Real.

I'm always fascinated with the ways in which the Lord speaks to me and reveals things to me. I'm in awe every time. Lately he's been answering prayers and giving me confirmation in some really explicit ways.

First, I was feeling a little down and wanted to run to a friend, but the Lord reminded me that I needed to go to Him first for comfort. I sat down and began writing out a prayer, telling the Lord how I felt and asking for comfort. I was in mid-sentence telling Him I kept resisting the urge to call my best friend when my phone rang--it was her. It was just the comfort I needed and the comfort I craved, and He gave it to me as soon as I went to Him.

The second had less immediate gratification. I've been praying for weeks now about whether I should be president of my sorority next year. We had nominations two weeks ago, and I was nominated along with five or six other girls. I've still been praying that the Lord would show me if I should run for the position and put the right girl in the position even if it's not me. We have elections later tonight. As of this morning, all the other girls have taken their names off the ballot for president. It's just me. Talk about confirmation.

I think we often have this picture of God that He listens to our prayers and even answers them, but that he does so in an ambiguous way that's hard to understand and we won't see His voice or hand until months or years later. Sometimes that's true; but sometimes His answers and His provision are just as explicit and concrete as if coming from a friend. He's real. His love is real. His provision is real.