Your 'Grand Inquisition'

Oh! How I wish that we were sitting across the table from one another today enjoying a mug of steaming coffee … or perhaps a spot of tea in a lovely china cup … or even a long, tall glass of iced tea with just a little bit of lemon added!

You see … I have questions for you today! 

And so I wish … 

I wish that we were meeting face to face …

I wish that we were going for a long, leisurely walk together on a country road … 

I wish that you could hear my voice and that I could hear yours …

I wish that we had the gift of enjoying each other’s presence and therefore each other’s hearts. 

I wish … oh! How I wish! 

When our second son, Christopher, was a sophomore in high school he was in the beloved Mrs. Buffaloe’s World History class. She endeavored, year after long year, to teach young, impressionable yet uninterested minds of the glory and intrigue that belongs to the history of this marvelous world in which we live.

As Mrs. Buffaloe was reviewing one spring day, trying to prepare her class of hormone-driven scholars for the next exam, she said, “Michael Talley, can you tell me what the “Grand Inquisition” is?” 

Now, Michael was the son of a local pastor and one of Christopher’s best friends. Michael was a really good kid, but he never lost the opportunity to have a bit of fun. Michael had been resting his head on his hand and gazing out the window with his mind set on other important teen-age issues like girls … ball games … girls … food … and girls. 

He turned his face toward Mrs. Buffaloe and said, “I am sorry.  What was the question again?” 

Due to her unmatched patience and decades of teaching the future generation, she stood beside his desk and kindly repeated, “Can you tell me, young sir, what the “Grand Inquisition” is?”

Without missing a beat, Michael grinned and said, “Yes, ma’m! The “Grand Inquisition” happens every time I go to Mrs. McLeod’s house.”

It’s true … I have always been famous for interviewing folks in social situations, in small groups, in personal friendships and in family settings.

If I had another life to live, I might want to be Diane Sawyer! 

I just feel like inquiring minds want to know!

I have a deep interest in figuring out what makes a person “tick” … what drives a person to greatness … what brings contentment to someone’s heart … and what delivers joy day after day after day to an ordinary life.

It just makes sense, then, that I enjoy the interview process.

So … Welcome to your joyful “Grand Inquisition” today! 

I love asking questions! And, dear friend, you will not be avoiding my riveting cross-examination! I believe that asking questions just might be my love language.

So prepare to be interrogated! 

This won’t take long … you can either answer each question internally, record the answers in your journal, or send me an e-mail at carol@carolmcleodministries.com.

I really would love to hear from you. 

And, who knows?! These questions might actually enable you to live in a greater place of purpose … and who doesn’t want that?! 

Question # 1:

Are you a Christ-follower?  If so, when did you decide to follow Him? 

If not, I’d love to talk to you about it. Simply send me an e-mail at carol@carolmcleodministries.com. No pressure … just love and interest.

Question # 2: 

What is the theme of your life? 

Seriously, if you could think of a phrase or a motto that describes the heart of who you are, what would that phrase be?  

I’d love to know.

Question #3:

What is your passion? 

What is it that absolutely lights you up inside? 

What is your first thought in the morning and your last thought at night?

What is it that drives you to live another day?

Question #4:

What are you really good at?

Come on … there must be something! Are you a good cook?  A competent writer? An accomplished artist? Do kids just love you? 

Are you good with animals? Do you have a green thumb? Are you incredible at making a budget and sticking to it?

Let me ask you again … what are you really good at? 

Question #5: 

How can you live in a place of purpose today?

Don’t make excuses but make a way! Decide today that your life will bring God glory and that you will love those around you with great joy! If you don’t have anyone around you – then reach out through writing a note, e-mail, texting or on social media.

Make someone dinner … send someone flowers … pull the weeds in someone’s garden … run errands for a friend … leave a surprise package in someone’s mailbox. 

Closing Thoughts …

When you combine “what you are good at” with “your passion” it is then that you will always live in a place of divine purpose! I guarantee it!

Let’s not waste these precious days of the spring of 2020. Maximize every opportunity to figure out who you are and why you are here. 

Stop complaining about what you don’t have and be very, very thankful for what you do have!

In every generation there have been trials and hardships – our generation is no different.

This is our moment to shine … this is our moment to love … this is our moment to share joy … this is our moment to enlarge the Kingdom!

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!