Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
As a young teenager, I remember hearing my dad share a
story he once heard that simply reminds us to keep our fork. Even in recent years, I have heard my dad
tell this story on more than one occasion.
The message in it is so simple, yet the meaning behind the message is so
profound. The story tells of a man who
was told to “keep his fork,” while attending a dinner on the grounds at church
one Sunday. When he asked why, another
church member responded, “For dessert.
The best is yet to come!”
What would the world be like if Christians everywhere
held on to this attitude in our everyday existence? Instead of griping and complaining about
every twist and turn our lives may take, what if we simply held on to the
promise in God’s Word that the best truly is yet to come? Just as the man was instructed to keep his
fork, we should keep our faith. The
Bible tells us to stand firm in our faith.
Yet we often find ourselves floundering, uncertain of our future,
wondering if God can even hear our prayers.
We get caught up in whether or not the new flowers on the
communion table match the sanctuary. We
grapple over the choir director’s choices of songs each Sunday and we debate
over which deacon should lead the offertory prayer. From paint colors to upholstery and cleaning
products to hymn books, individuals in churches tend to focus on the things
that are insignificant. More important
focal points would be whether or not the people of the church were seeking
God’s will in every decision they make, not only in the life of the church, but
in their own lives as well.
God’s Word says that without faith, it is impossible to
please God. If we micromanage every
aspect of the church and never consult the true Head of the church, then it is
certain that all efforts to succeed spiritually will fail. We must put our lives and our ministries in
God’s hands. We must pray and seek His
direction. We cannot throw our fork on
the tray every single time, expecting that a new one will be at our disposal. We also cannot assume that dessert will be
served with every meal. Sometimes, we
must delve deeper into the main course first.
In this case, we are talking about spending more time in prayer and less
time waiting for the next blessing to ascend.
There will be many times in our lives when God says,
wait. He may not answer our prayers the
first or second time we seek His will for our lives. He may be preparing us in advance for a
greater work beyond our imagination. But
whether we see the hand of God move in our lives instantly or years down the
road, we must have faith that He is working on our behalf. Just like the man who was told to keep his
fork, he sat in expectation that dessert would be served. He didn’t complain about the slow service or
the fact he would have to eat it with a fork that he had used to eat his main
course. He just sat and waited
patiently, with the knowledge that the best truly was on its way.
In Ecclesiastes 7:10, we read that the best is yet to
come. It simply says that it is not wise
to ask if the old days were better. We
must focus on the days ahead. You may be
going through a trial that seems insurmountable. Recently, I learned of an entire family who
perished in an accident. I cannot
imagine the grief that their loved ones must be going through. But even for these individuals, who are
overcome with sorrow, I can tell them with a calm assurance that I know the
best is yet to come.
God’s will is
greater than our own will. He always
knows what is best. While many things in
life cannot be explained in this life, you can rest assured that God works all
things together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His
purpose. One day, we will reach our
Heavenly home. The trials of this life
will be a distant memory. Everything
will become as clear as day. So keep
your fork; the best is yet to come!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
As I sit here watching the cursor blink on my screen, I am reflecting back on the past 99 blogs that I have written. I’ve written about personal struggles, joyous occasions, and many of my favorite scriptures. When I wrote my first blog, I had just watched the movie Julie & Julia. In the movie, Julie writes a cooking blog. So I decided I should have my own blog too. I wondered if anyone would even read the words I wrote. Inevitably, I have come to realize that God used an unlikely source, this particular movie, to lead me to write this inspirational blog. As for my concerns that no one would read my blog, I have had over 44,000 readers so far. You see, God can take something that seems quite insignificant and transform it into something extraordinarily monumental.
I am reminded of the stories we read in the Bible of the loaves and fishes. The disciples told Jesus that the people needed to go to the nearby villages and get something to eat. Jesus said there was no need to send them away. He simply told the disciples to give them something to eat. Jesus’ disciples nearly panicked when Jesus told them to feed the thousands of people. What good would a few pieces of bread and a handful of fish do when there was literally a multitude to feed? I can only imagine how stressed they were at that very moment. I mean, they couldn’t run to the nearby Sam’s Club or Costco and load up a flatbed cart full of the necessary items to prepare a delightful meal of the highest quality fish and artisan bread. Who knows how close the nearest market even was? But they didn’t want to disappoint Jesus, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I’m sure they held the loaves and fish in their hands, trying to come up with a plan in what seemed like an impossible situation. Soon they found out once more that nothing is impossible with God.
When Jesus saw their concern, He said, “‘Bring them here to me’” (Matthew 14:18 NIV). Before He had the disciples pass out the food, He gave thanks to God. An act so small, saying a blessing over the five loaves and two fish, resulted in a miracle. Matthew 14: 20-21 (NIV) says, “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” God did not just provide the minimal amount to feed everyone there, but there were leftovers! Imagine the disciples’ faces as they picked up the pieces that were not eaten because the crowd had had their fill.
