In the storybooks, there are always happy endings. Do you remember hearing a story as a child and feeling that all was right in the world from getting caught up in the feel good moment of the fairytale? As adults, those moments are few and far between it seems. Even watching the news can be a downer in these times. Economic hardships, war, and violence are being reported at each newscast every night. There actually are stories of good out there. There are stories of answered prayers and miracles happening each day. When I hear them, I slip back into that child like state of, even just for a second, feeling all is right in the world.
Here is a story that did it for me recently. I hope it puts a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. The prayer of a coach, the dream of a special needs child, and the God of the universe reaching down for a moment to remind us He cares, He hears, and He answers.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Purpose For Your Life
“We also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11
I remember as a child hearing people talking about getting a “calling.” Mainly, I remember it in regards to someone talking about how they became a Pastor. “When I got the call…” they would say. As a child, I remember wondering if the phone rang in their moment of getting “the call.” I didn’t really get it. To be honest, it would be much later in my life that I would truly understand what that really meant.
As I got older, I gained a new understanding to what it meant. My take on it was that it meant you figured out what you were to do with your career. At one time I was set on becoming an audiologist. I felt I was getting a calling to test hearing and to work with ears. I was getting closer.
Years later, I now sit and reflect on what a calling really is and feel like I finally have a grip on what it means. Henry Blackaby writes, “God initiates our calling and reveals it to us through His Holy Spirit. His Spirit then guides and empowers as we serve God not only in our vocation but also by participating in His kingdom work. God has a purpose for your life, and it involves far more than earning a living.”
In my mid twenties, my relationship with Christ changed. It blossomed and took on a deep and meaningful level I can’t describe. In the beginning of this season, I started to hear the phone ring. One day I picked it up. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to minister to orphans in a country I knew nothing about. As I sat on the plane departing the US, I wondered if I should have let my machine pick up the call.
Today, I’m thankful I answered it. My calling is to serve (specifically to “the least of these” talked about in Matthew 25). How do I know? Because it is there that I find Him. It is there that I see Him. It is there that I know I am right where I am supposed to be and in His kingdom work. What about you? Have you answered the phone yet? God DOES have a purpose for your life far greater than earning a living. What is it? Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will open. Take a deep breath, and answer the phone.
I remember as a child hearing people talking about getting a “calling.” Mainly, I remember it in regards to someone talking about how they became a Pastor. “When I got the call…” they would say. As a child, I remember wondering if the phone rang in their moment of getting “the call.” I didn’t really get it. To be honest, it would be much later in my life that I would truly understand what that really meant.
As I got older, I gained a new understanding to what it meant. My take on it was that it meant you figured out what you were to do with your career. At one time I was set on becoming an audiologist. I felt I was getting a calling to test hearing and to work with ears. I was getting closer.
Years later, I now sit and reflect on what a calling really is and feel like I finally have a grip on what it means. Henry Blackaby writes, “God initiates our calling and reveals it to us through His Holy Spirit. His Spirit then guides and empowers as we serve God not only in our vocation but also by participating in His kingdom work. God has a purpose for your life, and it involves far more than earning a living.”
In my mid twenties, my relationship with Christ changed. It blossomed and took on a deep and meaningful level I can’t describe. In the beginning of this season, I started to hear the phone ring. One day I picked it up. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to minister to orphans in a country I knew nothing about. As I sat on the plane departing the US, I wondered if I should have let my machine pick up the call.
Today, I’m thankful I answered it. My calling is to serve (specifically to “the least of these” talked about in Matthew 25). How do I know? Because it is there that I find Him. It is there that I see Him. It is there that I know I am right where I am supposed to be and in His kingdom work. What about you? Have you answered the phone yet? God DOES have a purpose for your life far greater than earning a living. What is it? Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will open. Take a deep breath, and answer the phone.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Random Questions From My Quirky Mind
Am I weird because I got excited and already bought a pumpkin bowl and a bunch of candy for the trick or treater’s this year?
