Pick Up The Phone By Gabriell Larson

When I was in middle school I played on an exclusive volleyball team. The type of team that required late-night practices, early morning weight lifting, strict diet, and good grades to be a part of. I can say for a fact that in those years, volleyball was the center of my world. To be considered for this team there was a series of tryouts that happened for 2 days. After tryouts were completed, if you were chosen for a team the coach would contact you within a week to let you know you made the cut. Nerve-racking as you can imagine. Looking back, there was one year, in particular, that stands out to me. The teams were separated by age; that year my friends and I were 14. Tryouts went great, I remember a feeling of performance satisfaction as I was assured that I would make the 14-year-old’s team.

The day came when the coach called around to the girls she had picked to be on her team. Well, I waited and waited for the phone to ring, but each time it would ring it was another friend telling me she made the team. Midnight came around as I started to cry hysterically in my mom’s bed, self-criticizing my every move on tryout day. I woke up the next morning feeling left out and less than... I went to school and sat through all my friends talking about how excited they were to try on the new uniforms and warm-up jerseys. I remember crying between each class in the bathroom, again feeling less than... I walked home that day calling on God asking, “why didn’t I get a call?” “How come they didn’t want me?” “Why am I not good enough?” These questions circled my mind all the way home. I got home and started my homework as my parents attempted to comfort their left out child. The phone rang, but at that point, I didn’t even flinch as I thought all my volleyball opportunities were gone for that season. My mom answered and looked at me and said, “it’s for you.” I remember looking up at her with tears as I grabbed the phone. It was a coach but not one I recognized. It was a coach from 2 levels up - the 16-year-old’s coach was on the phone to tell me I have been chosen for her team. I can still feel how shocked I was, even today. Once the phone was hung up, I remember thanking God with every ounce in my body. Thanking Him for a new and rare opportunity.

I thanked Him for making something I felt was so destructive into something new, something I could grow into. An opportunity of joy, peace, and glory. Grab your bible & read Jeremiah 33:1-11, paying attention to this verse:

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (CSB)

I felt like Jeremiah, confined in the guard’s courtyard struggling to find a bright side to my new found situation.

Did you notice how I didn’t lean on God once during my 24 plus hours of distress? I fell into selfdoubt and characteristic blame before I picked up the “phone” to call God. I am sure Jeremiah had a similar conversation with himself before calling God. It wasn’t until my walk home that I realized that I don’t have to sit with my questions alone, God has the answers. God surely let me know great and incomprehensible things, things that I did not know. God tells Jeremiah that people were on the way to fight the Chaldeans. God said that he will strike down using wrath and rage and fill the houses with the bodies of their people. God made it clear that he was ashamed of the city because of their evil however God wanted to promote growth, healing, and prosperity throughout the city. Now with the Chaldeans gone, the growth could start while God rebuilt Judah and Israel and restored their previous homes with fortune and purity. God made the city new and He shined forgiveness on the city and the city cried out to thank God in return for an opportunity filled with joy, peace, and glory.

Here are several questions to ask yourself:

1. What is something great and incomprehen- sible that God may reveal to you if you only ask?

2. God wants you to pick up the “phone” to call him so that he can shine wisdom and insight into your situation. How can you call him today?

3. In what ways has God already rebuilt a destructive time in your life?

Share your answers with me https://www.facebook.com/gracewithgabriell

Hello all! I’m Gabriell - I am a farm wife from southern MN with 2 fur babies! I have a fulltime job as a Mental Health Practitioner! Other than excessively watching Netflix - my hobby is writing! I have been called to share my experiences with God through a Facebook Page that is for Christian Women. I love connecting with others and sharing my stories! Thank you for helping me grow!

Gabriell Larson