a note from brooke to dawson preschool volunteers and dawson kids investors

I was thrilled when danielle asked me to join her efforts on this prayer project for our Preschool Ministry and dawson kids leaders! I must confess, that prayer is a spiritual discipline that I struggle with. We often tell our preschoolers that prayer is simply talking to God. Those of you who know me can probably guess that part is easy for me. I talk to God all the time! That definition is true, but in reality, prayer is conversation with God, which requires not only talking, but also listening. This is the area where I am growing.

Two Bible verses immediately come to mind:

 “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 I want to be still in His presence. I am weary. I am burdened. I know I need His rest and I want it. Yet, too often I lead one sided chatter with my loving Heavenly Father and miss all the precious things He has to say to me because I am distracted with other relationships, daily responsibilities, and even good, God honoring activities and tasks.

Bill Hybels’ book, Too Busy Not to Pray, has helped to put a few things in perspective for me and I want to share a few of his points with you. He says, “the archenemy of spiritual authenticity is busyness.” Amen! Right? He goes on to say:

I can think of at least three ways God speaks to followers who are willing to listen:

 First, God speaks through His Word. As we read the Bible and meditate on its truth, God helps to apply it to our lives.  

 Another way God speaks to us is through people. “I care for you,” He says through the arms of a friend who understand our grief and seeks to console us.

 And a third way God speaks to us is though direct promptings of the Holy Spirit. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit is ready, willing, and able to communicate with us. He leads, rebukes, affirms, comforts and assures Christ’s followers.

It is my prayer for myself, and for all of you, that we will begin this new year of ministry with a great desire for two sided conversation with God and that we will thirst to hear His voice, experience His presence, and act obediently in response to His promptings.

Brooke loves ministering to preschoolers and their families. She believes it is important for parents and church leaders to work together to teach children to love God, His Word, world and son, Jesus. Brooke’s family joined Dawson when she was just 6 months old and she is thrilled to be on staff in the church where she was dedicated, baptized, called to ministry, married and saw her own children dedicated and baptized.  Brooke is a graduate of Samford University.  She is married to Darrell Gibson.  They have two children, Shae and Hannah.  Brooke loves family time, reading, music and all things Disney!  Brooke’s favorite Bible verse is “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6