about a problem. I’ll see you in my office first thing Monday morning.” 

Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret? 

Or how about a phone call like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Buster’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry. 


When was the last time you were afraid? Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue? 

Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness: 

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deu. 8:2). 

But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices—we can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith. 

When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ? 

If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well. 

When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us. 

When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God. 

When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus. 

When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .” 

When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We reign in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination. 

If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be? 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior,” (Isa. 43:1-3). 

What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and leave a record of your thoughts.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

5 Ways to Search for God

In the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as two terminally ill men on a road trip. Each has a wish list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” 

I’ve never seen the movie, and I’m not terminally ill, but I do have a bucket list. I hoped to accomplish one of the items on my list this summer while on vacation at the beach. 


For years I’ve been fascinated by Loggerhead turtles. I’ve walked past their nests. I've seen volunteers inventory nests after they hatch, but I’ve never seen a live Loggerhead. 

Edisto Island, our favorite beach retreat, is a mama turtle’s paradise. How could she resist the soft sand, low traffic, and turtle-savvy population of the island, I wondered. This year I was determined to do everything I could to see a mother turtle lay her eggs.  

Strolling the beach the first afternoon, I spotted nest after nest high on the dunes. Cordoned off with fluorescent orange tape, the neatly labeled nests were proof that the turtle patrol had been hard at work. 

“I’d really like to see a turtle come ashore and lay her eggs,” I told one of the volunteers. “When would be the best time to walk the beach?” 

“Oh, they lay any time after dark,” she said. “We’ve had reports of nestings at 10 p.m., midnight, three a.m. It’s hard to say. ” 

The first night my husband and I walked down to Beach Access #9 an hour after sunset and turned toward the pier. The moon was a huge silver spotlight hanging low over the ocean, directing our path and illuminating the shoreline. The breeze was cool, and the sand was hard-packed and smooth. We made the two-mile walk easily. We didn’t see a turtle, but we thoroughly enjoyed our walk. 

The next night we headed down to the beach at midnight. The moon was again full and bright. Although we were tired from a long day of sun and sea, the breeze was gentle, and the walk was easy. We walked in the opposite direction on the beach from the night before, but still, no turtle. 


Photo credit Carlos RiosWhen we returned to the beach the next morning, however, we saw three sets of tracks beginning and ending in the ocean. Apparently mama turtles on Edisto prefer the after-midnight hours of the morning for egg laying. Aaaarg! So close! 

The final night of our hunt, we awakened spontaneously at 3 a.m. Since we knew we’d have the luxury of sleeping in the next day, we decided to walk down to the ocean. This is the night. I thought. I KNOW we’ll see a turtle this time. 

That night, however, it was pitch black. No moon shone to light our path. Because it was considerably later, the tide was high, rising almost to the footings of the beachfront houses. Squeezed between the splashing waves and the dunes, were had to walk on soft, squishy sand, guided only by the light of my cell phone. A strong breeze blew, pushing against us as we slipped and struggled. 

At one point, the bank gave way, dumping us in a sandy heap on the damp shore. The two mile walk to the pier and back seemed much longer than it ever had. Where’s the moon? It’s so dark I couldn’t see a turtle if I stumbled over her. Why is this sand so difficult to walk on? Why does the pier seem so far away? All of a sudden, turtle hunting wasn’t fun, or exciting, or even pleasant. It was hard work. 

When we left Edisto without seeing a Loggerhead, I thought about the spiritual parallels between finding turtles and finding God. 

Some days, like the first two of our search, seeking God is easy. The cool breeze of pleasant circumstances blow, the light of insight shines brightly, and the spiritual path ahead is level and secure. 

Other times seeking God is more like our third day. There is little spiritual light to guide my path, no level terrain for my pilgrim's feet, and no protection from the winds of opposition. I slog ahead, wondering if there is any reward waiting for me. 

The good news is, unlike my elusive turtle, God wants to be found. 

“You will seek me and find me,” God says, “when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). 

And “ . . . anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6). 

I don’t know what you’ve done recently in your search for God, but I have a few suggestions. I promise—if you follow them, you’ll be much more successful at finding God than I was at finding a turtle. 


1. Begin with God’s Word, the Bible. This love letter from God is the primary way he reveals himself to us. 

2. Read it with an open mind. 

3. Ask yourself, What does this passage tell me about God? Write down your answer. 

4. Pray and ask God to reveal himself to you, then watch for his answer. He may speak to you through the Bible, a pastor, a wise friend or godly counselor, or your circumstances. God even reveals himself through nature (Rom. 1). 

