how we represent God – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for June 1, 2024 – Serving God with hope and humility…it’s time to learn to iron our “clothes”!

1 Peter 5:2-6
Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord. Don’t be tyrants, but lead them by your good example, and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.

You younger men, follow the leadership of those who are older. And all of you serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud. If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My daily calendar quote, for this date (attributed to the late Erma Bombeck) says, “My second favorite household chore is ironing – my first being hitting my head on the top of the bunk bed until I faint!” Now, I happen to like ironing. I like the satisfaction that comes with making the clothes crisp and wrinkle-free. I prefer starched jeans, while my husband wants his without starch. Honestly, it takes as almost much time to set up the ironing board, spray the clothing with starch, gather hangers, and get organized as it does to press the items. But in all, I take great pride in a job well done – and in wearing neatly pressed clothing.

A lot of folks (especially younger generations) – don’t iron their clothing – and it shows! I saw a legal “expert” who was speaking on a cable news station last week, and the collar and front placket of the shirt he wore underneath a sport jacket were so wrinkled I had to wonder, “How are we to trust someone who cannot even iron his shirt and make himself presentable?” Yes, I know this is judgmental and maybe a little petty…but there is something about caring how we present ourselves to others that seems to align with these words in 1 Peter.

We are to lead by example, which means that we are to put our best foot forward as representatives of God and disciples of Jesus. We are to be “clean and neatly pressed” in our words and actions…careful to pay attention to the details and “wrinkles,” and at the same time – never judgmental of those who are not as “put together.” We are to demonstrate quietly and humbly what it means to live, love and serve well – and always offer God our very best – even in our physical, verbal, and spiritual “appearance.”

Lately, I’ve seen some “Christians” go at each other on social media. While this is nothing new, it seems to be getting worse. Each “side” is ready to cram his/her opinions and rhetoric down the throat of the other. This is not how God calls on us to share the love of Christ – or to demonstrate His teachings. We do not “win friends and influence people” – or further the Kingdom of Heaven – with tyranny and a “my-way-or-the-highway” attitude. God is calling on us to “press our shirts and jeans” and humbly present a polished representation of the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, inclusion, hope and joy of His Kingdom.

When we show up and offer our best on His behalf, God is glorified. In due time, He will honor our humble service and discipleship. Don’t do this for your own glory or blessings – do it because God will be pleased – and His Kingdom will be enriched. This is the goal – or it should be! Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for February 3, 2024 – Fixing your attention on God or adjusting to the culture – what’s are you “wearing” these days?

Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I had to laugh when I opened my devotional outline today and realized that one month ago this very day, I used Romans 12:1-2 as my scripture passage. I considered going with other verses today, but I decided that God must really want to drive home this point! So, stick with me!

Yesterday as I dressed, it occurred to me that the shirt I was wearing was at least twelve years old. I have a picture of Timothy and me that someone snapped, and I am wearing the shirt. Timothy is a toddler…and he’s now almost 15! I also realized that the shoes I had on were at least 20 years old. The other day, I asked Greg to name the oldest pair of shoes in his closet, and he said it was a pair of leather lace-up boots he bought when we first married. Indeed, I remember them being a big splurge for this newlywed couple – but something he needed for a hunting trip, as we recalled. This was almost 50 years ago, so the details are a bit fuzzy!

Yes, we hang onto things…and while we both have more current items of clothing in our closets, we’ve never been trend-setters! Moreover, we do not get rid of things just because they are outdated! And we really do not conform to societal “norms,” either. We have always been fairly introverted as a couple…we didn’t have children of our own…We don’t belong to a country club or any other “social group” – and we have not seen all the Oscar-nominated films of 2023. The last concert we attended was about a decade ago – and the performer was James Taylor! The décor of our home is so eclectic that we have “ridden the wave” of several trends and seen them wind back around to what is popular again…much like many of our clothing pieces. We both grew up learning lessons in frugality…and these have paid off well for us over the years.

I could go on, but the bottom line is that we have tried to live simply, for the most part…and to focus on the things that we prayerfully felt God wanted us to give importance. For us, the “main thing” has been to love others and treat all people with kindness, dignity, and respect. To do this, we have sometimes had to distance ourselves from a person or group. We have had to take a step back and say to ourselves, “I cannot participate in that activity – or go along with those words and actions.” Sometimes, we have simply stayed home and done what we felt God wanted us to do. The COVID pandemic is a good example of this. When others were daring to venture out into the world and “get on with their lives,” we felt God telling us to stay home and wait…and that’s what we did.