Is there a more beautiful place in the fall besides IL?
Why is a campfire so hypnotizing?
Are runners chasing after more than the finish line in life? And are climbers trying to reach something more than the top of the mountain??
Why do cell phone companies have to be so frustrating?
Why does The Cheesecake Factory cheesecake make me smile with just the thought of it?
Is there such a thing as healthy food that tastes terrific?
Does it make me “mature” that my neighbors painted the trim on their house and the entire garage door bright PINK and I: 1. Resisted the urge to run to the other neighbors and gossip about it. 2. Still smile and wave to them even though the pink color strikes a nerve in me each day.
It is bad that one of the reasons I am excited for fall is that I can wear cute heeled boots again?
Will my husband remember that he said he won’t ever say I am not adventurous since I crawled through a bunch of dark caves with him that had big spiders and no room to stand up?!
Will I ever be able to run competitively again?
Will this new season of fall be the best season in life yet?
Is there a comfortable dress shoe with heels that won’t hurt my foot after wearing it for 12 hours?
How will I see God at work this season and how will I allow Him to work through me?
Feel free to provide answers to any of the above.
Is there a more beautiful place in the fall besides IL?
Why is a campfire so hypnotizing?
Are runners chasing after more than the finish line in life? And are climbers trying to reach something more than the top of the mountain??
Why do cell phone companies have to be so frustrating?
Why does The Cheesecake Factory cheesecake make me smile with just the thought of it?
Is there such a thing as healthy food that tastes terrific?
Does it make me “mature” that my neighbors painted the trim on their house and the entire garage door bright PINK and I: 1. Resisted the urge to run to the other neighbors and gossip about it. 2. Still smile and wave to them even though the pink color strikes a nerve in me each day.
It is bad that one of the reasons I am excited for fall is that I can wear cute heeled boots again?
Will my husband remember that he said he won’t ever say I am not adventurous since I crawled through a bunch of dark caves with him that had big spiders and no room to stand up?!
Will I ever be able to run competitively again?
Will this new season of fall be the best season in life yet?
Is there a comfortable dress shoe with heels that won’t hurt my foot after wearing it for 12 hours?
How will I see God at work this season and how will I allow Him to work through me?
Feel free to provide answers to any of the above.
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Door
As I take a step up, I have to take a deep breath. I gently raise my hand in the shape of a loose fist and thrust it over my head and forward. I realize I have been in this very spot before. The same hand is raised, the same lungs taking in air to calm my pulse rate down, the same fears running through my mind, and the same anxiety of not knowing what will be the result of the knock on the door. As my hand hits the door in my mind, I can almost hear it audibly. *Knock… Knock….Knock*
Will He answer the door? He promises to do so. How long will I have to knock? Will He crack the door open just a bit to tell me to come back later? If so, what should I do in the meantime? Am I at the wrong door? How about a note slipped under the door with directions on where to find the right door with Him behind it? I’m just not sure. And so…I keep knocking. *Knock…Knock*
To the right or to the left? Move quickly ahead or Be Still? Who knows? As I stand before a heavy door that I’m not sure I could even push open if I did hear “Come on in” from the other side, I wait. Knowing in my heart there is a purpose and growth in the wait before the door opens, I still have a feeling of confusion. Hanging on to the promise, I will persist. *Knock*
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT “ Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Will He answer the door? He promises to do so. How long will I have to knock? Will He crack the door open just a bit to tell me to come back later? If so, what should I do in the meantime? Am I at the wrong door? How about a note slipped under the door with directions on where to find the right door with Him behind it? I’m just not sure. And so…I keep knocking. *Knock…Knock*
To the right or to the left? Move quickly ahead or Be Still? Who knows? As I stand before a heavy door that I’m not sure I could even push open if I did hear “Come on in” from the other side, I wait. Knowing in my heart there is a purpose and growth in the wait before the door opens, I still have a feeling of confusion. Hanging on to the promise, I will persist. *Knock*
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT “ Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Climb
My husband and I went for a bike ride recently. We rode 10 miles, Phil hardly broke a sweat. He is way stronger than I am on a bike. About 4 miles into the ride we came to a decision making point. Turn around and go home, was option one. Go to the right and have to climb a very large hill, was option number two. Or we could do option number three and ride in a residential area. I chose option number three.