5. Attend a church that teaches the Bible. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to spend time with their family. The church is made up of God’s children, and they’ll be glad to introduce you to their Father. If you need help finding a church near you, click HERE.

Despite my diligent search, the closest I came to seeing a Loggerhead turtle was her tracks. Thankfully, I’ve been much more successful at seeking the Lord. Over the last 30+ years, he’s been eager to reveal himself to me through the Bible, other believers, circumstances, and nature. I think you’ll find him equally responsive if you seek him with all your heart. 

What about you? How has the Lord revealed himself to you? I’d like to hear your experience.  Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and leave a comment.



If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

God Wants to Say Yes

I could tell the group of writers gathered around me was discouraged. No surprising, since I’d just spent an hour telling them all the writing mistakes that make editors reject their submissions. Poor grammar. Inappropriate subject matter. Wrong word count. Improper formatting. The list was long and intimidating. 

I could read their thoughts from their faces. How will I ever remember all this? I might as well quit now. I have no chance of ever being published. 

My next words made their long faces even longer. “And whether you like the guidelines or not, the editor holds all the cards. She has the ultimate authority to accept or reject your work, because she’s the editor. She wrote the rules, and you have to follow them if you want to write for her publication.” 

But then I said something that made their gloomy faces perk up. “I want to tell you a secret,” I said, and waited until everyone was looking at me. “It’s true that there are a lot of reasons for an editor to say no. But deep down inside, she wants to say yes.” 

My statement surprised many of the attendees. They assumed that the long list of requirements to get an article accepted means editors are looking for reasons to reject an article. “On the contrary,” I said. “It gives an editor great joy to accept a submission that follows the rules of the publication. 

At the risk of calling down lightening from heaven, I’ll make another surprising statement: Editors are a lot like God. 

Stay with me. By the end of this post, I think you’ll agree. 

An editor has one goal in mind—to put together the best book/magazine/ezine possible. In order to do this, she (or the publication she works for) creates a set of guidelines. This helps writers know exactly what’s expected of them. 

If they follow the guidelines, guess what? Their book or article gets accepted, and they are happily on their way to publication. If they don’t, the editor rejects their work. No arguing. No explaining. No second chances. Zip. Zilch. Nada. 

In the spiritual realm, God is our editor. He has one goal in mind—to have a relationship with us. To help relate to him, he created a set of guidelines. Unlike the pages and pages of writers’ guidelines, however, the simple version of God’s requirements can be summed up in one sentence: “. . . if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). 

Even more than magazine and book editors, though, God really really wants to say yes to us. To make it easy for people to understand his guidelines, he sent judges, kings, and prophets to help explain them. Then he inspired them to write down everything he said, so we could have a permanent record.

And if that wasn’t enough, he came down to earth in the form of his Son. This was for the people who said, “It’s hard to believe in a God I can’t see. But if he appears to me, THEN I’ll believe.”

Guess what? He did, and they didn’t. 

As a magazine editor, I occasionally encounter a writer who argues with me about my magazine’s guidelines. “I’m an individual, and I don’t appreciate having my creativity stifled by having to follow your rules. I prefer to write according to my own rules.” 

Writers like this are like those who reject God’s law and choose to go their own way. Romans 1 describes them this way: They “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. . .” 

Like an editor, whether we like his guidelines or not, God holds all the cards. He has the ultimate authority to accept or reject us, because he is God. He wrote the rules, and we must follow them if we want him to accept us. 

But the good news is, God wants to say yes. And he’s done everything possible so he can. 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh (according to our own guidelines), but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

For what the law (my own attempts at pleasing God) could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1-4). 

Now it’s time for me to ask: Whose guidelines are you following? Your own, or God’s? When you die and stand before him, and he asks you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” will he accept you or reject you? 

If you’re not sure, click here to read more about how to have a relationship with God. I think you’ll be happy to discover that he wants to say YES. If you already have a relationship with God, please consider sharing this with a friend or on social media. 

And if you’re a writer in the Columbia, SC, area and would like to attend this Saturday’s (July 23, 2016) Summer Seminar for Christian Writers where other writing professionals and myself will be presenting workshops to help you grow as a writer (including the workshop I’ve referenced above, “10 Mistakes that Make Magazine Editors Say No”), CLICK HERE for more information.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

What to Do When Your Situation Seems Hopeless

It was ugly.

And scary.
Photo credit Kristen Hatcher
You’d think a force of 400,000 valiant warriors would be enough to guarantee a victory, but the enemy had 800,000. Outnumbered two to one by a superior fighting force, things weren’t looking good for the army of Judah.

But instead of raising the white flag of surrender, Abijah, the army’s king, took a bold stand.

“Don’t you know that the Lord God of Israel gave us this land?” (2 Chr. 13:15) he shouted across no-man’s land to Jeroboam and his army. “You turned your back on him, but as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him.”

Then he issued a final warning: “Do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper.”

You’d think, after making such a declaration of trust in God, things would have gotten better. But they didn’t. Battle conditions went South faster than a college kid on Spring Break.

While Abijah was telling the front half of the army what he thought of it, the back half was sneaking around behind him to set up an ambush.

“When Judah looked around, to their surprise, the battle line was at both front and rear.” Like a bowl of M&Ms in a room full of toddlers, they were not only surrounded, but about to be consumed.

But if brave Abijah and his army were going down, they were going down with God’s name on their lips.

“They cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout.”

Guess what happened next?

“God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand.”

Five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain . . . “and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.”

I don’t know about you, but some days I feel like Abijah and his army. Surrounded by things that seem too powerful to overcome in my own strength, I have two choices: surrender or stand.

Will we surrender to the emotions and circumstances that threaten our peace, safety, and well being? Or will we stand on the promises of God’s Word and trust his power to meet our needs, defend our cause, and deliver our souls?

When the battle grows fierce around us and the enemy squeezes hard on all sides, there’s only one true option for the children of God. We must stand our ground, cry out to the Lord, and watch for his deliverance.

Are you facing a challenge that seems impossible? I pray God will give you the faith to stand, cry out to him, and wait for the victory.


To help Abijah's message stay with you today, here's a musical reminder. If you're reading by email, click here to hear Petra's "The Battle Belongs to the Lord."





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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

3 Ways to Stay Positive When You Feel Negative

Some days I bounce out of bed. Other days I drag. 

Some days my prayers soar to the heavens. Other days I struggle to ask in faith. 

Some days I speak encouraging words that build others up and inspire their faith. Other days I speak fearful, worrisome words that direct their eyes to circumstances and trouble their faith. 

Some days I focus on every good and perfect gift God has given me. Other days I catalog everything I don’t like about my life and my circumstances. 

I suspect I’m not alone. You struggle too. Staying positive when we feel negative is easier some days than others, and it’s almost always a battle. 

But it’s a battle we must fight. 

Negativity comes when we take our eyes off God and focus instead on our circumstances or feelings. Like a kitchen fire, it starts small but can quickly burn a house down. To tolerate or ignore it is to invite our own destruction. 


So how do we quench the fires of negativity? 

Here’s my three-step formula: 

1. STOP. As soon as your brain starts walking down the path of negativity, put the brakes on. Reign in those thoughts and don’t allow them to run away with your happiness.  
Negativity is sneaky. Like a looter during a power outage, it gathers everything that makes you happy and spirits it away. Then it heaps up everything bad it can find and presents the pile to you with a flourish and an evil grin. 

As soon as we recognize this sneaky joy thief, we must take action. Sometimes this is as simple as saying aloud, “NO, I’m not going to think negatively, fret, or grumble.” 

2. DROP. Drop the woe and replace it with wow. It’s not easy just to stop thinking negatively. We have to fill the void with something else. Philippians 4:8 tells us what that “something else” is: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.” 

Choosing to replace our negative, pessimistic, gloom and doom thoughts with positive, hope-filled, upward-looking thoughts is an act of self-discipline. If we practice, it will become easier and eventually become our default setting. 

3. ROLL. Roll your cares off your frail, weak shoulders and onto God’s big, strong ones. As the old hymn says, “Have a little talk with Jesus.” It sounds simplistic, but praying about what we’re struggling with is amazingly powerful in at least three ways. 

First, it moves us from powerlessly spinning our wheels to tapping into the greatest force for change available. Second, it forces us to acknowledge our helplessness and our need of God’s help. Finally, it opens the door for peace to enter our hearts. 

Philippians 4:6-7 commands us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

So the next time negativity threatens your happiness, I encourage you to stop, drop, and roll. By tapping into the strength of self-discipline, the truth of God’s word, and the power of prayer, you can quench the fire of negativity and embrace the peace and joy God intends for you.

What about you? Do you struggle with negativity? How do you fight it? I'd love it if you'd share your thoughts in the comment box. If you're reading via email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online, then scroll down to the bottom of the post to comment.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

An Unexpected Dinner Invitation

Oh my goodness. 

You open your mail, and there it is—an invitation to dine with the President of the United States. Or a member of Parliament. Or a foreign ambassador. Or the president of a Fortune 500 company. 

How do you respond? 

My first thought would be, what in the world am I going to wear? Then I’d wonder what will I talk about? What if I sound stupid? I might even wonder what if I don’t know which fork to use or drop something in my lap? 

I have a friend who has trained hundreds of people in the fine art and etiquette of dining with the rich and famous. I don’t know if she’s ever coached someone invited to dine with the Queen, but I know she’s helped more than a few nervous Nellies prepare for White House dinners. 

I thought about my friend Carolyn today when I read about a man who received an invitation to dine with the king. Unlike some of the people Carolyn has trained, this man isn’t completely ignorant of the protocol that surrounds political get-togethers. He is the grandson of a deposed monarch and has early memories of the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the arrival of heads of state to the royal palace. 

But times changed. The political coup that killed his father and grandfather threatened him, too. Fleeing under cover of darkness, the nurse who had spirited him away stumbled, crushing both his feet under her considerable weight. He’s limped painfully ever since. 

But life isn’t all bad. 

Despite his disability, he married and started a family--a fine boy and a wife who loves him despite his limitations. They’ve kept a low profile. Nobody connects the crippled man with the bright child he’d once been, trained and poised to one day inherit the throne. 

He knows the glory days are long past. Never again will he eat in grand style from the king’s table. These days, it’s a challenge just to feed his family and not be a burden on the kind friends who have taken them in. Dreaming about what could have been does him no good. His approach is simple: Keep your head down, avoid questions, and don’t call attention to yourself. 

Until the invitation comes. The king has summoned you to appear before him.  

He’s heard stories of what conquering kings do to the families of those they’ve vanquished. As the king’s guard waits, sunlight glinting off the sharp point of his spear, he hugs his son, kisses his wife, and closes the door behind him. 

Every walk he takes is awkward and slow, but today’s shuffling journey to the throne room seems to take hours. Fear makes him stumble once, then again. The sweat that trickles from his brow drips into his eyes, clouding his vision. Bowing low before the king, he wonders, what does it feel like to have your head cut off? Lord, in your mercy, make it quick. 

But the blade never comes. Instead, he hears words he never expected to hear. 

"Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table" (2 Sam. 9:7). 

You will always eat at my table. 

Amazing grace. Undeserved favor. Bountiful provision. 

“And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet” (2 Sam. 9:7). 

The Bible story of Mephibosheth has become one of my favorites, because his story is my story, too. 

I, too, was crippled when I ran from the King. With every act of selfishness, pride, and independence, my soul became more and more deformed. I deserved death because my self-centered disobedience defied the one who ruled the universe. Undeniably guilty, I knew I had offended the holy and perfect God who made me. 

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” 

“For the wages of sin is death,” 

Broken, hopeless, and afraid, I joined Mephibosheth as he bowed before the King and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (2 Sam. 9:8) 

But in his mercy, my King didn’t give me what I deserved. 

Instead, he extended his hand of grace and forgiveness in the form of his Son, Jesus Christ. He invited me to sit at his table all the days of my life. He adopted me into his family and promised to love and care for me forever. 

What about you? Can you identify with Mephibosheth and with me? Have you been hiding? Hiding from others, hiding from your circumstances, hiding from God? If so, I have good news. You don’t have to run anymore. The King has extended an invitation: “Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness . . .” 

If you’d like to know more about what it means to have a relationship with God, receive forgiveness for your sins, and know for sure you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven one day, CLICK HERE. And if you already have a relationship with the King, why not share this post with someone you care about. I’d love to tell them about the place at the table God has set just for them.

And if you're within driving distance of Columbia, SC, TAKE NOTICE.
Do you enjoy writing? Do you suspect that God might be calling you to do something with your ability? Do you have words, stories, and ideas that you wish you could communicate better to others? Whether you're an embryonic writer, a toddler writer, or an all grown up and married writer, I'd like you invite you to attend the Lexington chapter of Word Weavers' Summer Writing Workshop on Saturday, July 23. 

Teaching by industry professionals, relevant and practical topics, and a CHICK FIL A lunch--it doesn't get any better. I'll be teaching two workshops, "10 Mistakes that Make Magazine Editors Say No"  and "Let It Go -- Why It Pays to Give Your Writing Away."  Don't wait. There's a rock-bottom price for early registrants. 


Click HERE for all the glorious details. 




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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher