And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)
This is one of my favorite verses and I try to live by it every day. Sometimes it's definitely not an easy thing to do! It's a very serious (& sometimes scary!) responsibility to be a representative of our Lord Jesus!
Several years ago God convinced me not to gossip. Let me tell you, that was such a challenge at the beginning that I often struggled to come up with something to talk about! When I was growing up, my mother always told me if I didn't have something good to say, not to say anything at all. Although I usually tried to be obedient to her, reminding myself that I am a representative of the Lord Jesus is an even stronger motivation to keeping my lips zipped!
It's funny how people pick up on you not participating in gossip without you telling them. At the beginning, I did tell some friends, but since we've moved and the people I'm around at work and elsewhere haven't really heard me gossip, they usually don't tell me gossip. When you don't know much gossip, it's much easier not to repeat it. I am thankful that temptations into this area are kept to a minimum in my life these days. Thank you, Jesus!
When co-workers, friends and family are aware you are a Christian, whether they consciously realize it or not, they are always watching you. Admit it, you watch and notice when your Christian friends do or say something that it not very "Christ-like." When I fall victim to "un-Christ like" behavior, what really burdens me is the possible effect that observing this could have on someone who is not yet a believer or is a new believer. I met a woman at a women's ministry leadership conference a few years ago who shared with us that she would have committed her life to Christ literally years sooner if it had not been for the behavior she observed in Christian women!
Keeping in mind that whatever I say or do I should do it "as a representative of the Lord Jesus" is a serious responsibility for sure. But, it is also an awesome privilege that I am blessed with as a child of God. I am forever thankful for this responsibility and privilege as well as for the blessings that result from living in obedience.
What about you? How do you feel about living your life as a representative of our Lord Jesus? Will someone observing how you live your life realize you are a believer and follower of Jesus? Has God shown you an area of your life you need to work on?
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for loving me. Thank you for being patient with me and most of all for forgiving me when I don't live up to your expections of me as your representative. You know even better than I do that gossip is just one area you have shown me over the years that I need to change in my life.
The world is so loud! Even when we know in our hearts that following Your example is the very best way to live, it can be such a struggle to keep the world from creeping in. Father, thank you for the privilege of being your chosen child and thank you for putting me here on earth for your purposes. It is my heart's desire to glorify you in all I say, do and think each and every day. You know I can't do it without you by my side each step of each day. I thank you for always being right there with me. Thank you for forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for the sacifice you made through your son, Jesus Christ, going to the cross to bear the burden for my sins and those of each person who trusts Him with their life. It's in His precious name, I pray. Amen.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The gift of today
". . . For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." Habakkuk 1: 5OK - I know, I know - I just wrote about this same verse my last post. The problem is that when I was reflecting on this verse the other day, God was taking me this direction and then I went to Step by Step and I felt He wanted me to share how I saw the verse in action there.
But, I can't let the gift message go, so decided to share it as well.
Two wise, Godly women whom I'm blessed to know, Mimi and Shelley, the authors of "Holy Habits," spoke at a Holiday brunch I attended in 2007. Their gift to each attendee was a Chinese take out box - mine is pictured above. One of their teachings that day was to use visual clues as prayer reminders. Can you guess what the take-out box is a clue to?
No, it's not food or China related! Mimi suggested sitting it on your bedside table or dresser where you can see it first thing every morning even before you get out of bed. It is to remind you that each day is a gift from God. He is just waiting to unwrap blessings and opportunities (& yes, often times challenges!) for us each and every day! She suggested starting each day praying thanks to God for the gift of today and then asking Him to show you how He can use you that day.
When I read the verse above, it reminded me that God would absolutely love it if we approached each day with the same level of anticipation and excitement we have when we spot the biggest, brightest present under the tree on Christmas morning and realize it has our name on it! He would love it if we just cannot wait to see what He has planned for us that day just like we can't wait to see what's inside that great big box! Whether we rip the paper off in a rush or calmly and methodically remove it without tearing is up to us, but the gift inside is all ours! The same is true of God's gift of each day to us - it is all ours and He gave it specially to each of us! If He told us what was in it before we saw it, we couldn't even begin to believe all He had planned!
