You may be the only one... (part 2)

“I want you to walk over to a tree over there. Then pick a leaf and touch it." When asked which one she should pick, he told her it didn't matter, because "No matter what leaf you choose, you will probably be the only person to ever touch that leaf." 

I simply love to stop and look at trees, but I can’t stop there. I have to touch them, too. Words fail me to describe the joy and refreshment I experience when I touch pine needles (the bluer, the better!) and trace leaf designs.

Yet, I can’t tell you know how many trees I’ve stopped and touched, or which trees I’ve touched in places I’ve frequented. There’s no way I could even begin to figure out which leaves I’ve touched!

I can say that I’ve touched leaves, observed trees and enjoyed the detail God’s put into those trees. I don’t need to know which ones I’ve touched.

So it is with people. I can’t say who or when or where I’ve made a difference… I don’t need to. It’s not my business. It’s not a contest or a checklist to cross off on my way to heaven. Instead, I’d do well to simply trust that God’s so incredibly ABLE to use my life – no matter the circumstances – to bring glory to Him and to “touch a life”. He’ll use me to encourage, enlighten, or edify as He sees fit. He’s so much bigger and wiser than I am – I cannot do anything worthwhile outside of Jesus’ help through His Spirit and His resurrection power! I’d best simply continue to trust Him and not worry if I’m doing enough. He’ll let me know if I’m not.

Abba God, how gracious and kind You are to bless my soul and remind me of You infinite ability to touch lives through me. I’m nothing on my own, and You’re everything good. I want to please You and bring You glory; I’m so thankful that You’ll accomplish this through me! Give me eyes to see truth and courage to stand firm as You use me to reconcile others to You, one little minute at time – just like You use one little leaf on one small tree to change the air I breathe. In Jesus’ name…  

You may be the only one... (part 1)

Recently a Children’s Sunday School teacher shared a precious moment her grandpa gave her as a child. 

“I want you to walk over to a tree over there. Then pick a leaf and touch it." When asked which one she should pick, he told her it didn't matter, because "No matter what leaf you choose, you will probably be the only person to ever touch that leaf." 

As I reflect on the countless times I’ve stopped and enjoyed trees, often reaching out to touch the needles or leaves, I honestly don't think I've ever considered the countless leaves no human will ever touch... How many leaves have I touched? Hmmm... How many leaves are on the tree I'm looking at right now? How long would it take one person to touch every leaf on that tree? (There. Now you've had just a glimpse into my brain. lol!)

I love observing the different shapes of trees, leaves, and how they move in the breeze. They are breath-taking reminders of my Abba God who loves me so much. 

Truly, The Lord God is so full of wisdom and grace! I'm humbled when I consider how He made trees to provide for our needs (oxygen, shelter, firewood, pollutant-remover, etc.) and made sure they'd grow again after The Great Flood - in vastly different geographical regions all over the world. He made them plentiful, beautiful, and full of variety. Wow... 

What other blessings has Abba God put into the details of my existence that I’ve missed? 

Abba God, thank You for the details You’ve taken care of in my life – many of which I’m sure I’ve still not noticed. Your perfect love and attention to detail is mind-boggling and brings awe into my heart for You incredible power and wisdom. You are powerful enough to overturn thrones and create this world, yet your giant fingers were full of great care when You knit me together in my mother’s womb. This piece of the world that I see is such a tiny part of the planet, and You’ve provided just want I need to be able to do all that You’ve called me to do while alive. I ask for eyes to see more of Your perfect love in the details of my life, so that I might praise You more each day. In Jesus’ name… 

I find hope... in ordinary lives

I find hope when I consider

all the ordinary lives woven by grace into God’s Story.

• A carpenter named Joseph, and Mary, a common young girl (probably only 12).
• John Mark. Barnabas. Philemon & Onesimus.
• Many of the disciples were common fishermen. They weren’t stellar in Hebraic religious schools, so it they were sent home to learn their father’s occupation. Rabbis didn’t see anything special in them. They didn’t make the cut. They missed their one chance…Then Jesus spoke into their lives and everything changed.
• Abraham was just another man from a big city. 
• The widow who didn’t have another penny to spare, but gave it to her El Shaddai anyway.

Common people, living common lives, make perfect conduits for Jehovah's strong, merciful arm. 

Truly, it was common people scattered throughout the world who changed culture simply by following Jesus’ commands to love God and people. They prayed, listened to Scripture, and learned to live lives that were above reproach, honoring others above themselves. They had phobias, struggles, insecurities, relational problems, felt alone, and wondered when Jesus would return.

God chose them and they responded to His call. Same's true for you and me.

So, what makes me think I’m so special, so unique, so beyond His ability? I don’t give Jehovah enough credit. I don’t use my imagination to try to grasp His capabilities. He’s beyond everything I could think or imagine. Didn’t He create this world for me because He wants relationship with me? Won’t He create the next one to spend eternity with me, because He longs to be face-to-face with me? Didn’t He promise to finish what He began? Why do I think that His work in me would be any different than all those written about in Scripture?

God is the one who makes Extraordinary happen. He chooses people much like the ones you see every day. Even the woman in the mirror. Even me. 

Abba God, I stand amazed. Truly, there is no one other than You. Your arm reaches further, your love is deeper, and your ability is so much more than I imagine or give You credit for. Thank You for patiently teaching me and for continuing the work You started in me. Train me to focus on You and to fully grasp how extraordinary You are. May others see Jesus through me as I go about my common day. Let me remember that You are way beyond ordinary - You are my hope! In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope... in David's story (part 1)

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on

The beginning of David’s journey.

His childhood wasn’t that glamorous. He was a dirty, stinky shepherd boy who did the dirty jobs which his big brothers weren’t around to do.

Sure, there were highlights. He had the great honor of killing Goliath, and was then whisked into the royal household to soothe King Saul with music – only to be threatened multiple times until he finally had to run away into obscurity.

David had a rough life. Years spent on the run, wars, and family troubles. This was not a life of peace and tranquility.

Yet, he was the only human in the Bible labeled as “a man after God’s own heart.” (Acts 13:22)

How encouraging! God noticed a little stinky shepherd boy named David, because he sought God and yearned to please Him. 

Abba God, when I remember that You chose David while he was just a boy (before he did anything noteworthy). You saw that He loved You and wanted to obey You… how encouraging! You chose me before the world was created for my benefit. You planned good works for me to do. You love me as You loved David. You hear me through the tough times. May I seek to please You as David did. May others see me and say, “Wow. She really loves her Jesus!” In Jesus’ name…

Quote - Oswald Chambers - Glorify God in every day

"We have a tendency 

to look for wonder in our experience, 

and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. 

It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, 

yet quite another to go through every day

glorifying God when there is 

no witness, 

no limelight, and 

no one paying 

even the remotest attention to us." 

Oswald Chambers 

My Utmost For His Highest

Today matters. Make it count.

You matter…Your daily life matters.

Whatever the circumstances:

·         Status? single, married, divorced, widowed, orphaned, with family or alone.

·         Employment? employed, retired, fired, layoff...

·         Whatever hindrance you’ve been allowing to hold you back...  

The King of the universe, unseen and seen, created you, chose you, and loves you. Nothing (unless you allow it to) can hold you from the purposes, the good works that God’s created for you to do.

So then, let’s make today count. Your attitude matters.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. -- Colossians 3:15-17 (link shows vs 12-17)

Choose this day, whom you will serve.

Make today count. Make your Papa proud, and when you fail, thank Him that you can still come to Him with confidence and assurance of forgiveness. Let’s leave behind our troubles and be those Warrior Princesses that we’re made to be!

Father, thank you for all you do for me, for making me holy and be-loved. I choose to rest in you, knowing you are making me more like Christ Jesus. You are the one who makes me able to be kind, humble, gentle, patient, loving… I want to be pleasing to you, full of thankfulness, and doing my best in every moment. I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you especially for my daily life, in which I learn more about you, and who you’ve made me to be. I love you, Papa! Be glorified in me. In Jesus’ name…