Naaman's Reminder

Not too long ago I answered a call for submissions. For a couple of weeks I had been mulling over an experience and planned on writing about it, so I was excited to see that this particular organization was looking for something on that topic because I've written for them several other times. In the past, it had just been a matter of letting them know I was interested in writing something for certain topic and my name was plugged in. I'd write my article, get it to the correct place by the deadline and that was that.

Well, it didn't go that way this time and I had a Naaman attack. See, someone who had recently stepped into position sent me a nice, cheerful reply (remember Elijah's servant who spoke with Naaman?) assuring me I could submit the article for consideration in the body of an email. Oh-kay. I felt like I'd been blindsided. That's neither a yes or no, and truthfully? A no would've been easier to deal with. A no would've let me believe they weren't interested in the angle I was approaching from or the slots were filled already. Submitting for consideration in the body of an email made me feel like...well, let's just say if you heard what was going on inside my head, you'd think I was a kin of ol' Naaman's before he visited the Jordan River.

But just like Naaman heard his servants encouraging him to obey, I felt God's gentle nudges, encouraging me to flex and grow with the organization—one that I strongly believe in and love. I wrestled. I struggled. I prayed. I confessed. And I surrendered.

So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. ~2 Kings 5:14, NAS

I'll be writing that article and sending it in for consideration, in the body of an email, instead of how I've been told to submit the other articles already on the schedule with them, that even have a later deadline than this new article. And you know what? It doesn't matter. The situation has already served an important purpose: it pointed out to me oh-so clearly just how closely I need to watch my attitude. If I'm not careful and attentive, the old Namaan will creep into my thinking even more, and I do not want that. Not at all. I want my attitude to be restored to the attitude of a child of God who's right with Him. I want a clean attitude and a clean spirit.

How about you? Do you struggle with a Namaan attitude at times, too? Listen to God's still voice and go to the Jordan.
Namaan's obedience changed his life forever.

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