The next time you're tempted to groan and grumble about getting out of bed picture a brightly wrapped gift - or a white take out box - and realize that God has once again blessed you with the gift of another day!
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you, thank you , thank you - for the gift of today, yesterday and tomorrow! Please forgive me for the days I forget to thank you and ask you to show me or tell me what I can do for you today. Please help each of us keep our focus on you and keep the world with all its distractions, fatigue and tempations from interferring. Lord, please help us remember that your gift of today is also an opportunity for us to give back to you through our obedience and through serving others in your name and for your glory. Thank you, Lord Jesus! It's in your precious name, I pray. Amen.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Unbelievable!
" . . . For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." Habakkuk 1: 5
Thursday night I had the privilege to serve at the registration table during the first meeting this year of Step by Step, a non-denominational ministry to teen moms and their children. It was a great observation (& listening!) post!
The mission of Step By Step is "to provide an opportunity for salvation, and emotional and spiritual healing through Jesus Christ to young single mothers and their children, by walking with them step by step as they learn to lead productive, purposeful lives."
I could see the mission in action on so many levels!
Having worked in the nursery last year, I recognized several returning moms and babies. It was wonderful to see the babies' growth and to see the smiles on the moms' faces because they were so happy to be back at SBS! It was easy to spot the first timers - their faces showed uncertainty and sometimes a sense of hurt. It was so encouraging to see returning moms bringing new friends with them because they knew how much their friends could benefit from the program and especially from the love of Jesus.
"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told."
I could see it in the faces of the first timers "What am I doing here? What good is this going to do me?" But, "the rest of the story" of that verse was clearly illustrated by at least two stories I observed.
The first was a young mother wearing a Kroger shirt, holding one baby in her arms and another by the hand. She was beaming and couldn't wait to tell Susan and Terri, the SBS directors, that she is going to school and studying nursing! What progress she has made since last year! I suspect that if she were told last year that she'd be successfully balancing children, job and nursing school, she would not have believed it!
Even more touching was another mom who was also beaming - she had a glow about her that makes me believe she has Jesus in her heart! Susan was exclaiming over the change in her saying, "you do not look or act like the same girl who walked through those doors last year!" The young woman agreed and said co-workers had told her the same thing. While I don't know this particular young woman's story, I suspect it is like many others who have come to Step by Step broken, disheartened, discouraged and hurt looking for answers, love and acceptance. Susan and Terri, along with many volunteers, help these girls find Jesus and purpose in their lives.
Step by Step, like so many ministries, enables volunteers to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading his love, truth and light to those who so desperately need Him.
Has God called you to serve somewhere or in some way to help others find Him? There are so many opportunities! Just be prepared - you would not believe what He can do through you even if He told you the whole story beforehand!
If you'd like to learn more about Step by Step, please visit http://www.sbslex.org/.
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for giving us opportunities every day to serve you through serving others. You may have different plans and different ways for each of us to serve, but help us remember that you will always equip us to do what you have called us to do. You know the end from the beginning and we though we'd like to, we don't need to know it. We just need to be obedient when you call us to serve.
Thank you, Lord, for the success stories of so many who have been served and saved through the Step by Step ministry over the past 14 years. Please guide the leadership and volunteers in that ministry. Equip them spiritually, physically and financially to continue to do your work in Lexington and beyond.
Thank you, Lord for being who you are! In Jesus precious name. Amen.
Thursday night I had the privilege to serve at the registration table during the first meeting this year of Step by Step, a non-denominational ministry to teen moms and their children. It was a great observation (& listening!) post!
The mission of Step By Step is "to provide an opportunity for salvation, and emotional and spiritual healing through Jesus Christ to young single mothers and their children, by walking with them step by step as they learn to lead productive, purposeful lives."
I could see the mission in action on so many levels!
Having worked in the nursery last year, I recognized several returning moms and babies. It was wonderful to see the babies' growth and to see the smiles on the moms' faces because they were so happy to be back at SBS! It was easy to spot the first timers - their faces showed uncertainty and sometimes a sense of hurt. It was so encouraging to see returning moms bringing new friends with them because they knew how much their friends could benefit from the program and especially from the love of Jesus.
"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told."
I could see it in the faces of the first timers "What am I doing here? What good is this going to do me?" But, "the rest of the story" of that verse was clearly illustrated by at least two stories I observed.
The first was a young mother wearing a Kroger shirt, holding one baby in her arms and another by the hand. She was beaming and couldn't wait to tell Susan and Terri, the SBS directors, that she is going to school and studying nursing! What progress she has made since last year! I suspect that if she were told last year that she'd be successfully balancing children, job and nursing school, she would not have believed it!
Even more touching was another mom who was also beaming - she had a glow about her that makes me believe she has Jesus in her heart! Susan was exclaiming over the change in her saying, "you do not look or act like the same girl who walked through those doors last year!" The young woman agreed and said co-workers had told her the same thing. While I don't know this particular young woman's story, I suspect it is like many others who have come to Step by Step broken, disheartened, discouraged and hurt looking for answers, love and acceptance. Susan and Terri, along with many volunteers, help these girls find Jesus and purpose in their lives.
Step by Step, like so many ministries, enables volunteers to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading his love, truth and light to those who so desperately need Him.
Has God called you to serve somewhere or in some way to help others find Him? There are so many opportunities! Just be prepared - you would not believe what He can do through you even if He told you the whole story beforehand!
If you'd like to learn more about Step by Step, please visit http://www.sbslex.org/.
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for giving us opportunities every day to serve you through serving others. You may have different plans and different ways for each of us to serve, but help us remember that you will always equip us to do what you have called us to do. You know the end from the beginning and we though we'd like to, we don't need to know it. We just need to be obedient when you call us to serve.
Thank you, Lord, for the success stories of so many who have been served and saved through the Step by Step ministry over the past 14 years. Please guide the leadership and volunteers in that ministry. Equip them spiritually, physically and financially to continue to do your work in Lexington and beyond.
Thank you, Lord for being who you are! In Jesus precious name. Amen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Good grief!
"Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief." Proverbs 14:13
As you may have read in a previous post, we didn't plan to move to Lexington almost two years ago - we wanted to stay in Bowling Green where we lived for the past 24 years, and where our children (& now grandchildren!), my mother & step-father, David's brother, friends, etc. all live in or nearby. You get the picture. But God had different plans and brought us here.
Since we are only about 3 hours away, we try to visit pretty often - especially during the past 8 months since our precious twin grandbabies were born! It's been 5 weeks since we've last seen them and it's about to kill us! And, we still have about 1 1/2 weeks to go before we see them!
"Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief."
That verse perfectly describes my heart during some of our visits to BG. I can't wait to get there! Our visits always include so much laughter and fun, but I sometimes find myself missing them in the midst of the visit - anticipating the loss of their company while I'm still in the room with them! How crazy is that? We often have a silent ride home as the joy of the visit deflates with each mile we drive. Our youngest daughter, Sarah, recently spent about a week with us prior to moving to New Orleans and the emotions were the same - heart ache amidst the joy.
It was such a relief when God showed me that I have been experiencing grief, not for the loss of a loved one who departed the earth, but for the loss of our family life as we lived it & loved it for so many years. We will never be that same family we were 5 years ago or even 5 months ago. But, He has also reminded me that no amount of miles can take away our memories or our love for one another.
Recognizing my feelings as grief is helping me work through them and to recapture the excitement we had when God first brought us here! My heart's desires is to be a vessel for Him to use, so I can't wait to see what He has planned for us ahead! Just two chapters later in Proverbs 16: 3-4, God promises us "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends -"
My prayer for today:
My most gracious heavenly Father, thank you so much for your Word. I pray for my thirst for Your Word to continue to grow and grow - you have all the answers! I don't know why we ever bother to look anywhere else for guidance. Thank you for being the Great I Am and for always knowing just what I need to hear. Thank you so much for including me in your plans! Help me to keep my focus on you and to never forget that my true joy is in you and you alone. I don't want to let circumstances interfere with that. I love you and praise you for who you are and thank you so much for always keeping your promises. In your son, Jesus' precious name, I pray . . .
What has God said to you today through this scripture?
(In case you've never met them, Spencer and Kate are above - aka: precious grandbabies! And, thank you, Jenny, for the use of your photo.)
