Drawin' A Blank

Most who know me know I love to send notes of encouragement. It's one of my favorite things to do when I have the spare time. So when I found some new blank cards at the store yesterday, I was ecstatic. What's even better is that I got the kind with foil gleaming throughout.

The great thing about blank cards is that I get to put my original thoughts inside of them--something I want to say especially for the person I'm sending it to. Just seems more personal than the blanket statements I see on the standard "thinking of you" cards. And when they have a sparkle or a glitter on the cover, it just says "You're special," you know?

God must like blank cards too.  Because I've noticed that when I go before Him with an empty heart, He etches a personal message on it, a unique one just for me. While He is powerful and full of splendor and majesty, He is also personal. He longs to give me His special encouragement and leading for my life.  And when I receive it, my life is wrapped in His foiled light, which glimmers for everyone around me to see. It's such a beautiful way for Him to say "You're special," you know?

"When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty."

Jeremiah 15:16

Lord, write your words on my heart, those I need to hear, those I need to absorb, and those I need to put into practice. And then Lord, may I come before You with my own special and personal lyrics of praise and worship--from my heart straight to Yours.

Payin' it Forward/Friday's Fiction Feast

“Welcome to Starbucks. This is Jeremy. What can I get you?” I asked the next of a long line of cars at our drive-thru one gloomy Sunday morning.

“Hi, Jeremy, I’d love a grande caramel macchiato, please, but with three shots.”

“That’s a triple grande caramel macchiato. Please drive through.”

The Sunday morning crowd was usually friendly, but even more so today.

“The person in front of you already paid for your drink,” I announced.

She looked shocked. “What? Really?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A twenty-dollar bill was squeezed in between her fingers and flapping in the breeze outside the window.

“Well, I want to pay for the person’s behind me then.”

I looked over at the register to check the amount. “OUCH! They ordered a bunch of stuff. The total is $18.76.”

Three of the other employees froze to hear what the customer would say. We had a good bet going about how long this “payin-it-forward” thing would last, and I was worried that Keesha might actually win on this car.

“I’ll get it,” the young lady said, “Can’t think of a better way to blow a twenty!”

She seemed genuinely excited. I couldn’t believe it, but I took her money and offered the change.

“God bless your day,” she said, motioning for me to put the rest in the tip box as she drove away.

Eileen and Brian high-fived each other, as they were still in the bet, while Keesha rolled her eyes.

“So whatcha guys bettin’ on?” I heard from the in-house side of the counter. It was Seminary Sam--a regular. He was never shy about telling us the latest subject he was learning at the Seminary down the road. Thus, the nickname.

Brian said, “Oh, about five cars ago, a guy paid for the person’s drink behind them, and it’s continued ever since. Some lady just laid down a twenty-dollar bill for the guy behind her.”

“Wow! I picked the wrong day to order inside!” Sam remarked.

I yelled out to the others: “Got another one, guys!”

“What do you think all this is about?” Seminary Sam was just getting started.

Keesha chimed in with her usual skepticism. “Oh, you know these church people. They probably had some preacher tell them to do it just so that they could invite us to their church or something.”

Sam did not even flinch. “Hmmm….why don’t you ask them which church they are from as they pay?”

“Good idea.” I said, turning back to the window. “Hey, where you headed?”

The man answered, “Off to church. First Baptist.”

Keesha rolled her eyes. “Surprise. Baptist.” Her sarcasm shrilled louder than the milk she was steaming.

“Keep me posted.” Sam gave us a friendly wink and a pat on the counter before he went to his usual table.

Finally, as the last car pulled up, we realized the morning rush was over. So far we had recorded three Baptists, two from the Bible church, and two more from the Lutheran church around the corner. So much for Keesha’s theory.

The lady in the car grabbed her Chai and cranberry scone from me as I made the announcement once more: “The car in front of you paid for yours.”

She shrieked with excitement. “Oh, praise the Lord, that just makes my day! Who do I get to pay for?”

“I’m afraid you’re the last in line, Ma’am.”

She let out a belly laugh. “Well, then, I’ll just have to let you all split the bill instead then.”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am. That’s very nice of you. Where ya' headed?”

“I’m off to praise Jesus, and I’d love to have you join me sometime. Anytime!” Her face absolutely beamed.

Keesha smirked.

The lady drove off before I could even ask her which church she attended.

Sam snuck up on us. “So, what’s the verdict, people? Do we have a church conspiracy?”

“No,” I said, “none of them seemed to know each other. The last lady didn’t even mention where she went to church.”

“Well." Sam leaned his elbow on the counter. “Looks like you’ve just got a glimpse of THE church.”

“THE church?” Keesha looked remotely interested now.

“Yup, when you believe in Jesus, it’s not about which church you belong to, but about WHO you belong to.”

“Holy cow!” I pulled out a folded bill from the tip box. “That lady left us a hundred bucks to split.”

Brian commented, “Hmmm, maybe there’s something more to this church thing after all...”

Seminary Sam asked for a refill AND a moment of our time. He was just getting started.

Hunting Wabbit

Every time my family goes on a walk at dusk, our dog loves to chase the bunny rabbits in the neighborhood. And there are bunches of them.

Last night, I watched my dog Abby come to a screeching halt in the middle of a pretty good pace. Her ears perked up, the hair on her spine stood straight out, and she morphed to a hunting dog in a nanosecond. She saw a rabbit gnawing on some grass, unaware of her presence.

The extreme amount of self-control and patience that Abby showed while sneaking up to make her "kill" was nothing short of amazing. I wish I could be that graceful.

But I also noticed the rabbit, who began to sense that something was not right. It froze. It's eyes were the only thing moving, watching for any sudden movement. It's ears were perked, listening for the slightest crunching of the grass.

As crafty and skilled as Abby is at hunting, the rabbit always gets away before Abby's leash is extended to its maximum length.  Hard telling what would happen if we let her off her leash. Yikes.

The Holy Spirit in me showed me a direct parallel between this scene and 1 Peter 5:7-8.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

Be self-controlled and alert. 

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion 

looking for someone to devour. 

Resist him, standing firm in the faith...

Just as that rabbit is fully alert and prepared for anyone 'hunting wabbit,' so I should be the same in my faith walk. Not only that, but I must rely on my Lord to help me do so. As I ask Him for protection, He will most certainly provide it.  Because He cares for me. Satan is not allowed to harm me as a believer in any way without the Lord's permission. His leash is controlled by the Omnipotent Ruler of the universe.

That's why God gave me these verses. He wants me to do my part. Trust Him, exercise His fruit of self-control, stay aware of the evil and sin that looms around me, and resist it--by standing firm in my faith. 

I'm going to do that the only way I know how...by praying right now.

Lord, You have opened my eyes and ears to a message You wanted me to see and hear. Now give me the legs to walk in this Truth. I love You and want to resist the devil's schemes and traps. I trust You to help me do so. Thank You for caring for me enough to keep me safe.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Women of Passions

I'm so excited!

I'm going to be a contributing author to an awesome project!  The book pictured above should be released in July...the proceeds will go to a ministry that reaches lives all around the world--The Heart of God International.

If you would like to know more about this book or would like to order a copy when it is released, please click here:

http://womenofpassions.net/Authors/tabid/1623/Default.aspx

So many incredible writers and authors contributing to this. I can't believe they chose me to be in print beside them, but then again, God has His own way and time, doesn't He?