On my kids’ school supply list, my daughter needed a scientific calculator. There was a part of me that just wanted to go out and buy her one and I knew that I could get one for

Me: School starts in another week and I still don’t have a calculator for H.
Holy Spirit: I know.
Me: So, where am I going to get the calculator? I missed the 25% off coupon at Staples. Susie suggested WalMart. None of my siblings have a scientific calculator to give H.
Holy Spirit: I know.
Me: What should I do?
Holy Spirit: {silence}

Me: Okay, it’s now 4 days until school. Hey, there’s a scientific calculator. It can do a bunch of stuff and it’s on Clearance and way marked down. It’s under $8. Should I get this?
Holy Spirit: Wait.
Me: It’s on clearance. If I wait and come back, it probably won’t be on clearance again and I won’t be out near this Target again for another week or 2. It’s on clearance! Do you see that? It’s even for less than I expected to pay.
Holy Spirit: You expected to pay $5 or less originally. Now you’re willing to pay almost $8? . . . Wait.
Me: So, are you saying to get the calculator? It’s not even $8. I can use the Target gift card in my purse. There’s enough on it.
Holy Spirit: {silence}
Me: Okay, I’m getting it.

After picking up my daughter from her aunt’s.

Me: Hey, H, I got you a scientific calculator and I got a great deal on it!
Daughter: Auntie got me a calculator.
Me: Oh? Where?
Daughter: At the Dollar Store.
Me: Is it a scientific calculator?
Daughter: Yes. It can do algebra, geometry, and a lot of other things.
Me: How much did she pay for it?
Daughter: $1
Me: Are you serious? Really? 1?
Me: {incredibly humbled}

I looked at both calculators and they had the same things, minus mine was solar powered & bigger.

Often the Holy Spirit speaks very softly to me in many situations. However, there are times He speaks loudly. Pretty much 100% of the time when I ignore or discount what I’m hearing/sensing or whatever you call it, I’m humbled in one form or another.

I’m still learning how to discern between whether it’s the Holy Spirit speaking, my flesh, or someone not in alignment with God for my life.

I do know that when I am doing what God tells me to do, there is peace, whether what I’m being asked to do makes sense to me logically or not. A lot of times it seems crazy or foolish to my logic, but there is a calming peace always. If there’s anxiety, that is not from God. Similar, if there is fear, lust, greed, those are not from God.

I do believe God speaks to everyone, but people’s ability to be able to hear can be dulled, blocked/thwarted, hindered by all sorts of things. I do believe also there are times or points in our lives where we can no longer hear God due to our own choices and wills, and God has given those to what they desire – that is, to block Him from their lives.

Some people may think compared to many people, that I may be close to God. However, so many situations present themselves that still show how very self-centered I am, wanting to assert my own way over God’s. The calculator, though a very small thing to most, is a prime example.

God’s timing is always perfect and on time. It is always best. He works on His own timetable, not mine. So, I get another opportunity to humble myself before God, repent and ask for forgiveness.

It’s all about Him, not me. I’m thankful God is a patient teacher.