It was such a relief when God showed me that I have been experiencing grief, not for the loss of a loved one who departed the earth, but for the loss of our family life as we lived it & loved it for so many years. We will never be that same family we were 5 years ago or even 5 months ago. But, He has also reminded me that no amount of miles can take away our memories or our love for one another.
Recognizing my feelings as grief is helping me work through them and to recapture the excitement we had when God first brought us here! My heart's desires is to be a vessel for Him to use, so I can't wait to see what He has planned for us ahead! Just two chapters later in Proverbs 16: 3-4, God promises us "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends -"
My prayer for today:
My most gracious heavenly Father, thank you so much for your Word. I pray for my thirst for Your Word to continue to grow and grow - you have all the answers! I don't know why we ever bother to look anywhere else for guidance. Thank you for being the Great I Am and for always knowing just what I need to hear. Thank you so much for including me in your plans! Help me to keep my focus on you and to never forget that my true joy is in you and you alone. I don't want to let circumstances interfere with that. I love you and praise you for who you are and thank you so much for always keeping your promises. In your son, Jesus' precious name, I pray . . .
What has God said to you today through this scripture?
(In case you've never met them, Spencer and Kate are above - aka: precious grandbabies! And, thank you, Jenny, for the use of your photo.)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Today is the day you worried about yesterday . . .
"Do not fret - it only causes harm" Psalm 37:8
"Commit your Way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37: 5
This weekend we were at my brother-in-law's home, which is the home he and my husband grew up in. Although he has done extensive remodeling, he still has many items in the home that belonged to my in-laws.
It was nice to see an embroidered piece I did for my sweet mother-in-law, Kathleen, many years ago hanging on the kitchen wall. It says "Today is the day you worried about yesterday and all is well." Kathleen was a wonderful Godly woman with strong faith, but she was also a worrier. I made the sampler for her, but at that time in my life, it was advice I benefited from as well!
I think one of the biggest changes Jesus Christ has made in my life is in the area of worrying. I used to lay awake at night fretting over this and that - probably most of it were things that didn't matter much, but to me at the time, they were real sleep robbing concerns. I have a vivid imagination and can make something out of nothing in the blink of an eye! Back then I didn't always think about turning my concerns over to God in prayer - unless it was the "God, if you'll fix this for me this time, I promise I'll never do that again: kind of prayer.
I am so thankful that God has so much patience, mercy, love and forgiveness and has worked so hard to convict me not to worry, but instead to turn my concerns over to Him. Some days it's easier than others and some days I don't quite succeed, but (Praise the Lord!) I can't remember the last time I had a sleepless night! Now when I am tempted to worry about something, I count on Jesus to help me abide by Matthew 11:28-30, " Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you nad learn from me for I am gentle and humble in hears and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
AHHHH! What a relief!
My prayer for today:
Dear Lord, thank you so much for teaching me to rely on you. You have proven to me time and time again that you are in control. And, you do such an excellent job! I am so thankful you call me your own and continue to teach me new lessons each and every day - even the tough ones. Thank you so much for loving me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
What did God say to you today through these verses?
"Commit your Way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37: 5
This weekend we were at my brother-in-law's home, which is the home he and my husband grew up in. Although he has done extensive remodeling, he still has many items in the home that belonged to my in-laws.
It was nice to see an embroidered piece I did for my sweet mother-in-law, Kathleen, many years ago hanging on the kitchen wall. It says "Today is the day you worried about yesterday and all is well." Kathleen was a wonderful Godly woman with strong faith, but she was also a worrier. I made the sampler for her, but at that time in my life, it was advice I benefited from as well!
I think one of the biggest changes Jesus Christ has made in my life is in the area of worrying. I used to lay awake at night fretting over this and that - probably most of it were things that didn't matter much, but to me at the time, they were real sleep robbing concerns. I have a vivid imagination and can make something out of nothing in the blink of an eye! Back then I didn't always think about turning my concerns over to God in prayer - unless it was the "God, if you'll fix this for me this time, I promise I'll never do that again: kind of prayer.
I am so thankful that God has so much patience, mercy, love and forgiveness and has worked so hard to convict me not to worry, but instead to turn my concerns over to Him. Some days it's easier than others and some days I don't quite succeed, but (Praise the Lord!) I can't remember the last time I had a sleepless night! Now when I am tempted to worry about something, I count on Jesus to help me abide by Matthew 11:28-30, " Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you nad learn from me for I am gentle and humble in hears and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
AHHHH! What a relief!
