Thank You for waking me up just before 3 pm so I could make it to church on time to get assignment and for filling all the doors so that I had no official position except to wander and interact with people. That was the most perfect position for me today. It allowed me to escort a girl and her mother to Transit (the middle school environment) for the first time, help people to their seats in the auditorium including the parents of a 7wk old baby. I was able to talk with one of my close friends who was working on the information desk and hear how this Christmas was much better because last year her niece spent Christmas in the hospital after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. And then another friend on the info desk exclaimed that every day was Christmas because every day we involve Christ is Christmas!
You saw through me a dad and his 15 mos old son sitting in the hallway because his son had a cold. We (You and I) played with him, at his level...crawling, kneeling so we could walk on his level. Falling on the floor with him, going where he wanted to explore, but ultimately directing him to where he needed to be. You do that with us don't You Father? And we can choose to go willingly, wonderingly, or kicking and screaming. Eventually we still get where You need us to go, but it is up to us to choose how we will get there. Will our journey be a pleasant one of trust that may be more direct? Will it take longer because we keep looking back on what we want but ultimately keep letting Your trusting hand guide us, pick us back up, and meet us where we are?
Like the little boy today, will we be hesitant to let go of Your hand to stand on our own two feet while You walk beside us? Or unlike him today, will we doubt Your sovereignty and wisdom, compassion and love and grace for us and wander in the desert for 40 years like the Israelites after leaving Egypt Wow, I didn't realize there was so much to learn and grow from playing with him today! A learning to trust and be guided, yet still have free will to ultimately choose. Are You asking if I trust You Father, trust You to lead me dispite my surroundings? To learn to trust gently in You as I learn to trust myself, to trust that I know more than I think I do regarding nursing and caring for people but also that I am and am willing to and am learning every day tat I'm at work and even when I'm not. In learning to trust my steps as that sweet boy did but I'm also learning to trust You more and more and let You live through me.
Is that what the 18 mos old girl, that sweet, energetic girl symbolize? When You live through us, we can run and play and squeal and get back up when we fall down. We see the ordinary and create it to be something wonderful, something useful. Like the doorstop- she picked it up, put it up to her face and used it as a telephone. Then she held it up to my face and anyone else who would participate. She ran around not caring what others thought but running up to some and interacting, smiling, laughing, spinning around squealing with delight. All the while I'm running around with her, blocking her,picking her up, spinning her around. And then we paused at the horizontal wooden slatted wall and ran our fingers across the slats listening to the noise it made and she placed her back against it sliding up and down to see how it felt. I'm glad You reminded me of that moment. It is wonderful to see through the eye of a child, like it was the day at the park with 2 yr old Abigail. Thank You for answering that prayer; may You continue to show me things through the eyes of a child. You are faithful. And all the while playing with both children, one after the other, instead of becoming tired, I was energized! That is what it is like to spend time with Jesus and let Him live through me, isn't it Father? The more we, the more I, spend time with Hi, with You, the more energized and equipped for this world I become. I love that!
Other gifts you sent my way at church:
1. Rain
2.Complements from people regarding playing with the kids
3.A complement on my skirt
4. An exchange of telephone numbers and request to babysit for the little boy
- Another opportunity to love a family, get to know them, and even make extra money as a side benefit
Father, do you want me to give all my extra money (from babysitting etc) in the give pile instead of just a percentage? Where would you have the money go in Your Kingdom? Where would You have me invest it? As money given and directed by You is invested back into Your kingdom. I shall wait for your direction and guidance.
After church, some other gifts:
1. Dinner at Ashley's house with her three kids and husband
2. Vegetable stir-fry- everything I could eat
3. Popping popcorn over the fireplace fire
4. Homemade caramel sauce to coat the popcorn
5. Peppermint tea
6. Watching a movie
7. Conversation with her boys
8. My brother staying up late to let me in the house (I forgot my key, garage is too loud)
9. Warm enough temps to keep the wet roads wet and night icy
10. My father's love and trust in me to be able to sleep when I'm not home (been a work in progress over the years)
11. His concern for my safety, enough to check the weather and keep me updated
So many blessings, so many gifts. I am truly blessed and highly favored!
Have you counted at least 3 gifts today? You'll be surprised at how your perspective and attitude changes when you focus on gratitude. Enjoy the journey! :)
Consider posting the below and blessing others. God bless!
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