Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

A conversation with God

August 13, 2010  

image courtesy of photobucket.com

image courtesy of photobucket.com

I was at the book fair the other day and found a copy of The Prayer of Jabez for $2.99. I’d completely forgotten about that book. Which is odd considering how popular it was ten years ago. Seemed like everyone had a copy of that book. Or the Bible study. Or the journal. Or the workbook or the copy for teens or women.

It was quite the industry really, and the reasons for it were pretty apparent. Say a little prayer, and God will bless you in abundance. It almost seemed too good to be true, but there it was. There was even a verse to back it up.

I never bought a copy. Didn’t even buy the $2.99 copy at the book fair. Not because I didn’t (and still do) want to be blessed in abundance, but because once upon a time I said my own version of Jabez’s prayer without knowing it. The answer I got was a little different than his. And though that prayer was uttered at years ago, I still remember that conversation between God and me.

It was like this:

“You there, God?”

I’m always here.

“Can I tell You something?”

Of course you can.

“I have dreams.”

Wonderful! Everyone should have dreams.

“They’re great dreams. Really great.”

I should hope so.

“Yeah. So, I was wondering if, You know, You could make those dreams come true.”

Of course I can. Why else would I give them to you?

“Oh, I don’t know. Lots of reasons, I guess. Wait. You gave my dreams to me?”

Where else would they come from?

“I don’t know…me?”

I give you the desire. You do the work. Life is a partnership between you and Me. Not 50/50, though. More like 100/100. You give your all, I give Mine.

“Great! So I can have my dreams?”

If you work and you believe, yes. But certain things have to be done first.

“Like what?”

Great dreams require great people. So first, I must make you great.

“Now I like the sound of that. So I’ll be popular and rich?”

Popular and rich doesn’t equal greatness.

“Then what does?”

Love and kindness, faith and trust. Trust especially. You need to understand that it’s not your happiness I want, it’s your trust.

“Okay.”

Are you sure? This isn’t going to be easy for you.

“Sure it will. I can be that sort of person if it means I’ll have my dreams.”

You don’t become that sort of person to get your dreams, you get your dreams because you’re that sort of person. There’s a difference.

(Silence.)

You think your dreams will bring you success, but some of the most miserable people in the world are the ones who’ve gotten everything they’ve always wanted. Stuff doesn’t bring joy. Only I do.

“Oh. So maybe my dreams aren’t all that good for me?”

Parts are. Not all. But that’s okay. I can give you better things than those.

“When I become great.”

You don’t have to be great for Me to bless you. But for your dreams, yes. You must be great.

“I still want to be great, even without the dreams. But the dreams would be nice.”

Wonderful!

“So…when can we start?”

We can start now.

“I was hoping You’d say that. Then I pray You’ll give me love and kindness and faith and trust and make me great.”

Good. But remember, there are two things that I must give to everyone in order to make them great and realize the dreams I have for them.

“Grace and blessing?”

No. Time and trial.

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Comments

  • http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com A Simple Country Girl

    Just the other day I read something similar in my daily devotion book…don’t pray for things to go the way you want, pray for the strength to meet all that God brings before you. I reckon that includes the good, the bad, the ugly and the blessed.

    As usual, thank you for sharing your insight.

    Blessings.

  • http://www.journeyofwords.com Eric

    Wonderful conversation Billy….too many of us forget about that “time and trial” part sometimes…something I really needed to hear at this time….thanks….you touched my heart with this one…

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  • http://steeletheday.com Candy

    Did He say how much time? Wonderfully expressed, Billy. Love this.

  • http://tsholo.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/a-conversation-with-god/ A conversation with God « Hope In Love

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  • http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com Glynn

    There was a time at the church we attended that the Prayer of Jabez was discussed int he small Bible study group, taught in the adult Sunday School class and preached from the pulpit. That little book actually played a role in a church almost disintegrating. I knew we had a problem when Time Magazine did a story on it as the latest Christian “thing.”

    I like your conversation better. For one thing, it’s true.

  • http://thoughtsthatmove.blogspot.com/ Wendy

    Time and trial. Yes. I know this. And this sentence: “You need to understand that it’s not your happiness I want, it’s your trust.”– God, thank you for speaking through Billy’s blog post today.
    ~ Wendy

  • http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com Joyce

    Oh that pesky time and trial…it often spoils ‘our’ plans but makes a way for something better. We forget that sometimes. Great post!

  • http://asgoodadayasany.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/squabble-sisters/ Marilyn Yocum

    “not 50/50….More like 100/100″
    “time and trial”

    Excellent, Billy! Thanks for letting me eavesdrop.

  • http://heathersunseri.blogspot.com Heather Sunseri

    There are so many wonderful messages in this conversation you had with God. Thank you!! And thanks, God, for giving Billy the gift of words and the desire to share them with us.

  • http://debholmes1.blogspot.com Deb

    Oh yes… time and trial…nothing worse. nothing better.

  • http://hisfirefly.blogspot.com HisFireFly

    We seem to want the instant blessings, but time and trial produce so much richness, like beach glass, smoothed and polished by the crashing waves.

    Beautiful Billy.. and wise… and true.

  • http://www.moonboatcafe.com Cassandra Frear

    Ah, the road to maturity is a long one. And we never arrive, quite, in this life.

  • http://carolinebyline.blogspot.com caroline starr rose

    Well said, Billy.

  • http://dutchhillnews.blogspot.com Annie McMahon

    Time and trial. Right. So simple, but at the same time, so profound.

  • http://briancrussell.net/blog bman

    Great post, Billy! I think so many times (and one of the main, driving factors of the success of the Prayer of Jabez) is a misunderstanding of blessing as money and stuff. What you have said is more accurate.

    “The Lord’s mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction.” -C. H. Spurgeon

  • http://melissabrotherton.com Melissa Brotherton

    I worked at Borders when that book was popular. I never read it and never understood the hype. Although I’m definitely a instant gratification type person God has been reshaping and molding me to recognize that good things come to those who wait. And by wait I mean persevere through trial and press on toward the goal. Thanks for sharing these truth filled words that are not the popular option in today’s society.

  • http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com Maureen

    Wonderful post, Billy.

  • http://www.faithbarista.com Bonnie Gray | FaithBarista

    Good all the way to the last drop.

    “You think your dreams will bring you success, but some of the most miserable people in the world are the ones who’ve gotten everything they’ve always wanted. Stuff doesn’t bring joy. Only I do.”

    I just posted on “stuff” today, too!

    I walk the tightrope of dreams and faith — and always end up surrendering to Christ who waits for me in the middle.

    (sigh)

  • http://angiemizzell.com Angie Mizzell

    I think you just wrote my memoir. :)

  • http://www.endlessimpact.com jasonS

    A scripture comes to mind: Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” I believe this not only means money, but every kind of wealth. God wants His blessings to be blessings so He waits until we can handle them properly. We can circumvent Him and try to achieve our dreams separately, but even if we get all we want we won’t be satisfied. Many people live their dreams, but find it hollow. We count all those trials as a joy because it shows us more of Who He is. That relationship is what it’s all about.

    Thanks Billy. You always write great posts, but this one is phenomenal.

  • http://southernproletariat.blogspot.com/ rhonda

    Time and trial.

    More true words were never written by mere mortal man. Ever seen unpolished diamonds? Or unrefined gold? Not impressive at all. Both have to be put through various”trials” if you will, to make them beautiful.

    Honestly, there are times when I pray for something that I confess to God that I am afraid to ask for it (patience, or some other virtue) because I know there will be trials and suffering involved. So like a wimp I pray for the virtue AND the strenght to withstand whatever is involved to learn the virtue….

  • http://www.jasonpauljones.wordpress.com Jason Jones

    you rock, dude. beautiful.

  • http://building-his-body.blogspot.com/ Anne Lang Bundy

    I wonder how much James and John understood when Jesus said, “You shall indeed drink the cup I drink.” Did they still want greatness after Calvary? (Lay me low and keep me there, Lord.)

    Nice post, Billy. Very, very nice.

  • http://www.katieganshert.blogspot.com Katie Ganshert

    This is poignant, Billy. It’s my prayer that my biggest dream, my greatest passion, my life’s obsession – would be pursuing Jesus Christ and growing closer to him each day. I’m such a broken person. Sometimes I think my dreams will bring happiness. But God is slowly showing me that sort of happiness fades after the novelty wares off. I want the happiness that lasts for eternity.

  • http://meganwillome.com Megan Willome

    My husband worked in the Christian publishing industry at the time that book came out, and they joked about stickering Bibles with “Contains the prayer of Jabez!”

  • http://www.ordinarilyextraordinary.com/ Amy Nabors

    Wow. Incredible Billy. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.joannesher.com Joanne Sher

    So profound – and true. I needed this reminder. Great stuff as always, Billy

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  • http://lindaspatchworkquilt.blogspot.com/ Linda

    I cannot tell you how much this resonates with me. I have found this to be so absolutely true (of course it is, but it takes a bit of living to learn that). In recent years, it was my worst nightmare coming true that brought me to a better place in relationship to the Lord. It is out of that place that trust – genuine trust – had it’s beginning. And still, at this late season of life, I am learning this powerful lesson.

  • http://katshappyathome.blogspot.com Kathy

    Time and Trial. That so hits home for me. I hope you’re doing well Billy. I’ve missed reading your inspiring words :)

  • http://www.cdposey.com Posey

    “… Not 50/50, though. More like 100/100. You give your all, I give Mine.”

    Nice.

  • http://greatgrannygrandma.blogspot.com/ Sandy

    Great post!

  • http://www.songsbylolly.com Lolly Wildharber

    Loved your post….and your conversation with God. I agree with your version. I actually bought the book, read the book, and prayed the prayer. I even wrote a song about it, but with a different focus than many thought the prayer meant. I asked for God to expand my territory. I had “Godsongs” to sing, songs about God that I had written, and wanted ways to share them. So I prayed the prayer every day. The first week after I began praying the Prayer of Jabez, I was introduced to the chaplain at the Wesleyan nursing home….and i began going to help him with chapel and lead the singing every Thursday. I still go every Thursday that I’m in town. Then I continued to pray the prayer and a church called and asked me to lead their singing on Sunday night. Then I had another opportunity to share the songs God had given to me and another…..until I decided to quit praying the prayer. Enough!! I didn’t know what to do with this “expanded territory”. Did the Prayer of Jabez make a difference and open the doors. Well maybe. But maybe I just paid more attention to needs and opportunities. Maybe God just worked on me…..the one who needed it the most. Unfortunately it doesn’t last…unless I keep praying. Time and trial. I didn’t write my first song until I was 51. I am now 69, and have 80 songs…..but I know there are more… if I just take the time to listen and reflect on the blessings God has for me.
    I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and conversations with God. Thanks for sharing.

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    [...] A Conversation with God by Billy Coffey (BillyCoffey.com). Talking with God about blessings and what it takes to achieve our dreams. [...]

  • http://sandraheskaking.com Sandra Heska King

    So I’ve had lots of time and lots of trial. Where’s my great?

    Oh, I think His idea of great might be different from mine.

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