Guest Post: Lisa Smith

Today you are going to hear from my dear friend, Lisa Smith. I have so much I want to say about Lisa right now, I’m afraid to keep writing, lest I spew one long run-on sentence onto my post.





I don’t remember when Lisa and I discovered each other in blog land, but I do remember it was over a series of comments we left on each other’s posts. Things like, “We think so much alike…are you sure you aren’t my sister?” And “I just posted on this exact same thing!” Post after post, our hearts were in perfect cadence with one another. It was almost scary.

We have never met in person (yet) but I feel like I’ve known her my entire life. So it was a no-brainer when I considered who I may want to grace my writing chair while I was preparing for my up-coming writer’s conference. I knew I wanted it to be Lisa.

What happened between the time she said “yes” to my request and the time this post appears is nothing short of shocking. I’ll let her tell you about it:

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When I agreed to guest post here on God Speaks Today, I had no idea that I’d be in a place where I need God to speak today. More than ever before, I desperately need God to speak today.

Almost three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with cancer; a rare and aggressive form of cancer that needs a specialist that my insurance hasn’t agreed to pay for yet. I have a husband and four young children. I need to hear God speak today. More than anything else, I must hear His voice.

It has been through this diagnosis that I have seen God’s provision each day. This is a journey in trust. I still don’t have any more information about my cancer than I did the day I was diagnosed. I still don’t have an effective treatment plan implemented. My insurance still hasn’t agreed to pay for my treatment. I need to hear God’s voice and even see God’s hand each day. I need to know that I know that I know God still speaks today.

God has not shown me a clear path for the future but He has shown me a clear step for each day. He has answered one question at a time. My response to people who are asking, “What do you need?” has been this, “I have everything I need for today.”
Because that is how we are now living. One.day.at.a.time.

The very provision or miracle I need for that day’s appointments to be scheduled, that day’s doctors to be seen, that day’s tests to be run and that day’s needs to be met is always provided. Sometimes so easily I almost take it for granted and sometimes so miraculously I weep at God’s goodness.

As I prayed about what I would say to you, the readers of God Speaks Today, I heard just that, “God speaks today.”

Let me explain.

I began my blog for one purpose. God told me to write. I needed some accountability so I started a blog. Last year, I felt God ask me to step it up a notch. I began to write every day. Starting in January 2009, I made a really conscious effort to spend time in His presence writing each day. It is during this time, my time with Him in the secret place that He speaks. God gives me a message each day. Each message is different. Each message is tailor made for my heart. Each message is meant to encourage those who hear it.

Even though I was receiving from the Lord each day last year, I didn’t always make it to my computer to type. So I began placing writing prompts in my journal to save my ideas. I reasoned that once I had more time to sit in front of my computer I’d develop and share all the good words God had given me.

It seemed like I had a new message for each day so I gave little thought to using my past writing prompts. It wasn’t until December 2009 that I actually had time to go back through my journal and try to finish out some of my notes. As I flipped through my journal from the year, I tried to transfer some of what had been in my head to my computer.

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to begin writing and the words just fell flat. The stories just weren’t flowing. I mean, the words were on the page but they had no life. They would not grip a reader’s interest or their emotions in the least bit because they didn’t even grab mine!

The Lord simply told me that there is a new word for a new day. The needs from day to day differ so yesterday’s word doesn’t satisfy today’s need. Quite simply God told me…

He speaks today.

Just as the Israelites gathered manna and had only enough for one day, God’s word to me is enough for one day. If I save it and don't use it, it rots. Even if I don’t think it’s enough, it still satisfies. God’s word is for today. God’s word was for yesterday. And, God’s word will be for tomorrow.

God speaks today. And it’s never too late to listen.

“God said to Moses, "I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day's ration… The People of Israel went to work and started gathering, some more, some less, but when they measured out what they had gathered, those who gathered more had no extra and those who gathered less weren't short—each person had gathered as much as was needed. Moses said to them, "Don't leave any of it until morning." But they didn't listen to Moses. A few of the men kept back some of it until morning. It got wormy and smelled bad… They gathered it every morning, each person according to need. Then the sun heated up and it melted… so you would learn that men and women don't live by bread only; we live by every word that comes from God's mouth… You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.”

(Exodus 16:4, 17-21 & Deuteronomy 8:3b & Philippians 4:19 The Message)

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Lisa, thank you from the bottom of my heart for agreeing to still write this post when your entire life has been turned upside down. You’ve made my cry more in the last few weeks than I have in months. I love you, dear Sister. And I’m honored and humbled to call you friend.






Readers: Please lift Lisa and her precious family up in prayer. And leave her a comment on my blog or at hers letting her know you are doing so. Be God’s voice to her today.