His Timing

Only hours after reading a blog written by a missionary in Japan, I met a lady from Kobe, Japan! In all the years I've lived in this area (46), I can't recall ever having met anyone from Japan. My mind was freshly filled with all things Japanese, and an easy conversation began to flow between us. Though she has only been in the U.S. for five years, her English was very good, and we parted with promises to get together again. Throughout God's Word, I see His Hand working to have people right where He wants them right when He wants them to be there. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Be There

Two people talking. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone, occasionally texting. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone, occasionally texting, occasionally tweeting. Are they listening? Listening requires great skill and patience. It is rarely done well even in a quiet room with no interruptions, yet it is something we all long for and desire. Being heard, being understood. Lord, help us to love each other with lavish listening.

Motivating Growth

By the end of summer, our lawn lacks luster. The long dry days, the multitude of moles, the frequent fights with fungus result in a less than appealing appearance. Nevertheless, as fall arrives my husband aerates, overseeds and fertilizes. He puts out mole traps and slug bait. He waters, transplants, and works! Not much happens...at first. Around December, he usually comments, "I think I'm going to give up on this lawn. It looks terrible, and I can't get rid of these moles!" But, then there's spring! Beauty, the fruit of his labor, blossoms at last. And, suddenly he is ready to get back to the business of making a masterpiece out of his mole hills. So often, in my efforts to share my faith with others, I don't see any fruit, and I am tempted to give up. Then the Lord will send the beauty of those first signs of growth in someone I've been praying for, and suddenly I'm ready to get back to the business of making His Name known among the nations! "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1)

Frequent Failures

Can I confess to you that I fail quite frequently at living like Jesus? I was watching my one-year-old daughter trying to walk and run in a new pair of shoes. She was falling repeatedly, yet each time she would quickly jump up and continue on with the same zeal that she had had before she fell. My own failures often lead me to discouragement and despair. Lord, when I fall help me to get up and get going for Your glory! "Do not gloat over me my enemy. Though I have fallen, I will rise; though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light." (Micah 7:8)

Sharing Faith

He sat on a barstool behind the counter reading a book. "What are you reading?" I asked. He proceeded to tell me it was a novel a neighbor had loaned him and that it was "hard to get into." I responded by remarking that I liked Christian books. "Do you know anything about Christianity?" I asked. He did. He grew up going to a Pentecostal church. A door opened, and I shared my testimony. I sensed God had His hand on this young man's life, and it took me back to the days that the Lord gave me eyes to see more and more of my Master through the lives of ordinary people who were willing to tell me the Truth. He uses each of us to be His messengers to clerks behind counters and strangers on the street. I gave him a copy of "Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die," and I've been praying for him ever since. Will you join me? "I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." (Philemon 6)

Good Idea

Two rows of parking. One long line of cars. The guy in front of us pulled out of the line to look for a space in the second row. Good idea. We followed and found a spot in seconds. As we were struggling with the stroller and digging out the diaper bag, an SUV stopped alongside us. "You know, we were all waiting in one line to get parking," exclaimed the lady inside. "We didn't know," my husband calmly remarked. "Do you want this space?" I asked. "Yes!" came the quick reply. We packed up and pulled out. "That was a good idea," my husband said to me just after calling out "God bless you" to the woman. Fifteen years ago it would have been a different day. Where did what I said come from? Grace. Where did what my husband said come from? Grace. Where did what that lady received come from? Grace. It's a good idea every time. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

Selfless Serving

Mulling over the ministry reports of the missionaries our church supports helps me to put my life in perspective. As they log their life for accountability, they relay information about their day, and it is evident that these servants stay busy. But it's not the busy we often know best , busy running here and there: shopping, exercising, playing. It's busy self-giving: prayer, teaching, discipling, relationship-building with those who don't know Jesus. So often when someone in America says, "Maybe I should be a missionary," the return comment is "Why, you can be a missionary right where you are." Yes, we can be; but Lord, help us to see we have a long way to go. "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)