Make Space for Me

Sometime back, in the not too distant past, I believe God gave me a “duh” moment.

Duh: a statement perceived as obvious

I’d begun to feel distance between myself and a friend and thoughts would come: “she must be mad at me” - and that vein of thought would cause me to hesitate in reaching out and communicating. (You know, because ‘she must need space, she’s working through something'.) The same way a river carves out and widens an eroding riverbank, time widens these friendship gaps and before long I’d isolate myself, drowning in thoughts of negativity, and eventually: “woe is me, frustrated & friendless.”

Surely I’ve aged past all the pre-teen drama llama ludicrous laments. I felt God poke me. How could all of this been avoided?

...By making space for her. By carrying her name to Him in prayer. By reaching out with a simple and sincere “I’m here if you need me.” By bringing myself to the foot of the cross and seeking wisdom, whether in how to help, or how to remain quiet and still.

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Another scenario. Does anyone have a penguin friend? The friend that “touches” or “reaches” by sending memes, reels, funnies, sweet heartfelt stories, an overabundance of emojis or gifs? What about the friend that brings physical tangible gifts, regardless of how small? They’re expressing love and affection like a penguin. They’re dropping off pebbles at your feet. More often than not, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the whispered plea... “Make space for me”.

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As I was dwelling on this, riding down the road, I heard it repeated loudly in my mind - Make Space for Me. Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.

We are created in the image of God - He intricately designed our emotions and hardwired our minds. God has emotions, just like we do. Happiness, Sadness, Jealousy, Anger, Loneliness...

It’s been said that the emotion of loneliness is a call to prayer. Let's explore that. God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day - and when He went to walk with them the day they partook of the forbidden fruit, He called out for them when they were not where they should have been.

It's similar to God waiting for me to commune with Him on days I postpone prayer. I'm not referring to prayers before meals, now I lay me down to sleep prayers, but the prayer that ushers us into His presence, and His anointing flows in us and through us. What happens if I neglect my sacred prayer time altogether? God's there, waiting to hear my voice - what immense loneliness and sadness I must evoke in my Savior.

The adversary slips in and puts lies in our mind, lies that we begin to believe. It's been a while, I haven't prayed like I should, maybe God is upset with me. Why would He want me to come groveling to Him?

Can I remind you of the father, standing on the porch awaiting the first sign of His prodigal son on the road returning home? At the first sign of his son, the Father ran, without abandon, to drape His robes about his shoulders and welcome him home.

My mind goes to the account of the Shunnamite Woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37. This woman was considered a "great woman", wealthy and influential. She may have appeared to have all she wanted, but something resonated inside of her - Make Space For Me. She and her husband made a room for Elisha. When asked what they could return to her for her kindness because she so painstakingly cared for their needs, she had no request - BUT GOD KNEW. She had made space for God, and His prophet - God knew her heart. Without her asking for it, Elisha prophesied she would have a son - and sure enough, she birthed a son. The years past, he grew, and one day while in the field with his father He called out "My Head, My Head!", was carried to his mother, and sat on her lap til evening and He died.

This account is one of my favorites to read. The Scripture shows no muss or fuss, she laid the child on the bed, went to her husband, asked him to send a servant and a donkey, she was going after the man of God. He asked "why are you going after him now?" and her response? "It will be alright." No explanation - but assurance.

As she approached Elisha and Gehazi, Elisha sent Gehazi to meet her and ask specifically - Is it well with you? Well with your husband? Well with your child?" Her response? It is Well.

She was waiting to get to the man of God. She clung to him and said - Did I ask you for a son? Did I not tell you to not lie to me?? Elisha sent Gehazi to the house ahead of him to lay his staff on the face of the child. When Elisha arrived, he prayed, stretched over the child, and eventually, the child sneezed and woke.

This mama, comfortable in life but lacking the voice of God, made space for Him in her life - and because of her sacrifice God fulfilled a promise of a child. When life and circumstances seemed to threaten that gift, she did the only thing she knew to do - she straight-faced full-of-faith'ed "It will be well" and "It is well" and she got ahold of God. She brought Him, larger-than-life into her home, and let the miracle take place. She gave space for the miracle. She gave space for the God of miracles.

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That's my God. He honors sacrifice - and He's looking for those who make space for Him.

Even though you may not have asked the Lord, He knows how to give good gifts to His children.

The seemingly mundane things, God is giving you small things, "pebbles", as a token of His love and protection. The sunshine, the rain, the means to pay your bills, the near-miss in traffic, the protective Hand that covers you... continue to Make Space for Him. When life threatens the promise, straight face it, all the way into His arms and talk to Him about it.

Everyday, I hear Him beckoning me - "Make Space for Me, Pam, Make Space for Me."

♡ Make Space For Me. -God