Although option number three didn’t have that huge hill, I wasn’t aware that it did have some (not exactly small) hills. I suddenly became aware as I looked and couldn’t see over the hump in the road far ahead. I needed to get moving. Phil rode right beside me and encouraged me. I was struggling to get the words out of my mouth, “I….don’t….think…I…can make…it..to…the top.” He reassured me I could.
I was struggling. Phil told me to try to stand and pedal…my legs wouldn’t let me up. I was worn out. I wasn’t sure how to respond to the person driving up the hill in their car who yelled out the window “Good Job!” As I was CREEPING up the hill and noticeably wobbly at this point, I wasn’t sure the passerby was making fun of me or trying to encourage me. A walker would have been going faster up that hill than I was climbing. So..I laughed…which didn’t help as I was trying to get up the hill.
All the sudden I felt a hand on my back and a gentle push in those last few feet that I didn’t think I was going to make. As I looked to my left, I saw my husband riding one handed while helping me along. I didn’t ask for the help. He knows I never would have, I am way too stubborn. It bruised my pride to be pushed but was greatly appreciated at the same time. And so…I let him help me up those last few feet to the top.
What about you? Are you struggling up a hill? Are you barely able to stand up to push? We all have been there in life. Maybe it isn’t about a bike ride. Maybe it is something in life that you are struggling with that is even bigger, and you feel like you are climbing a mountain instead of a hill. Know that the Lord is there to take one hand off His handle bars and to help you up. He is riding right beside you. He is watching you, cheering you on, and even ready to give you a gentle push to the top if you will receive it. And remember, once you get to the top, it’s all downhill from there.
Although option number three didn’t have that huge hill, I wasn’t aware that it did have some (not exactly small) hills. I suddenly became aware as I looked and couldn’t see over the hump in the road far ahead. I needed to get moving. Phil rode right beside me and encouraged me. I was struggling to get the words out of my mouth, “I….don’t….think…I…can make…it..to…the top.” He reassured me I could.
I was struggling. Phil told me to try to stand and pedal…my legs wouldn’t let me up. I was worn out. I wasn’t sure how to respond to the person driving up the hill in their car who yelled out the window “Good Job!” As I was CREEPING up the hill and noticeably wobbly at this point, I wasn’t sure the passerby was making fun of me or trying to encourage me. A walker would have been going faster up that hill than I was climbing. So..I laughed…which didn’t help as I was trying to get up the hill.
All the sudden I felt a hand on my back and a gentle push in those last few feet that I didn’t think I was going to make. As I looked to my left, I saw my husband riding one handed while helping me along. I didn’t ask for the help. He knows I never would have, I am way too stubborn. It bruised my pride to be pushed but was greatly appreciated at the same time. And so…I let him help me up those last few feet to the top.
What about you? Are you struggling up a hill? Are you barely able to stand up to push? We all have been there in life. Maybe it isn’t about a bike ride. Maybe it is something in life that you are struggling with that is even bigger, and you feel like you are climbing a mountain instead of a hill. Know that the Lord is there to take one hand off His handle bars and to help you up. He is riding right beside you. He is watching you, cheering you on, and even ready to give you a gentle push to the top if you will receive it. And remember, once you get to the top, it’s all downhill from there.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Orphan Sunday
Grab your calendars, blackberries, and notepads. Orphan Sunday is November 8th, 2009. Get your church involved! Click this link to learn more.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Prayers for Blessed
Please pray for this little one in Kenya. Her name is “Blessed” and she is the daughter of a Pastor in Kitale, Kenya. She has a heart condition and needs medical attention and a miracle. She is pictured here with her father. Financial provision and physical healing to her body are greatly needed.
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