This is not a judgment on people who choose differently…the ones who are always in fashion in one way or another…or those who are naturally “social” and all but crave frequent interaction with other humans. This is not a criticism of groups, clubs, or church bodies. This is a reminder to check your words and actions and see if they line up with what God is commanding. See where you have grown complacent – or even subconsciously endeavored to fit in with the culture rather than be isolated by it in some manner.

Where has it become easier to “go along to get along” – and in doing so, to agree with bigoted, biased, and hateful talk and actions? Where is it so comfortable to be with certain people and groups that you have grown numb to the implications of their attitudes and policies?

Ask God to show you what He wants you to say and do…and see if this lines up with your current approaches and activities. Let God guide you as you make all needed adjustments to live and serve as He commands. People are watching, and they may not notice your outfit…but they will see Who you represent – and how. Make sure that you are dressed in the “full armor of God” and honoring Him in all things. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for July 13, 2019 – Forgive others and pray expectantly – get ready to watch God move mountains!

Mark 11:22-25
Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve almost made a career out of hand-wringing and head-shaking. I have prayed for this situation or that person…but usually with at least a modicum of doubt. Generally, there was a little voice in the back of my head that said, “Yeah…that’s probably not gonna happen!” I fully understand that this is “stinkin’ thinkin’”, but it’s a hard habit to shake…and the devil is making sure of that!

I realize this is ridiculous. We serve a God who can do ANY.thing! To ask Him for something with even a scrap of doubt that it can be accomplished is the same as saying, “I don’t think You are in any way as powerful as You purport to be.” We also belie our faith and confidence…if only subconsciously. I have come to the conclusion that this is ridiculous…and I need to pray more expectantly.

There are a few things we need to unpack here. First, God may not answer exactly as we expect or desire – but this doesn’t mean we should not pray with faith and confidence in His ability to answer. Additionally, we have to start with getting our own “house” in order. We have to let go of any resentments, judgments, and “baggage” we carry toward others. We have to forgive in order to be forgiven. We have to approach God’s Throne of Grace with a clean slate and a clear conscience.

Tall order? You betcha? Worth the effort? Absolutely! So I am trying my hardest to let go of all ill feelings toward any other person. I have started asking God to work in the hearts and minds of others – not to bring about the results that I desire, but to achieve His goals and objectives. As I strive to see all others through God’s eyes, I pray for them with the care and concern that I believe He would desire for them.

My prayer has become…“Lord, I know you love ABC dearly…and you want what is best for him/her. So I am asking you to bring people and circumstances to bear in this person’s life that will result in the outcome You desire. Help me to treat this person with love and respect as Your child. I know that You can move mountains…and I know that You can work in this person’s heart and mind.” I do not outline what I believe to be this person’s faults or shortcomings…I simply ask God to do the heavy lifting – and I leave the rest to Him.

I’ll be honest – since I began praying in this manner and releasing others to God’s care and concern, I have felt much lighter. A lot of us are carrying a “burden” and sense of responsibility that does not belong to us. NOTHING is too difficult for God to accomplish …but moving mountains is far and above our “pay grade” – and it’s time some of us acknowledged this!

Search your heart and mind today for persons against whom you harbor even a speck of ill will. Forgive them for anything you feel has been done against you – or any grudges you may have carried…and genuinely pray God’s will for them. Then leave this with God, where it belongs. Recognize that He is truly in charge of changing hearts and minds…and get ready for Him to begin with yours!

Daily Devotional for June 22, 2019 – Working hard in “God’s orchard” to share the love of Christ…are you making Him proud?

Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I don’t know about you, but lately I find myself somewhat “in a slump”. I want to be informed about current events…but at the same time, what is happening in our world is so depressing and disgusting that I feel terrible after just listening or reading to news reports – or looking at social media – for even a few minutes. My nephew Nathan informed me yesterday that our phones are rotting our brains. I tend to think that the current state of our world is doing the same thing! And yet, I know that God wants us to be informed and educated citizens.

I trust God’s perfect plans…and I realize that none of this is new…we can easily document that history repeats itself over and again. I continue to pray and believe that God is working behind the scenes in ways that we cannot even envision. The more I spend time with Him and learn about how He operates – and how He has worked out the difficulties of this life for countless generations before me – the more I am encouraged to “work hard in His orchard”. I know the stakes are high – but the “dividends” will be greater than I can ever imagine.

The last sentences of this passage stuck out to me today…”We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.” Indeed, we are in it for the long haul. And I know that when we persevere, stand up for what is right in God’s eyes, and continually love others – all of them – with the love of Christ, we will be blessed with “glory strength”, joy, and the privilege of taking part in all of the bright and beautiful goodness that God has in store for us.

Several days ago, I shared a meme on Facebook that said, “Never look down on anybody…only God sits that high.” So while I continue to be saddened by our current “state of affairs” – and thoroughly disgusted by the words and actions of more than a few – I am hopeful and happy, and determined to love others – all of them! I know that God is in complete control …that by loving even these “stinkers” I am honoring God’s love for me. I know that He will strengthen and bless every effort I make to remain faithful and obedient – and reward me with joy and peace.

It’s time to stop gritting our teeth – and operate in God’s strength with love and joy. The more that we pray for one another, love each other, and work hard in God’s orchard, the more we can take part in the good stuff He offers. Are you ready to get started?

Daily Devotional for April 22, 2018 – It’s time to “plant some flowers”!

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God’s favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.

On this week’s episode of CBS Sunday Morning, there was a segment* about old cemeteries where graves were originally created to hold planters for beautiful flower gardens. Over time, people neglected these graves – and weeds overcame the flowers. But the executive director of a cemetery in West Philadelphia set out to change this. She solicited the help of 25 gardeners to clean up the graves and plant new flowers. Seventy-five people answered her call.

One “gardener” said that working in the soil and planting beautiful flowers atop a grave gave her the opportunity to confront some of her own thoughts and fears. She developed a new perspective on death – and life. Many who come to the cemetery to work the soil spend hours researching Victorian plants to create an authentic garden…and their “work” offers them a chance to create “beauty for ashes”…a semblance of joy and praise for mourning and heaviness. It’s as if God is showing the stewards of these memorial grounds that even in the “resting place” of the dead, “life” can abound.

God is speaking to each of us today. For some, He is saying, “All is not lost.” I don’t know what weighs you down. I am not privy to your burdens or concerns, and I don’t need to be. God knows them…and He is telling you to “plant flowers”. Believe that He is with you – and in complete control. Trust Him to bring beauty from the ashes and turn your heartaches and burdens into happiness and lightheartedness. Allow God to meet you right where you are…and fill you with hope and courage.

This morning, I passed out post-it notes to my 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday school students. I told each child to make note of four things about God’s love and goodness that they wanted to remember this week. As I handed the papers to one boy, I said, “I will help you with your answers.” He replied, “You don’t have to.” Gesturing to his open Bible, he added, “I already have them in here!”

This is the kind of faith and confidence that you and I need to cultivate. We need to recognize that God has given us everything we need…that His goodness exceeds what we could ever imagine…and His abundance far surpasses our ability to comprehend it. God is waiting to comfort and strengthen us – and to undergird us in every situation. Are we ready to “bloom where we are planted” and abide in His goodness? Don’t you think we should be?

* https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grave-gardening-tending-more-than-just-flowers/

Daily Devotional for April 18, 2018 – When God is our “surgeon”…

Hebrews 4:12-13
What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.

The relative of a friend of mine had heart surgery on Monday. The doctor and the surgical staff did precision work to replace a heart valve – and repair an aneurysm and a blocked artery. Let’s be honest…we wouldn’t want just anyone performing such a procedure on us, would we?! We would want someone who knew exactly where to cut… exactly how to mend and what to extract or replace! We would want someone to do the work who knew what he/she was looking for – and we would not want there to be any surprises!

God’s word is more precise and accurate than a surgeon’s cutting skills. His desires for us to hear His word – and live by it – are beyond our comprehension. God knows our every thought, word and deed already…and it is His desire that everything we think, say and do will come into line with what He has given us.

We can trust that God has given us direct commands…and living examples of how to walk in His word. And all of these are vital to us as we cultivate our Christian discipleship. Because God knows everything about us already, there is no place to run or hide…we will have to answer to Him someday for all of our behaviors.

I don’t mean to judge others, but I believe many people are going to have a hard time explaining their lives to God. They have become so adept at spinning things to suit their agenda that they actually believe what they are peddling! But God knows the truth…He cannot be fooled!

My prayer is that what I present to God will be humble, obedient…and the best I have to offer. It may not be pretty or eloquent…but I want to live in a way that “what you see is what you get”. I want God’s word to cut right to my heart. I want His surgical precision to mend and heal me – and replace any bad “parts” with ones that work according to His will.

When I am “laid bare” before Him, I want God to be pleased with what is revealed. I am working hard to make sure that I hear His word – and live by it. What about you?

Daily Devotional for April 14, 2018 – Who are you trying to impress?

Galatians 2:17-21
Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren’t perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin? The accusation is frivolous. If I was “trying to be good,” I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan.

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

I heard a man on a television show say that his Catholic grandmother did not allow him to leave the house without making the sign of the cross. She once lay atop the hood of his car and refused to move until he made this sign with his hands. The man knows this does not make him a Christian…and his devoted Catholic grandmother probably knew it, too. But it does show that sometimes, we get so caught up in rituals and “rules of the church” that we lose sight of God’s desire for us…and how to truly live for Him.

Timmy and I have been watching “The Peanuts Movie”. Poor Charlie Brown keeps trying to impress everyone with his “talents and abilities”…and they always seem to fall short. Does this make him a bad person? Not at all. Charlie has great qualities…but he doesn’t recognize them. So he keeps trying to impress others and show them how wonderful he is. This is a lot of what you and I do. We keep trying to “perform”…to behave in a certain way that we think pleases God and those around us – and makes us a “good Christian”.

We fail to recognize that our redemption by the blood of Christ settled things once and for all. We believe we must jump through hoops and perform specific rituals in order to belong to God. In truth, the sacrifice of Christ’s blood on the cross covered our sins forever and ever. The only thing we have to do is accept this gift of salvation, abide in His grace, mercy and forgiveness – and spend the rest of our lives praising and serving Him.

If making the sign of the cross makes you feel closer to God, go for it. But don’t for one minute think that this ritual – or any other – saves you or makes you a Christian! Quit being a “lawman” and trying to appear pious and faithful…and really trust in God. Stop attempting to behave in a way that you think pleases others and demonstrates that you are a “good Christian”. Get busy truly living for God…and serve Him humbly and obediently with your words and actions.

Understand what the Apostle Paul is saying…if rituals and mortal rules of behavior make us Christians, then Christ suffered and died for nothing. I don’t believe this for one minute…do you?

Daily Devotional for March 23, 2018 – Are you fulfilling your mission?

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it.

Have you ever known someone who you felt died without ever establishing a personal relationship with Jesus? How did that affect you? In my lifetime, this has happened a few times…and I can tell you, it grieved me greatly. Was there more that I could have done? Did my words and actions give them a clear view of who Jesus is and what He can do for each of us? Did I try hard enough to share the love of Christ with them – and encourage them to invite Him into their hearts?

You may think, “Who does she think she is to assume such responsibility for another person’s salvation?!” On Day 37 of study in The Purpose Driven Life*, we are reminded that one of the most important things we will do on this earth is to share Jesus Christ with others and encourage them to invite Him to be their Lord and Savior. This is our ultimate mission as Christ’s disciples.

I distinctly remember two older men to whom my mother witnessed continually. We both prayed that they would accept Jesus. Each man expressed interest in becoming a Christian…but there was also reluctance. One of them actually told my mother that he wanted to believe in Jesus…but he just wasn’t sure he could. I have to trust that Mother did everything she could to win these two – and surely countless others – to Jesus. And this is my message today…we have to try.

We are not God. We do not personally have the power to change another person’s heart and mind. But as Christians, we have the power of God flowing through us. When we operate within God’s directives and trust Him to do what we cannot, amazing things can happen. Most certainly, we must make sure that every one of our words and actions are Godly, kind and loving…because I can assure you that people.are.watching!

As I think about those I personally knew who may have died without a relationship with Jesus, I must trust that I did all I could to demonstrate my faith and the hope that Jesus gives me. Ultimately, this decision is up to each individual…but the opportunity to make a difference is ours. How are you representing Jesus and fulfilling your mission these days?

*The Purpose Driven Life ~ http://purposedriven.com

Daily Devotional for March 21, 2018 – Embracing your weakness…

2 Corinthians 4:7
But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.

Yesterday, I spoke with three friends who reminded me that life is filled with challenges and difficulties. One is dealing with the grief of losing her father. Another is battling serious problems with his eyes that threaten to permanently affect his vision. And another has concerns for his aging father and the myriad of trials that can befall a senior adult.

I started to think about how many people I know who are putting one foot in front of the other and “getting it done”, despite struggles with some sort of hardship – both great and small ones. I was reminded that God is using them in spite of their problems – and he can do this for us, as well.

On Day 35 of our study in The Purpose Driven Life*, we learn that God can use our weaknesses. I know this to be true in my own life. I have seen how God uses my grief to make me more empathetic toward those who have suffered a loss and are hurting. I have seen Him take my physical challenges and limitations and turn them into opportunities to grow through adaptation and a deeper understanding of what others go through every day.

God has used our three little ones and all that we have experienced with them to give me deeper insights into what goes on in a child’s mind. He has strengthened my appreciation for how critical it is to nurture and encourage them in all aspects of life – right from the beginning. God has used my experiences in caregiving for my grandparents and other aging and infirm loved ones to broaden my appreciation and compassion for senior citizens and those who are sick or injured.

Were it not for tests and personal weaknesses, we wouldn’t be as effective in God’s missions and ministries. If everything in our lives had always gone perfectly, we might be tempted to assume that we were something special. We certainly might not depend on God to strengthen and equip us as we should.

Surely not as much would get done to further God’s Kingdom if everyone thought he/she was perfect and nobody could empathize with others. If we fail to acknowledge our weaknesses, we do not rely on faith in God to overcome them…and our witness is sorely affected.

God uses imperfect, weak people…folks just like you and me. Acknowledge your dependence on Him to fill in the gaps and make you strong and effective where you are lacking. Never fail to serve because you think your imperfection is a hindrance. Embrace who God made you to be – and the experiences He has allowed in your life. Use these to serve Him by serving others with love, compassion and empathy.

Be one of the servants who demonstrates continual faith and trust in God to handle every situation rather than try to hide from adversity. One of your greatest gifts from God may be the weaknesses He allows in your life, because out of them may come the strongest impact of your mission and ministry.

Where are you letting weakness hold you back today? Isn’t this the perfect time to “let go and let God” make the difference?

*The Purpose Driven Life ~ http://purposedriven.com

Daily Devotional for March 17, 2018 – Finding your gifts – and using them well

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

If you think God didn’t make each of us uniquely different, you should spend some time with Timothy, Zola and Nathan! While these siblings share several “likes and dislikes” – from an interest in movies and “spa baths” to a universal distaste for naps…each has his/her own distinct personality, skills and abilities, just as God designed.

Timmy is a “deep thinker”. Zola is the best “little mother” in the world and cares deeply about everyone. Nathan is a good sport who can generally be counted on to concede and “keep the peace”. I have no idea what each will grow up to be, but I know that God has an amazing plan and purpose for each of them. Just as He has given you and me specific and important gifts of service, God has something in mind for each of these children that only they can accomplish.

On Day 31 of study in The Purpose Driven Life*, we are told that even unpleasant or difficult experiences can be “teaching ground” for using our gifts. I know that my empathy for adults with screaming children in the check-out line at Walmart has grown tenfold since our three children were toddlers. We now have a better understanding of “meltdowns” in restaurants and “unruly” public behavior by tired little ones.

I spent many hours in frustration as I dealt with Medicare, nursing homes, and other people and agencies responsible for providing services to my aging grandmother. But I have been able to assist several people in similar situations because of my experiences. Even when I was unable to help them avoid certain pitfalls or unpleasant situations, I could at least assure them that…”You are not alone…many people are in the same boat as you – and we’re all here for you!”

I can handle a minor scrape or cut…but I grow faint at the sight of needles. I would never make it in the medical field. The first time I had to give an injection or draw blood, it would all be over. But I am so grateful that many people have strong “constitutions” and are not the least bit fazed by such things. God made them that way. I have the utmost respect for people who are mechanically inclined…those who understand physics and chemistry…artisans who can build things with their hands…and anyone who can make cupcake icing look pretty! One of my former Sunday school students is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot…and I am in awe!

The point is that God made you and me really good at some things. The “gifts” that elude us were designed for others. If you ice cupcakes like a pro, make a batch for someone whose spirits need boosting. If tinkering on cars is your “thing”, offer to service the car of a widow or single mother in your church or neighborhood. If you’ve been through a difficult experience and know someone else who is in the same situation, reach out and let him/her know that you understand…and perhaps you can share how God got you through it!

Figure out your gifts, and use them well. Remember to “stay in your lane” and do what God has called you to do. Don’t try to be all things to all people, because you can’t…and this is not what God intended. In other words, if God didn’t make you a pilot, don’t try to fly the helicopter! Spend some time in prayer and reflection, and figure out how God has gifted you for service in His Kingdom. Then get BUSY! You are blessed to be a blessing. How will you use your gifts to serve God today?

*The Purpose Driven Life ~ http://purposedriven.com

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: