About 15 years ago, I interviewed for a position at my church. Another applicant was a single mom, who really needed the job. Although I was offered the job, I didn’t feel right about accepting it. I knew that young mother needed to support her two daughters, and the position was perfect for her. So I turned it down and asked the elders to give it to the other applicant.
I forgot about that moment until a few weeks ago.
One of my friends, who is an incredible communicator, heard about the temp job I’m doing. She would have been perfect for the position, but she also knew how badly I needed work. So she didn’t apply for it; she didn’t even tell anyone she was interested. She just kept praying for me and then cheered me when I started the job – an example of a holy moment, hidden so that no one but God sees.
Years ago, I showed kindness to a single mom who needed a job. I had no idea then that I would someday be a single mom who would need a job. I had no clue that an experience 15 years ago would plant a seed that would be harvested in my own life. And I had no inkling that my good friend would return the favor.
God is so good to be faithful yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Faith Is
Faith is… believing that God did what you trusted Him to do even though you cannot see the results.
Faith is…painting the nursery before you get pregnant.
Faith is…buying a Christmas present when the doctor says you won’t be here December 25th.
Faith is…walking down the aisle and trusting that your groom will keep his covenant vows.
Faith is…sending your novel to the seventh publisher, believing it will get published.
Faith is…buying a pen for book signings the day you send your novel to the seventh publisher.
Faith is…planning to go swimming before you’ve tried on last year’s swimsuit.
Faith is…tithing 10% when you only have 10% left.
Faith is…driving your car with its cracked block for an entire year and believing God will keep it going.
Faith is…watching them wheel your only child into surgery and believing that God will bring him out alive.
Faith is…rescuing a dog and believing he won’t pee all over your new carpet.
Faith is…making a meal out of scraps and believing there will be enough.
Faith is…taking a job for less than adequate pay, believing that God will make up the difference.
Faith is…putting your soul on the line and knowing that Jesus will carry you into eternity.
Faith is…painting the nursery before you get pregnant.
Faith is…buying a Christmas present when the doctor says you won’t be here December 25th.
Faith is…walking down the aisle and trusting that your groom will keep his covenant vows.
Faith is…sending your novel to the seventh publisher, believing it will get published.
Faith is…buying a pen for book signings the day you send your novel to the seventh publisher.
Faith is…planning to go swimming before you’ve tried on last year’s swimsuit.
Faith is…tithing 10% when you only have 10% left.
Faith is…driving your car with its cracked block for an entire year and believing God will keep it going.
Faith is…watching them wheel your only child into surgery and believing that God will bring him out alive.
Faith is…rescuing a dog and believing he won’t pee all over your new carpet.
Faith is…making a meal out of scraps and believing there will be enough.
Faith is…taking a job for less than adequate pay, believing that God will make up the difference.
Faith is…putting your soul on the line and knowing that Jesus will carry you into eternity.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
When
My son said the nicest thing.
I asked him if he thought I was a “glass half-empty person or a glass half-full.”
“Are you kidding, Mom? You’re not just a glass half-full. You’re a case full.”
After we both laughed, I said, “I’m glad you think so, but how did you reach that conclusion? What makes you think I have a positive outlook on life?”
“Because nobody else I know could lose their job and keep saying ‘When’.”
I’m so grateful that my son realized the importance of looking forward as we trust God. The question isn’t “What if something happens?” or “If God gives me a new job.” The correct description of trust is “When.”
God will answer our prayers when the timing is right. He will show us a new direction to take when we have learned everything we’ll need for the change. Jesus will come back when his Father tells him to go and get His children.
The way to stay in hope is to keep thinking, “When.”
I asked him if he thought I was a “glass half-empty person or a glass half-full.”
“Are you kidding, Mom? You’re not just a glass half-full. You’re a case full.”
After we both laughed, I said, “I’m glad you think so, but how did you reach that conclusion? What makes you think I have a positive outlook on life?”
“Because nobody else I know could lose their job and keep saying ‘When’.”
I’m so grateful that my son realized the importance of looking forward as we trust God. The question isn’t “What if something happens?” or “If God gives me a new job.” The correct description of trust is “When.”
God will answer our prayers when the timing is right. He will show us a new direction to take when we have learned everything we’ll need for the change. Jesus will come back when his Father tells him to go and get His children.
The way to stay in hope is to keep thinking, “When.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My Heart Trusts
I love it when the Lord gives me a pre-trouble verse. My time with God is early in the morning, when the house and the world are still wrapped in darkness. That seems to be the best time for me to open my Bible and talk with God.
This morning, the divine whisper prompted me to turn to Psalm 28. There I read verse seven, “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” I tried to read the rest of the chapter, but couldn’t seem to move beyond that verse. “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”
So I spent the rest of my devotion time, just thanking God for helping me throughout the day. I had no idea that later in the morning, I would become a target. Without any provocation, I landed in the middle of some office politics. I spent several moments at my desk, just praying for those who were angry with me. I opened my Bible and prayed Psalm 28:7 for the situation, praising God for his help. Rejection attacked, and I recognized how the enemy wanted to use it to send me into discouragement. I repeated the verse again and again, claiming God’s promise to help me.
