We Went On A Journey
By Katherine Kehler

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory . . ." 1 Chronicles 4:9

Seems like every one I talk to lately is reading The Prayer of Jabez. I wonder what will happen when millions of Christian begin to pray "Oh, that
you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory." If these prayers are sincere, the results will be significant. God will answer. These will be
exciting times.

"Enlarge my territory . . ."

We live on a five-acre plot of land with two houses, a few horses, a dog and two cats - a nice hobby farm. Our daughter and her two pre-schoolers moved into the second house last September. With the short fall and winter days, the children rarely strayed far from the house. They were used to a smaller backyard and found plenty of room for their play close to home, but
their borders were quite small.

As Spring arrived and the sun warmed, it was time to go exploring. I was just getting home from work when my five-year-old granddaughter, Tia, came running up to me. She was very excited - she had news to share. "Grandma, Mercedes and I went on a journey today."

"You did?" I asked. "Where did you go?" She pointed to the west corner of the white fences.

"We walked all the way to the blackberries over there."

"You went into the field with the horses?" I asked.

Yes," she said. She pointed to the east corner of the field and continued, "and then we walked to the blackberry bushes over there and we almost
stepped on a pile of horse pooh and then. . ." Her enthusiasm was contagious.

They had been on an exciting journey. That day their borders were expanded from the lawns around their house to five acres of pasture, horses, and blackberry bushes. They were elated. The fields had been there from the day they moved in but had brought the girls no joy until they ventured out and experienced them. Now they know the wonders the land contains. I know there will be other journeys.

How big is your territory? Are you stuck within small borders? Are you looking for excitement? Do you want God to bless you and have your territory expanded? I challenge you to pray the prayer of Jabez.


Father, like Jabez I pray, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may nat cause pain."

Amen

About the Author

As a grandmother, Katherine J. Kehler founded the Internet ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada, starting web sites like http://www.christianwomentoday.com and http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com.