Bloom Where You Are Planted

In some seasons of our lives, it seems as if we are planted among the most beautiful, fragrant flowers. In some seasons, it seems as if we are planted amidst the thorns and struggling to survive. But in Scripture, it says to give thanks in (not for) all situations (see my posts in lessons learned from Nov. 8 and 15 to learn more about the transformative power of thanksgiving).

When we are struggling to bloom amidst the thorns I know it is hard to give thanks. I have been going through this season, but I know that the only way to blossom is to turn to the Lord, because there are at least sixty six verses in Scripture where God says that He will never leave me nor forsake me. By turning to Him, I receive peace and the ability and encouragement to move forward.

I pray and seek to find ways to use the gifts that God has given me to be a blessing to others. This website is one of the ways I am using my gifts. I hope that it is a blessing and encouragement to you.

No matter what season of life that we are in, there is always some way that each of us can be a blessing to others by using the gifts we have. I recently read an incredible story about a woman who most people would think had no ability to do anything for anyone, but she gave anyway. This is from Corrie ten Boom"s devotional, "Each New Day" March 18 and 19.

March 18: "Jesus said, "Occupy till I come." Do you think you have no opportunity to do this? I met a woman in Russia who had multiple sclerosis. Her feet and hands were paralyzed except for one finger. With that one finger she typed out Bible texts and inspirational books. ("Put up with your share of hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ's army" 2 Timothy 2:3 Phillips) What joy that You can use me even when I am weak."

March 19: "This paralyzed woman's husband bound her typewritten messages together into books which then went from one person to another. She did this work until the day she died. She is now with the Lord. How happy she is! And I am sure that she has heard from many there who have read her literature. "It was you who invited me here." Do not say you are not healthy or strong enough - you have more than one finger to use for God's work! ("Never lose your sense of urgency, in season or out of season. Prove, correct, and encourage, using the utmost patience in your teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 Phillips.) Lord, we claim Your strength to serve You, no matter what our circumstances are."

So, bloom where you are planted. No matter what season you find yourself in right now, there is something you can do to reflect God's love to another person. If you're not sure what you can do, ask Him and He will lead you, empower you and guide you for His purposes and you and others will be blessed. When God is involved, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. God bless you in all you do.

Being the Hands and Feet of Christ

In Christian circles, we often talk about being the hands and feet of Christ to all those we meet. In this post I would like to talk about what that means to me and what it looks like in action.

To me, it means giving of yourself - time, talents, gifts - to help others, to the best of your ability. It means reflecting the character of Christ in every circumstance, with everyone you meet, which would be Godly love, because I believe that Christ is the manifestation of that love to us. If you are not sure what that kind of love looks like, please read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 or sign up in the contact me section below, and I will send you a downloadable copy of God's love.

You may be called to reach many people, like my friends at THORN ministries who have been feeding, clothing, and praying for the homeless each week for over 25 years. You may be called to be kind to your family, your neighbor, the annoying person in line in the grocery store, or maybe to just smile a someone or say something nice to someone who looks like they need it. But whatever the call, as a Christ follower, you are to love God and love each other. Two of the exciting benefits of realizing that you (as we all) are a sinner, repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Savior, He forgives you and sends the Holy Spirit to reside within you. The Holy Spirit will then work in you and through you to draw you and others into a closer relationship with God.

Here are a few examples: When John went to Africa, he was 300 miles in the bush and responsible for the infirmary. The problem was that there were no supplies with which he could help the people. It was there that he learned that his job was to show up, and when he did, the Holy Spirit did the work that God wanted accomplished. He saw and experienced many miracles while he was in Africa. (see my Nov. 1st post on John's pages concerning his healing testimony). John carried the Holy Spirit to the people.

When I had my business in the mall, and some people encouraged me to sell the store because I sold lottery tickets, John said, "Don't sell the store. God put you in that position and you may be the only Jesus that your customers see." I did my best to embrace and reflect that in my daily walk at work. When the mall closed, nine years later, God showed me the impact that He had had on at least one of my customers through me. One of my customers told me, "Do you know why I have been coming here everyday for nine years?" When I asked why, he said, "Because you are the only person who would smile at me, or touch my hand, give me a hug, or pray for me when I needed it." Wow! I had no idea. I was just showing up to work each day and unbeknownst to me, God was doing a mighty work. Praise the Lord!

When John died, all my neighbors reached out to help set up the yard for the luncheon after the funeral and were there to help me in any capacity that I needed. They exhibited God's love for me. I also get consistent help and support from my family, friends and neighbors who are in it for the long haul to show me how much God cares. And recently, I received unexpected help from strangers. One lady saw that it was difficult for me to take the recycle bin to the street, so she stopped, turned her car around and asked if I needed any help. Of course I said, "Yes." and she came to my assistance. Each time I go to a store and something is out of reach for me, someone comes along and offers to get it for me. Each one of the people that has reached out to me has encouraged me and lifted me up during this very challenging season of my life. I thank God for and pray blessings over each and every one.

I share these events with you, to encourage you to look for even the smallest way that you can provide a kindness to another. You never know the impact it will have on the person in need. You will never know how God will touch those you help by your obedience to love.

In Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me." In 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

And finally, a quote from Saint Teresa of Avila: "Christ has no body but yours; no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which His compassion looks out upon the world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world."

Prayer is Powerful continued

As I was sharing about this subject with a friend, I remembered a song that really encouraged me to never give up in my prayer life. The song is the testimony of Helen Baylor. She had been addicted to drugs and as she sang her story, a few times she sang the line, "but I had a praying grandmother". Listening to her dramatic deliverance from drugs, I was encouraged to emulate her "praying grandmother" in my prayers for all those for whom I pray. In last week's post, the other examples were John's grandfather and John. The message is the same. Never give up praying. Don't look at the circumstances, just trust that the Lord is working on answering your prayers. Your fervent prayers in Jesus' name are powerful.

Here is the video of her testimony.

"After Helen's deliverance, her grandmother asked her to sing a song for her the next time Helen came to her church. Here it is: "If the Lord had not been on my side".

It reminded me of something my mother always said if we saw someone in dire straits. "There but for the grace of God, go I."