Fortunately, everything soon returned to normal. By the end of the day, plans were in motion to resolve the conflict. As I drove home, I praised God for sending that pre-trouble verse before anything happened and for reminding me to let my heart trust in him because He would help me.
This morning, the divine whisper prompted me to turn to Psalm 28. There I read verse seven, “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” I tried to read the rest of the chapter, but couldn’t seem to move beyond that verse. “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”
So I spent the rest of my devotion time, just thanking God for helping me throughout the day. I had no idea that later in the morning, I would become a target. Without any provocation, I landed in the middle of some office politics. I spent several moments at my desk, just praying for those who were angry with me. I opened my Bible and prayed Psalm 28:7 for the situation, praising God for his help. Rejection attacked, and I recognized how the enemy wanted to use it to send me into discouragement. I repeated the verse again and again, claiming God’s promise to help me.
Fortunately, everything soon returned to normal. By the end of the day, plans were in motion to resolve the conflict. As I drove home, I praised God for sending that pre-trouble verse before anything happened and for reminding me to let my heart trust in him because He would help me.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Prayer Meets the Answer
The divine whisper called me to Psalm 88 where I found an interesting concept in verse 13. In the Amplified version, it read, “But to you I cry, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer come to meet you.”
Just the idea of meeting with God brought comfort, but here the sons of Korah described the moment when prayer actually met with God. My mind created a vision of God Himself listening for my cry and meeting the prayer halfway.
It was a discouraging week as I paid the September bills and subtracted what was left in the checking account. I spoke against the fear, sang the songs of praise and reminded myself of God’s eternal faithfulness. Then I read Psalm 88 and felt the encouragement of the Holy Spirit again.
A temp job suddenly opened up, which may become a full-time position. It involves writing, problem-solving and communications – all my strengths. In a divine coincidence, this job happened just as I was learning about Psalm 88:13. As I prayed, God was already sending the answer. My cry and His answer met in a spontaneous explosion of need and grace.
Join with me in praising God.
Just the idea of meeting with God brought comfort, but here the sons of Korah described the moment when prayer actually met with God. My mind created a vision of God Himself listening for my cry and meeting the prayer halfway.
It was a discouraging week as I paid the September bills and subtracted what was left in the checking account. I spoke against the fear, sang the songs of praise and reminded myself of God’s eternal faithfulness. Then I read Psalm 88 and felt the encouragement of the Holy Spirit again.
A temp job suddenly opened up, which may become a full-time position. It involves writing, problem-solving and communications – all my strengths. In a divine coincidence, this job happened just as I was learning about Psalm 88:13. As I prayed, God was already sending the answer. My cry and His answer met in a spontaneous explosion of need and grace.
Join with me in praising God.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Of Course
Last Sunday, one of my friends reminded me of the first two words we will say in heaven.
When we meet Jesus and get that welcome hug from our Savior, our soul eyes will be opened. We’ll finally understand why certain things happened to us on earth. We’ll know that the long periods of waiting taught us patience and compassion. Sorrow helped us realize that we should never take each other for granted. Illnesses threw us on our knees to beg for healing. All the stresses and problems of life helped us empathize with others who followed in our steps.
When we’re with Jesus, we’ll see how he poured extra grace on us for those times. The same powerful grace that helped him endure those six horrific hours on the cross enabled us to bear our crosses. In heaven, we’ll finally see the smile of God and realize how much he wanted to help us – how he longed to hear us cry out to him, “Abba Father – help me.”
Maybe God will show us a video of our lives on earth. In the background will be all the people who prayed for us, cried with us and encouraged us. We’ll see how our own prayers strengthened someone else in the darkest of nights. We may get a glimpse of the enemy forces that surrounded us and how warfare prayers rescued us. Like an umbrella of protection, I suspect we’ll see the Holy Trinity discussing our situation and letting us learn just long enough before one of them rescued us. Our hearts will soar with a new passion for worship as we realize all the ways God saved us.
We’ll understand it someday, and our first words will be, “Of course.”
When we meet Jesus and get that welcome hug from our Savior, our soul eyes will be opened. We’ll finally understand why certain things happened to us on earth. We’ll know that the long periods of waiting taught us patience and compassion. Sorrow helped us realize that we should never take each other for granted. Illnesses threw us on our knees to beg for healing. All the stresses and problems of life helped us empathize with others who followed in our steps.
When we’re with Jesus, we’ll see how he poured extra grace on us for those times. The same powerful grace that helped him endure those six horrific hours on the cross enabled us to bear our crosses. In heaven, we’ll finally see the smile of God and realize how much he wanted to help us – how he longed to hear us cry out to him, “Abba Father – help me.”
Maybe God will show us a video of our lives on earth. In the background will be all the people who prayed for us, cried with us and encouraged us. We’ll see how our own prayers strengthened someone else in the darkest of nights. We may get a glimpse of the enemy forces that surrounded us and how warfare prayers rescued us. Like an umbrella of protection, I suspect we’ll see the Holy Trinity discussing our situation and letting us learn just long enough before one of them rescued us. Our hearts will soar with a new passion for worship as we realize all the ways God saved us.
We’ll understand it someday, and our first words will be, “Of course.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)