Now You See It Now You Don’t

Boy do I have a story to tell!! Listen to this and then tell me how amazingly awesome our God is!

      I was in the process of changing out my loads of laundry when I discovered a red patch on my orange p.j bottoms. I was frantically searching for the crayon my son may have left in one of his pockets, or that red shirt that accidently got thrown into the wash. I could feel myself getting upset, you have to know that these were no ordinary p.j bottoms. These sported my favorite team! Can you say GO BIG ORANGE!!!! That s right I love Tennessee Football. And I had just received these from my husband not even a week prior. As I unloaded the washer I praised God that there where no other articles of clothing destroyed. Mind you I was still scratching my head as to how the red got on my p.js. I put them away in my drawer and was determined to keep them regardless how they looked. A few days later, I was getting ready for bed and I pulled out my orange bottoms and top. I searched and searched for the massive red blotch and I tell you the truth…. It was gone. They were not rewashed, and I could remember trying to get it off with water. I knew that the Lord was trying to get my attention about something so I just prayed and really went about my business.

A few days later, as I am cleaning my kitchen, I just so happened to look out my back door and noticed pretty blue flowers springing up. We are just now trying to grow grass so I thought it an unusual, but a pleasent sight. I quickly went back to work at doing the chores of the day. Today, the Lord would catch my attention again.

     At the beginning of August, a neighbor of ours was selling pansies to earn money toward her sport of cheerleading. I ordered pretty blue ones and today was the day her father dropped them off. I don’t know anything about planting these things so I decided I would deligate that job to Kevin, my husband.  I was told that they needed to be watered often even if they weren’t planted right away.   I went out to the back to put them on our little stoop to water, and looked for those blue flowers I had seen previous to compare them. Yep, your right! They were gone. No yard work had been done after seeing them so I knew that my husband had not done anything with them, and I know the children didn’t touch them because they are not allowed in the back yard, yet!!! So I immediatly felt fear, ( fear/ respect for the Lords presence which  was known). Trembling I immediatly wanted to call my mom, but was reminded, that I must seek Him first. I went straigth to scripture and below is what I found. ( note that during both views I was working diligently for the Lord, blessing my family with a clean home.)

     Let me first give you some background of where I have been with the Lord here latly.

     I am very active with my church, and recently we moved 30 min further away.  I have had a battle on my hands with just how much I can be involved now that it takes more time to get there. But with  the Lord s guidance He has led me to continue working in this church.  I am teaching a bible study on Tuesday mornings.  It is He Speaks To Me, by Priscella Shirer.  It is a wonderful study and how perfect of a time to hear my Lord loud and clear. And recently He has led me to continue being a part of the churches outreach program.    Infact it is through this ministry that I met my great friend Cass a few years ago.

     When we moved I knew that it was the Lord beginning another chapter in my life, and I knew that ministry of some kind would be directed.

      He has slowly been showing me ministry opportunities in my own neighborhood and abroad.  I have just been in the mode of procrastination. 

     I met a mom at my daughters new school.  She too just recently moved to the area.  Out of all the moms I met that day, she remained in my mind.  A few weeks went by and we would meet again at a school orientation, it is there that we actually exchanged numbers. The Lord impressed upon my heart to call her and invite her to the bible study. I of course procrastinated and as hours turned to days, and days into weeks the phone call was never made, and the first session was underway.

      The Wednesday after our 1 session Jenny reaches out to me with a message that I so joyfully accepted. “Maybe we can get together for some coffee or something?” I immediatly called her back and I knew that the conversation was not to end until I invited her to the study. To my surprise(why I don’t know) she enthusiastically said ” Thats something I really need. The Lord placed Jenny in my life without a doubt.

      The Lord has others stamped in my heart. When we first moved here, the neighbors children welcomed mine with wonderful play and excitement. They are wonderful boys! Every morning when we go to school they make it a race to see who get s in the car first and drives to school the fastest. I had talked to there mom once and very rushed. I asked if she would keep an eye on the house while we were away for the weekend. She of course said sure. But goofy me, I didn’t even know her name, leave my number, nothing. I knew that I must go to her, but I often made excuses or busied myself. This morning it hit me hard that I must go. So I actually brushed my hair and teeth before leaving for school and decided I was going to see her when we came home. Well of course you know I hit a speed bump, Kevin calls and asks for me to bring something home for breakfast. Okay Lord. (Husband first!!!) So I gather his breakfast, and while driving I was going back and forth do I take my husband a warm breakfast or does he eat it cold. Do I stop or do I just wait until I send him off to work. Well I knew that if I went into the house without stopping that I would not come back out. I was going to be cleaning and I knew it would keep me occupied for awhile. So after a few yes, no yes no. I finally told my little girl that I was going to talk to her for a minute just to wait for me.

     The night before I was wondering what gift should I come baring. I thought about a tasty desert but I can’t cook and I just knew an egg shell would end up in the mix. The Lord planly said your name and number would be fine. Why in the world do we think we have to make things so extravegant when He knows what we need to do….. Anyway, so I came bearing my address, phone numbers etc. We had a great conversation and I used the line jenny used, maybe we could get together sometime and go out for coffee or something. She was delighted. Of course she is going out of town this week so we will meet next week. Wow talking about Gods timing!!!! Why do we make things harder than they really are?

     Okay almost done with the pre-work. Now I have another neighbor whom is hispanic. She is new to alabama and is learning English. I really like her she is so bubbly and so friendly. But I am discouraged because of the language barrier. I know the more friends she has to speak english to the better she will learn. But I have hit the slow go. I need this friendship but I don’t know how to overcome my fears. The Lord tells you what you need to do!!! It is so funny when I see Zoey and her son play, I think why can’t I do that. They don’t understand each other at all but they still enjoy each others company, and seem to get along wonderfully. Wow you know the lessons the Lord teaches through children….

     Now this is what He revealed to me today… 

       He reaffirmed it indeed was His miracles.  When He led me to this verse.  By this you shall know that God is among you.  Joshua 3:10

     He reminded me what my position is here on earth.  You shall be witnesses to me all through the earth.

     He encouraged me to: Be Strong and Work!!! Haggi 2:4

     He also reminded me in Eccel 10:18- That because of laziness the building decays and through idleness of the hands the building leaks.

     I don’t want anyone to miss out on what the love of Jesus has to offer, because of my laziness or idle hands.

     He tells me not to be afraid in Deu 7:17-18

      In Gen 2:15- I am reminded that He put man back in the garden to tend to it and keep it.  The purpose of my life is to tend to those who need Jesus and keep encouraging those who already have Him.

     The awareness of God energizes us for our work.(Charles Stanley)

     I have a great fire built within me and nothing will consume it. I must take this power and do as the Lord has directed. I will not be afraid for He is with me and has prepared my path.

                                      Here s to the Great Commission!!!

  Matthew 28:19,20

     Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with ou always, even to the end of the age.  Amen.

                  Psalms 100:2  I will serve the Lord with gladness!!!!