Our lives are a lot like the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Many times, we are given blessings or responsibilities that may seem small at first, but inevitably, every little thing we do for the Kingdom of God is epic in proportion. I am reminded of the beloved song written by Kittie L. Suffield in 1924 titled, “Little Is Much When God Is In It.” The chorus states:
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. Whether your calling is to teach Sunday School, clean houses, collect donations for the food pantry, serve as a Wal-Mart greeter, care for the sick and elderly, or any other responsibility the Lord has entrusted to you, I want you to know that what you do matters. Why? Everything you do unto the Lord is noticed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He knows when you give someone a meal, when you smile at someone, and even when you whisper a silent prayer for someone on your mind. One glorious day, we will lay down our cares and worries of this life. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will hear the words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
While I pray that God uses this blog to encourage someone in their journey through life, it matters not whether it is read by 10 or 10,000. What matters most is that I write it for the cause of Christ. For only Jesus Christ has the power to use it to uplift someone who is downtrodden, bring hope to someone lost in a sea of despair, or encourage someone who is crying out to God for a much-needed miracle in their life. I am just the messenger. It is my prayer that God can use me as a willing vessel. With Him in my corner, I know that this blog will make the next hundred and even hundreds more after that. Why? Because with God, all things are possible!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Can you believe that the first full week of the year 2013 is now history? Seven days of the New Year have already come and gone. Either those New Year’s resolutions you and I made are clicking right along or else they have fallen by the wayside. There are now only 358 days remaining to make a difference in the year 2013. Only 358 more opportunities to start the day with a smile on your face, make someone’s day brighter, or end the day with thanksgiving to God for blessing you with another day to love, another day to laugh, and another day to live.
Living is what my New Year’s resolution is all about. Sure, I’ve made resolutions in the past to lose weight, consume less sugar, exercise more, etc. While I still plan to work on these things, I wanted to make a resolution that I could stick to, one that would make a difference not only in my own life, but in the lives of others around me. And so, my New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to love life more, love my family and friends more, and love Jesus Christ even more. Granted, I already love all of these things with all of my heart and soul, but I still know that there is an infinite amount of love in the world, so there is always more love to give. And that’s what I want to do in 2013: give more love to the ones I love the most!
In life, we get so busy that it is easy to get wrapped up in our daily routines, not even realizing the day-to-day blessings that God bestows upon us. It could be a hug, a smile, a handshake, or a sweet note, a smiley face, or a cup of coffee. Even the smallest little things can make a huge difference in our day. We may even set out to bless someone else in return, thinking we will pay it forward and do something nice for them tomorrow. 365 days later, the year has come and gone, seemingly unbeknownst to us. We don’t mean to forget, but the year comes and goes so fast that we simply lose track of time. And so, I urge you to make the most of every single day, even on the busiest of days.
Don’t let one minute sneak by you. Enjoy every moment of your life, whether you are at the office, sitting in a hospital waiting room, or riding the subway home in the evening. It doesn’t matter if you are walking down the aisles of the grocery store, driving your son or daughter to soccer practice, or waiting at a red light, there is always a blessing waiting just around the bend. Sometimes, it comes when we least expect it. And sadly, there are times when it comes and we don’t notice it at all. That’s why we need to pay special attention to every day of the year. Why? You never know if tomorrow might end up being recorded in your book of memories as the best day of 2013!
What about you? What are your resolutions for 2013? What goals do you hope to achieve? What hurdles do you hope to jump over? Who can you love more? How can you enjoy life more? I would like to give you a little assignment. I challenge you to post a comment below where you list one resolution you have for the New Year. Big or small, write one thing down. You’ll be surprised at how writing it down can be the little nudge you need to watch yourself actually achieve whatever it is you set out to accomplish! Plus, we’re all in this together. I’d be happy to pray for you and help encourage you in your journey to success! May God bless you always and may you always remember to live every moment to the fullest! There are 51 weeks left of 2013! What are you waiting for? Get out there and LIVE!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
What
about you? Would you pick up a
starfish? Maybe your starfish is not a
starfish at all, but maybe God is calling you to telephone a friend who needs a
word of encouragement or purchase a bag of groceries for the family next door. Perhaps God has laid it on your heart to
provide a meal for the homeless person you see on the corner each morning you
drive to work, or to smile at someone who looks like they are having a bad
day. I’m sure many of us would jump at
the chance to go on a mission trip to the other side of the world, or to
provide clothes, household items, and food for a family whose house burned down. While these things are certainly worthwhile,
we need to make sure we do not lose sight of the daily blessing we can be to
others.
When Jesus returns to this earth, the Bible says that He will say to those blessed by His Father, “‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV). The righteous will ask, “‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’” (Matthew 25:37-39 NIV). Jesus will reply, “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).
When we help someone in need, we may
not even know their name. But God knows
exactly who they are. He knows whether
or not we will help them. And if we do
help them, we are helping Jesus. For
whatever we do for someone in need, we are doing for Him. So the next time you make a phone call to
check on someone, visit the local nursing home, pay for someone’s meal, or
simply share a smile to brighten someone’s day, remember, you are doing it for
Jesus. It may seem insignificant to you,
but it is significant to God. Even the
smallest action, like tossing a starfish back into the water, can make a huge
difference in someone’s life. In the case of the starfish, it not
only changed its life, but saved it.