My prayer for today:
Dear Lord, thank you so much for teaching me to rely on you. You have proven to me time and time again that you are in control. And, you do such an excellent job! I am so thankful you call me your own and continue to teach me new lessons each and every day - even the tough ones. Thank you so much for loving me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
What did God say to you today through these verses?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Scary Thought
"For as he thinks within himself, so he is . . . " Proverbs 23:7 NASB
We had a wonderful worship service this morning at Center Point Church in Lexington, KY. We heard from mission team members who recently returned from a week serving God in Brazil - it's always amazing and encouraging to hear and see how God is such a huge God and works in and through people throughout the world. I have to admit that hearing them and seeing the glow on their faces made me reminiscent of my mission trips and, yes, a bit jealous! But, I know in my heart that God can use us just as well here as internationally.
As always, at CPC, the music was awesome and "worshipful." But, what hit me closest to home was Tim's message. Based upon Philippians 4:8, it was part of a series on Philippians entitled "Living Life to the Fullest."
Philippians 4:8 says:
Finally, brethren,whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
How does that verse make you feel? At first read, my response is something like, "Absolutely, Lord! That's exactly what I want to do!" And I sincerely mean it. However, living it every minute of every hour of every day is another matter.
Then Tim quoted Proverbs 23:7: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is . . ." . What a scary thought! But, it was just what I needed to hear. I know that I cannot obey Philippians 4:8 on my own. When left to myself, I will drown in a sea of negativity & who knows what else. Jesus is my lifeline to the life He wants me to live and to the life I want to live. And, it's a lifeline I need many times each and every day - that's why He instructs us to dwell on these things.
My prayer for today:
Lord Jesus, thank you for being my lifeline. Thank you for wanting more of me than I can imagine. Thank you for a wonderful church home where we hear your truth each and every time we gather. Thank you for putting people in our lives who remind us of who you are, who we are, what you expect of us and show us how we can get there. Please forgive me for all the times I fall short and thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. I love you.
What did God say to you today through these verses?
We had a wonderful worship service this morning at Center Point Church in Lexington, KY. We heard from mission team members who recently returned from a week serving God in Brazil - it's always amazing and encouraging to hear and see how God is such a huge God and works in and through people throughout the world. I have to admit that hearing them and seeing the glow on their faces made me reminiscent of my mission trips and, yes, a bit jealous! But, I know in my heart that God can use us just as well here as internationally.
As always, at CPC, the music was awesome and "worshipful." But, what hit me closest to home was Tim's message. Based upon Philippians 4:8, it was part of a series on Philippians entitled "Living Life to the Fullest."
Philippians 4:8 says:
Finally, brethren,whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
How does that verse make you feel? At first read, my response is something like, "Absolutely, Lord! That's exactly what I want to do!" And I sincerely mean it. However, living it every minute of every hour of every day is another matter.
Then Tim quoted Proverbs 23:7: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is . . ." . What a scary thought! But, it was just what I needed to hear. I know that I cannot obey Philippians 4:8 on my own. When left to myself, I will drown in a sea of negativity & who knows what else. Jesus is my lifeline to the life He wants me to live and to the life I want to live. And, it's a lifeline I need many times each and every day - that's why He instructs us to dwell on these things.
My prayer for today:
Lord Jesus, thank you for being my lifeline. Thank you for wanting more of me than I can imagine. Thank you for a wonderful church home where we hear your truth each and every time we gather. Thank you for putting people in our lives who remind us of who you are, who we are, what you expect of us and show us how we can get there. Please forgive me for all the times I fall short and thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. I love you.
What did God say to you today through these verses?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bearing Fruit
"You would live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10-11
Several years ago I had the privilege of serving at a Women of the Harvest retreat for women serving in the mission field who were in the USA on furlough. It was such a blessing in so many ways! One of the special blessings was getting to know Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt. These special ladies were missionary kids who became missionaries and now serve (in different locations) in the USA. They are speakers and authors. Together they wrote a wonderful book, "Holy Habits," which I highly recommend.
This verse reminds me of a story Mimi shared in "Holy Habits" that I want to share with you.
