17The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. Zeph 3:17

Monday, February 11, 2013

God CAN Use Me!

My appologies ahead.... The word I is used in the message many times. But, please hear my heart. It points to Him...

I am SO excited! I never cease to be amazed at what a Mighty God we serve!

I so yearn to be of service to Him!

A few months back, I felt the Lord confirm to me that He would indeed use the least of these (lil' ole me). I felt He was impressing on me that, although I am in a season of life which requires me to be almost constantly devoted to family matters, He would show me a way to serve from home.

Very shortly after our "conversation," I was asked by our pastor to be the "Prayer Ministry Coordinator." How exciting! I am able to be involved in a ministry I believe is vital. I am so humbled and awestruck that the Lord would find me useful to His Kingdom in this way.

I love to pray for others and I LOVE to hear when prayer is answered. And what better way for a homeschooling mother of 4 under 9 to be involved than to begin interceding for the needs of others in the deep quiet of sleepless nights or in the middle of the day when I'm up to my elbows in dishsoap or over a load of laundry that needs folding? I AM USEFUL!

And THEN...

I recently (through a very convaluted set of circumstances) came in contact with a gentleman from a ministry called "Deliver the Difference." They are an AMAZING group who package food for the hungry. There programs are so very far reaching it would be difficult to list them all here.

Just a few examples:
  • They have food packing events, where they assemble food in packages that contain 6 servings of nutritionally complete meals. In other words, one package gives 6 people the nutrition required for an entire day! These meals are provided for those locally with need as well as in countries all over the world.
  • Further, they coordinate with local restaurants and food stores to freeze leftover food and distribute it to local homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
  • They also provide weekend meals to the 3,500+ homeless children in the Central Florida area. These kids wouldn't normally eat from Friday lunch until Monday, except that this group packs backpacks of 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners and 2 drinks for each child to take home with them on Friday! Absolutely ASTOUNDING!

After 2 failed attempts to get there and physically help out, I explained to the man in charge that I so desparately want to be involved, but am finding it most difficult due to family circumstances. I further explained that I would love to pray for them.

Well... can I just tell you! He was so excited to tell me that just last night he and some other men were on a conference call regarding a new international program they are launching. While on the call, they began discussing that what they truly need is to pray for pray-ers! They prayed the Lord would raise up prayer warriors to pray over every aspect of their programs, the food distribution networks, the people with boots on the ground in some very dangerous places getting the food to the needy, and so forth!

I AM USEFUL!

Isn't He AWEsome?! Isn't He wonderful! Oh, I love Him so!



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Love Does Not Look Away

Life lessons often come to us in the strangest of places or the strangest of ways.

I recall several years ago, I was standing at the kitchen sink up to my elbows in bubbles, when I noticed a bee trapped between the window and the curtain. After several minutes of struggle, it fell to the sill unable to fly any longer.  I remember thinking I should take it outside, hoping it would fly away and recover from its injury. But, the Lord impressed upon me, “No, I need for you to watch.”

I tried to avert my attention from the battle-weary bee back to the task at hand, but He said again, “I need for you to watch.” So I watched as he struggled.

After several minutes, I was again overwhelmed with the feeling that I should DO something. “Perhaps I should put the poor thing out of its misery?” I suggested. “No, I need for you to watch.” Again, I watched.

Over time, his movements began to slow. His intermittent times of struggle became shorter and the times of no movement became longer. My heart was breaking for this poor being on my window sill. I so desperately wanted his pain to stop and yet, I felt a higher authority staying my hand. And so, I watched, unsure why a loving God would require what I felt was an unloving response to the spectacle unfolding before me.

I felt horrified watching his final moments. I felt as though I were watching a sacred and personal moment when created prepared to meet his Creator. I felt as though I were intruding, as though I should have either some action to avoid the certain conclusion or given the bug his privacy. And yet, I was told no.

When it was finally over and the remains of the bee lay lifeless before me, I asked again, “Why, Lord? Why would you have me only watch such suffering and not DO something?!” And then came the gentlest of answers, “Because love does not look away from suffering.”

I heard very clearly and yet I did not understand.

A year or so following, a dear and sweet loving friend prepared to meet her Creator. She was delivered into His presence following her second battle with cancer.

During her battle, I had the privilege of spending a few nights by her bedside. I did not know the depth of her struggle, she hid it well. But through that time I was reminded that love does not look away.

When one shares the love of Christ with people, one must at time look suffering in the eye. In order to be the hands of our Savior in a sin sick and dying world, one must not recoil or run. One cannot comfort the hurting unless one is close.

Take and hold someone’s hand in the depth of their most frightening moments. This is what Christ the Lord does for us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He promises us in His Word to be there in our darkest hour.

May we be His love to others even in the hard times.