Well I mentioned that I attend a Bible Study each week. And I mentioned the tables and chairs present at said Bible Study last week.
What I didn't mention about the tables/chairs encounter last week was that while at the table, I sat with a few ladies that I didn't know. We all wear name tags that are HUGE so we can easily see each other's names. Well, I saw this lady's name (I'll call her Betty), and I wondered if she was the lady a mutual friend (I'll call her Sally) used to talk about. I'd never personally met Betty, but Sally told me LOTS about her. Sally and I were very close years ago. I had often wondered what she was up to; how she was doing, etc. I thought about asking Betty if she knew her, but I chickened out.
Fast forward to this past Monday night. I entered the room, looking to talk to another friend, when all of the sudden I hear my name - from a familiar voice. Yep - you got it....it was the voice of my friend, Sally! And even better...Sally was sitting right beside Betty!! I told Sally that I thought about asking Betty if she was "THE" Betty I'd heard so much about.
God placed Sally on my heart the week before. I've learned over the years that when a past friend 'randomly' pops to mind, it's not 'random' at all. I have tried to make it a practice to pause and pray for that person because God has brought them to mind.
Father may I never think that "I" just thought of something! May YOU be the ruler of my heart, soul, and MIND so that when seemingly random thoughts come to mind, I'll know they're placed there by YOU!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Little Is Much When God Is In It!
I had my first 'gold' party this weekend. You know the type - you get your friends to bring their gold and get paid for it. I had recently went to one that my cousin had - and I made over $600 off of small items, so I just knew everyone else would love to attend.
I set the date and began inviting people. Young, old...neighbors, coworkers, friends...everyone I could come in contact with. Many folks promised they'd come, and even said they had tons of gold. My mom invited folks who also said they'd come.
Then comes the day of the party. Several of those who had tons of gold and were definitely coming backed out on the last day. My heart sank. "Please, God - at least let me cover the cost of the food we've prepared."
The guests began arriving. Each coming in the door proclaiming "I don't have a lot of gold - but I figured I'd give it a shot." Again, my sinking heart just goes lower and lower. But we had a steady flow of people coming through.
About 3/4 of the way through, my friend told me that people were making tons of money (which in turn meant I was going to make money, too). When it was all over, I made over $900 from my friends coming to my house. Praise God!
But I began thinking about the folks who 'missed out'....one friend was offered almost $400 for some broken, kinked up gold - but she declined. Why? I don't know for sure - but did she think she could get a better offer elsewhere? And then there are those who promised to come - with their tons of gold - who backed out at the last minute. And then there were those who just blew off the opportunity. They weren't interested at all. I had provided them with a way to 'get rich quick'; to make money for the holidays....and they declined without thinking.
Then yesterday after our church service - it hit me. Aren't our lives like that? I felt tremendous sympathy for God as I thought of what He offers - so much more than money for gold - and what do we do? Some have a right relationship with Him and bring their 'little' to the relationship and allow Him to foster it and make much out of it. Some decline His offer - thinking they can find more somewhere else. Some promise to give Him their all - but they don't hold up their end of the bargain. And then there are those who ignore His call to something great - either out of indifference or ignorance.
Where do you find yourself today? Will you accept His generous offer and let Him do much with your little? Will you make grand promises to Him and back out? Or will you ignore Him?
I set the date and began inviting people. Young, old...neighbors, coworkers, friends...everyone I could come in contact with. Many folks promised they'd come, and even said they had tons of gold. My mom invited folks who also said they'd come.
Then comes the day of the party. Several of those who had tons of gold and were definitely coming backed out on the last day. My heart sank. "Please, God - at least let me cover the cost of the food we've prepared."
The guests began arriving. Each coming in the door proclaiming "I don't have a lot of gold - but I figured I'd give it a shot." Again, my sinking heart just goes lower and lower. But we had a steady flow of people coming through.
About 3/4 of the way through, my friend told me that people were making tons of money (which in turn meant I was going to make money, too). When it was all over, I made over $900 from my friends coming to my house. Praise God!
But I began thinking about the folks who 'missed out'....one friend was offered almost $400 for some broken, kinked up gold - but she declined. Why? I don't know for sure - but did she think she could get a better offer elsewhere? And then there are those who promised to come - with their tons of gold - who backed out at the last minute. And then there were those who just blew off the opportunity. They weren't interested at all. I had provided them with a way to 'get rich quick'; to make money for the holidays....and they declined without thinking.
Then yesterday after our church service - it hit me. Aren't our lives like that? I felt tremendous sympathy for God as I thought of what He offers - so much more than money for gold - and what do we do? Some have a right relationship with Him and bring their 'little' to the relationship and allow Him to foster it and make much out of it. Some decline His offer - thinking they can find more somewhere else. Some promise to give Him their all - but they don't hold up their end of the bargain. And then there are those who ignore His call to something great - either out of indifference or ignorance.
Where do you find yourself today? Will you accept His generous offer and let Him do much with your little? Will you make grand promises to Him and back out? Or will you ignore Him?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
God things...
It's been a while since I've written. Thankfully it's not been a while since God has worked!
I attend a weekly Bible study called BSF. Our meetings are held in a huge local church facility. The place is gi-normous and very comfortable. We are blessed indeed.
Now once you reach a certain weight and/or age, and you have to sit for a couple of hours at the time, you become concerned about the furniture you will be sitting on. I guarantee you that if padded pews had not been developed when they were, I would have been the one to come up with the idea! I mean padded pews make ALL the difference!
Well last night's meeting wasn't going to be in our lovely sanctuary with the padded pews. The local church already was booked. We got kicked to...are you ready for it.....the GYM (ok they call it "Activity Center", but it's a GYM!!). Chills went up and down my spine when I first heard. You can imagine the images I conjured up in my mind. Cold, hard chairs. You know the type. Those cold, metal things that were not meant to hold as much as I try to put on them, and certainly not for the length of time required. AND we have to take notes at this meeting. I have never had a lap in my lifetime!
I reluctantly went to the meeting. I really wanted an easy way out, but couldn't come up with good reason to stay home. "Sorry, but I didn't want to sit on hard chairs 'cause my bottom goes numb" isn't a really spiritual response! When I finally got my car parked, I trecked across the grass into the "activity center" (aka GYM) and what did I find? Padded chairs AND tables!
I've been wanting tables for such a long time! I've downsized my Bible and upsized my magnification on my glasses (in order to see the tiny Bible) all to keep from having to maneuver so much stuff on my non-existent lap. The majority of these ladies are of average to lower than average weight (aka skinny and plum skinny!) and for them, the sight of padded chairs AND tables meant nothing. But to me, it was simply divine!!
At the end of the evening, I had to sort of laugh. Why on earth would I get so excited about padded chairs and tables? Because my Heavenly Father knew my "need" (or desire!) and met it. And why would He do such a thing? Because He can.
Father, may I never take You for granted. May I always bless you as you have blessed me. And thank You for padded chairs and tables that make my life easier sometime!
I attend a weekly Bible study called BSF. Our meetings are held in a huge local church facility. The place is gi-normous and very comfortable. We are blessed indeed.
Now once you reach a certain weight and/or age, and you have to sit for a couple of hours at the time, you become concerned about the furniture you will be sitting on. I guarantee you that if padded pews had not been developed when they were, I would have been the one to come up with the idea! I mean padded pews make ALL the difference!
Well last night's meeting wasn't going to be in our lovely sanctuary with the padded pews. The local church already was booked. We got kicked to...are you ready for it.....the GYM (ok they call it "Activity Center", but it's a GYM!!). Chills went up and down my spine when I first heard. You can imagine the images I conjured up in my mind. Cold, hard chairs. You know the type. Those cold, metal things that were not meant to hold as much as I try to put on them, and certainly not for the length of time required. AND we have to take notes at this meeting. I have never had a lap in my lifetime!
I reluctantly went to the meeting. I really wanted an easy way out, but couldn't come up with good reason to stay home. "Sorry, but I didn't want to sit on hard chairs 'cause my bottom goes numb" isn't a really spiritual response! When I finally got my car parked, I trecked across the grass into the "activity center" (aka GYM) and what did I find? Padded chairs AND tables!
I've been wanting tables for such a long time! I've downsized my Bible and upsized my magnification on my glasses (in order to see the tiny Bible) all to keep from having to maneuver so much stuff on my non-existent lap. The majority of these ladies are of average to lower than average weight (aka skinny and plum skinny!) and for them, the sight of padded chairs AND tables meant nothing. But to me, it was simply divine!!
At the end of the evening, I had to sort of laugh. Why on earth would I get so excited about padded chairs and tables? Because my Heavenly Father knew my "need" (or desire!) and met it. And why would He do such a thing? Because He can.
Father, may I never take You for granted. May I always bless you as you have blessed me. And thank You for padded chairs and tables that make my life easier sometime!
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