Mimi wrote:
" I also collect stories that remind me of God's victories. A middle-aged missinary couple in Spain with whom I visited told me the following story. Several years ago, they met an older woman in the city square. The lady had spent 30 years in missionary service in the African country of Senegal. The couple invited her to their home . . . As the woman talked, it became apparent that she had suffered. She said she felt that her years of service had been wasted. She lost one son to a crocodile, another son had been seriously ill, and her husband died. When she left Senegal, a grieving widow and mother, there had not been one convert to show for the sacrifices of thirty years.
During their visit, the couple mentioned that they had recently received a newsletter from some young friends, also missionaries in Senegal. They shared the newsletter with her, and as she read it, she began to cry. The letter told of how the young couple had contacted different tribes. They were surprised to discover an amazing God-consciousness among them. Their view of God as Father was so clear, and the young couple said they had no idea where it had come from. People from seven different tribes were coming to Christ. When the retired missionary lifted her head from the letter, she said, "Our family lived and ministered among five of the seven tribes mentioned in this letter. We never knew if they understood. But know I know!"
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you for showing this missionary woman how you did use her for your good and that her suffering and sacrifices did bear fruit for your kingdom. And, thank you for the dedication she and family showed through serving 30 years without knowing if anyone understood the love, grace and mercy they were sharing. Lord, please help me to keep You as the center focus of my life each and every day - my prayer is that I live my life in a way that is worthy of you -pleasing and honoring to you, that you would use me to bear fruit - whether I see it or not. Please help me not to mind if I don't see fruit yielded - as long as You do. Please help me to draw closer to you each day and continually grow in my knowledge of you so that I can share more effectively with others. Most of all, Father, thank you for my Lord Jesus Christ and for being who you say you are yesterday, today and tomorrow. I love you so much! In Jesus' name. . .
What did God say to you through this verse and perhaps through the story Mimi shared?
Several years ago I had the privilege of serving at a Women of the Harvest retreat for women serving in the mission field who were in the USA on furlough. It was such a blessing in so many ways! One of the special blessings was getting to know Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt. These special ladies were missionary kids who became missionaries and now serve (in different locations) in the USA. They are speakers and authors. Together they wrote a wonderful book, "Holy Habits," which I highly recommend.
This verse reminds me of a story Mimi shared in "Holy Habits" that I want to share with you.
Mimi wrote:
" I also collect stories that remind me of God's victories. A middle-aged missinary couple in Spain with whom I visited told me the following story. Several years ago, they met an older woman in the city square. The lady had spent 30 years in missionary service in the African country of Senegal. The couple invited her to their home . . . As the woman talked, it became apparent that she had suffered. She said she felt that her years of service had been wasted. She lost one son to a crocodile, another son had been seriously ill, and her husband died. When she left Senegal, a grieving widow and mother, there had not been one convert to show for the sacrifices of thirty years.
During their visit, the couple mentioned that they had recently received a newsletter from some young friends, also missionaries in Senegal. They shared the newsletter with her, and as she read it, she began to cry. The letter told of how the young couple had contacted different tribes. They were surprised to discover an amazing God-consciousness among them. Their view of God as Father was so clear, and the young couple said they had no idea where it had come from. People from seven different tribes were coming to Christ. When the retired missionary lifted her head from the letter, she said, "Our family lived and ministered among five of the seven tribes mentioned in this letter. We never knew if they understood. But know I know!"
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you for showing this missionary woman how you did use her for your good and that her suffering and sacrifices did bear fruit for your kingdom. And, thank you for the dedication she and family showed through serving 30 years without knowing if anyone understood the love, grace and mercy they were sharing. Lord, please help me to keep You as the center focus of my life each and every day - my prayer is that I live my life in a way that is worthy of you -pleasing and honoring to you, that you would use me to bear fruit - whether I see it or not. Please help me not to mind if I don't see fruit yielded - as long as You do. Please help me to draw closer to you each day and continually grow in my knowledge of you so that I can share more effectively with others. Most of all, Father, thank you for my Lord Jesus Christ and for being who you say you are yesterday, today and tomorrow. I love you so much! In Jesus' name. . .
What did God say to you through this verse and perhaps through the story Mimi shared?
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