Page 36 of Share with Me

Ivan gagged, and started to cough and choke as the coffee went down the wrong way. Sebastian scooted over and slapped him hard on his back. Ivan elbowed him away.

“Do you see the progression?” Ivan said after he cleared his throat.

No one said anything.

“There are four steps to Proverbs 3:5-6. Let me paraphrase the verse.” Ivan scrolled down the screen on his iPad and read aloud. “Firstly, I trust in God with all my heart. Secondly, I don’t depend on my own understanding. Thirdly, I acknowledge God at all times. Fourthly, He will direct my steps.”

“So it begins with trusting God and ends with His direction for our lives,” Matt said.

“Exactly. It’s not the other way around. We aren’t going to get directions from God if we don’t trust Him. We trust Him first and then He’ll show us what His perfect will is, and we’ll know where to go and what to do.”

“What if we already know what to do?” Sebastian asked.

“I would want to be sure that what I want to do lines up with God’s best for my life.” Ivan paused at his own words.Wow. I need to hear that myself.“Okay, guys. Excellent discussion. Any praises and prayer requests?”

“I have another one.” Sebastian raised his hand. “Most of you know that my sister, Skye, is a personal chef. One of her clients moved away, so she needs a new client.”

“Pray for Skye.” Ivan tapped his iPad.

“Business is going well at my antique store,” Matt said. “Things could be better at my thrift shop next door. Not sure if it’s too late to pray that I had made the right move buying the thrift shop. If not, I need to get this straightened out so I can have God’s will for my life.”

Everyone made notes.

Ivan had a prayer request too, but he wasn’t sure how to say it.I’m interested in a nonbeliever, so help me God?

“My grandma is witnessing to my brother’s sister-in-law,” he said instead. “Please pray for her to be saved. Her name is Brinley Brooks.”

“Oh, super rich heiress,” Gunther said. “Twenty six years old. Trust fund material. Very eligible.”

Ivan ignored him. “And I need more students for my music studio and more gigs for SISO. No work, no pay.”

“I know what you mean,” Sebastian said. “Same here with Saffron on Jekyll and Sage Cafe down at the Village. I need more customers. No cooking, no pay.”

Ivan’s iPad said that it was already 6:40 a.m. “Let’s be thinking about Proverbs 3:5-6 and ask God to show us points of application this week. You know what’s going to happen if we do that?”

“We’re gonna be tested,” one of the other men replied.

“We have less than twenty minutes to pray and then we’re out of here,” Ivan said. “Who wants to start?”

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