In
Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Have you ever had a frustrating experience? Or was there ever a time that your patience was tested? Surely, all of us have been frustrated or lacking patience at some point in our lives. It is during these times that we need to call on the name of Jesus to calm our spirits and bestow upon us the divine patience that only He can give.
The alarm clock sounded. I woke up on time. Yet I drove out of the driveway fifteen minutes late at 5:45 a.m. Still, I had allowed adequate time to get to my destination, so I was not too concerned. The only thing that concerned me was the fact that my phone picked this particular morning to malfunction. Making this three and a half hour journey without a properly working cell phone had me a little on the edge, to say the least. Quickly, I composed myself and began to pray…for my phone. Shortly after, my phone began to run like a Swiss watch. I’m so grateful that God even cares about the little things. It wasn’t until the last few miles of my journey did I realize just how God’s hand had covered much more than my phone.
The last four and a half miles of Interstate travel took more than 45 minutes to navigate, due to a three-car pile-up. While I am certainly not an expert on vehicular accidents, it appeared that the accident had likely taken place approximately fifteen minutes prior. Fifteen minutes. The amount of time I was delayed. Immediately, I began to pray for those involved in the accident, that their lives would be spared and that God would place His hand upon them. And I quietly thanked Him, too, that I was spared from this accident.
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| Part of the WOF team praising God |
Upon my arrival in downtown Tampa, I had difficulty finding my way through the maze of construction and detours. Yet I ended up in a parking garage, parked right next to a dear friend I had not seen since last year’s Women of Faith event. The entire weekend was a waterfall of unexpected blessings like this one. From a seat right next to the Porch Pals the entire weekend to spending time with dear friends, everything was better than I could have ever imagined. And some moments were so special that an experienced screenwriter could not have penned them so beautifully. There were so many highlights, including my visits with Sheila Walsh, Mary Graham, and so many other special people who have grown so very dear to my heart, along with the sweet spirit that was present throughout the arena. These moments made a wonderful weekend even more precious.
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| Sheila Walsh and I |
Of course, the weekend would not have been as meaningful without the encouragement and inspiration presented by the Women of Faith team. One pivotal moment was when my question was answered by Sheila Walsh and Dr. Henry Cloud during the Q&A session on Friday afternoon. It was as if God was speaking through them, for the Holy Spirit knew exactly what I needed to hear. Natalie Grant’s rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul” brought to mind 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV): “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” This scripture exemplifies the way that all of the Women of Faith speakers and artists dedicate their lives to sending off the sweet spirit of the Lord to thousands of women every year.
Every moment of the weekend was incredible. And the entire time, I wondered, how would the weekend have been if I had not left fifteen minutes late? What would it have been like if I had gotten angry instead of getting through to the throne of grace? All weekend, I told others of my journey to Women of Faith this year. And the entire time, I felt as if I was walking on cloud nine. My smile was wider, my steps were lighter, and I am sure I was beaming with joy because I was filled to overflowing with the goodness of the Lord. Little did I know, amidst the fullness of joy in my heart, that God was still preparing another test of my patience.
On Friday night, I walked out of the arena when the event was over, expecting to find the shuttle waiting to transport me to my nearby hotel. Yet, countless buses, vans, cars, shuttles, and taxi cabs drove by, picking up ladies from all walks of life. All except for the shuttle I was waiting for. Fifteen minutes went by. The hotel said they were on their way. Fifteen more minutes passed. The shuttle driver relayed a message via telephone that the roads were blocked. The police said the roads were clear. Twelve ladies remained. The other 7,000+ had found a way to their accommodations for the evening. A taxi cab came by and took four ladies to our hotel for two dollars each. Inexpensive? Yes. Did I go? No. Something tugged at my heart, urging me to wait. Just wait. After waiting for over an hour, the shuttle finally came. Apparently, the shuttle driver was having a difficult night. We had been asked to stop by the front desk when we arrived at the hotel. The manager apologized. Our patience was rewarded with $100 being deducted from our bill. God amazed me once more by turning this aggravation into a blessing in disguise.
Sometimes, God wants us to wait patiently to avoid a harmful circumstance. Other times, He wants us to wait patiently for a blessing that He has in store. Psalm 37:7 (NIV) says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” God’s word does not call us to fidget and become frustrated while we are waiting. Instead, it says that we should “be still” and “wait patiently.” So, the next time you’re in line and someone in front of you seems to be using their debit card for the first time, wait patiently. God may use you to minister to them or someone around you. Or if your flight is delayed, remember that God may know something you do not. Even a small delay could be the difference between life and death. Our Heavenly Father truly knows best.
When I think back to all of the times God has protected me from harm, and I consider the times when I didn’t even know harm existed, I fall in love with Him all over again. He loves us unconditionally. There is never a time in your life that God is not thinking about you. He wants you to listen to His still, small voice. Sure, you may have to wait. Every day, I am reminded that patience really is a virtue. At times, it may be a struggle to demonstrate patience, especially after waiting for days, months, or years. But God’s word says that like Abraham, we, too, will receive what is promised if we wait patiently on Him (Hebrews 6:15). Be still. Wait patiently. And see God move.
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer