Don’t you just love it when the Lord seems to ask something of you that’s “right up your alley, “and to your taste buds?” I mean don’t you just love the assignments that are easy and complimentary to your emotional digestive track.

Your responses to God’s requests are:

–        Yes, absolutely.  I’ll get right on that

–        I enjoy that person, and yes, I’d be happy to surrender my time on her behalf

–        No problem.  I have time and energy to mow their yard

–        I’d love to have that person over for tea, she’s easy to talk with and a real pleasure to have around

This story is not going to be a long one, but I can still feel the sting of obedience when the Lord asked me to share something with someone that wasn’t particularly fun to be around.

From the time this couple (our new neighbor) moved into the neighborhood, they just seemed so critical and hard to get along with.  I don’t think they realized it, but that’s how they came across.

We went out of our way to be friendly!  They had asked me to do something for them in their home.  I thought I could be of help, so I agreed.  You know God is working on you to build a servants’ heart when people treat you like a servant!   That’s just a bonus statement, but it’s true.

I had completed what task they had asked me to help with, and I headed out their door for home.   The man (as I discovered later) had a dry sense of humor.   Later I came to appreciate and love them both later on in our relationship.   But the current demeanor of our relationship at that time was not warm and cozy….at least from my viewpoint.

I was bounding out of their home, and then I paused before taking my final step of exit and asked them…..”Would there be anything else you’d like?”    It was meant to be a joke…and we all chuckled. 

He responded with the comment:   “Well an apple pie would be nice.”    I laughed all the way off their porch and out to the sidewalk.

We lived next door, so I didn’t have far to travel on this excursion.  I wasn’t away 20 seconds in my travel when the Lord brought to my attention that I had a small apple pie in my freezer.  

Sometimes we wish that God would drop large road signs from heaven with clear directions on our path.

But, in a clear, gentle way God spoke to my heart.   “I’d like you to take that apple pie that I know is in your freezer and bring it to the couple next door.”    My heart was pulsating so much that you’d have almost seen my blouse moving to the beat of my capillaries.

I wish I could say that I was delighted to do that, but honesty prevailing in this story, I wasn’t at all “on board” with His current request and assignment!

However, God doesn’t ask us if we’re in agreement with His wishes, but He does want to enlist us to love others; even the ones who are difficult to love.

When I approached the front door of our home, I thought to myself.   I’ve got a “sweet decision” to make.  I know God blesses obedience, and He lovingly, but firmly, got my feet headed in the direction of the freezer.  I knew if I didn’t do it right away, I might not do the right thing, if you know what I mean.   I got the pie out and headed for the long journey next door.  A two minute travel can seem like miles when you’re not in the right frame of mind.

I wasn’t exactly what you’d call an enthusiastic traveler, but I did arrive at the assigned destination with some reluctance.   I slowly came in contact with their door bell and pressed the announcement button.   Surprisingly, they both came to the door, and the only thing that came out of my mouth was:   “Here’s the apple pie you requested!”

Both of their eyes bulged to their full capacity, and they began to laugh uncontrollably.    “What’s this he said?”   “Apple pie that you requested.”   And then I headed home, laughing all the way.

Upon my arrival, the Lord responded quietly.   “Thank you for doing that.”

From that moment on, our relationship changed.  They became our friends!!

Yes, God uses the “ordinary things of life; and creates the extraordinary from our tiny obedience.   Isn’t God wonderfully creative, even if we’re not in the right frame of mind!

This couple is dear to us……even to this day!

Your presence, in ‘your’ neighborhood, can make a significant contribution in creating a compelling environment in which your neighbors can see Christ in action.

Reflecting and expressing the love of Jesus Christ to others is just downright practical.   Living out our relationship with Him in reaching out to others demonstrates He cares about “them.”

There are numerous avenues to reach out and touch someone in ways that ‘honor them’ and show them that ‘they’re special.’   The sky is the limit.  

God has chosen to use people…to touch people for Him.    In order to be a blessing to another, we need to employ ourselves; specifically our hands, feet, ears, hearts, eyes, mouth and mind.

I’ve often thought….what can I do?  I’m only one.   Yes, one plus Almighty God.   

What character qualities or attitudes do I need to embrace in order to begin building a ‘compelling environment” that will draw others to the love of God?

#1     Leave yourself at home and get out there.   Take walks with your children or your pet.  You need to be seen for them to notice that you’re new in the area.  Hibernation can suffocate you, and can even bring on unneeded depression, mild or otherwise.

#2     Get out of your comfort zone….again it’s your house.  Yes it’s where we feel safe and secure, but it’s also where ‘nobody knows your name.’

#3     Just be a joy to see.  I’m not talking about how you dress but your facial countenance.   A smile does increase our face value!

Try to issue as many smiles to others as you can.  It’s amazing that many will smile in response to your first attempt at a facial upward curve.  

 If we walk often enough, we’ll begin to see the same people out with their kids, dogs, walkers and footballs.

Most of the friendships I’ve developed have been because I have smiled first and by that made an attempt to be friendly.

#4     Forget yourself.    My husband and I have been NEW to twenty-eight neighborhoods thus far.  And trust me on this one, people could care less that you’re new.   People enjoy responding to someone with a friendly and caring attitude.   

You may feel strange and awkward at first….but that’s because your focus is on you.  May I say tenderly….forget yourself.    If you belong to the Savior, just get out there and represent Him.  You will soon fade into the background if your focus is on just being friendly.

No, I’m not talking about dripping over people….just a gentle hello accompanied by a smile.   Watch and see what happens.

I remember a woman asking me one time:  “How can you be new and just reach out in friendliness to others?   Don’t you feel self-conscious?”    I responded yes, and that’s the problem.   I have to get over myself.    I shared with her that many times I sense God saying to me as I drive around a new environment where I know I’m about to meet strangers: “Dianne, leave yourself in the car, and go in there to represent me.   It’s not about you…..it’s about Me getting out of you.”

Once I’m out of the way in my thinking…..you can burst on the scene with freedom….and intentionality.  

Walks in our neighborhood announce our arrival and availability.   Prayer before our walks opens our eyes to potential mission spots.  We need God to open our eyes to the people-potential out there.   Oh, they are there, but often we don’t see them clear enough to see the possibilities.

Years ago we lived in a home that was located in a country-like setting.  From ‘inside my house’ (where I felt comfortable) I seldom saw another person.  Being “new again” in a new neighborhood, and now a new country, I knew I had to get myself out there and just walk.  I was getting too lonely inside.

No, I didn’t feel like it!  Those welcome wagon neighbors were not pounding on ‘my’ door, so off I’d go each day, hoping to meet someone with whom I could at least make eye contact with.  

God’s ‘Divine assignments” usually don’t arrive all packaged up with signs like:  I’m the one….I’m the stranger whom you’ll get to know and love later.”   One particular man on my new walk didn’t even come with “smile packaging.”

For weeks we would pass each other.  I’d smile and say good morning and if I recall, he would barely acknowledge my presence.    Cease looking for great facial approval ratings.   People are carrying burdens, hurts, and with a myriad of struggles, seldom offer a reciprocal smile.

One afternoon I was out in the front of our home mowing our lawn, and this man that I’d pass each day for several weeks, approached our house.   I never expected any conversation, but to my surprise he came over and said these words:    “Were you aware that you are always smiling when you walk?”   I responded with a surprised and curious look, as I wasn’t aware of any facial expression when walking.

I can’t remember how we came to the topic of God….but he was the one who brought Him into the conversation.  He asked me if I was a Christian.   You know my response without asking….yes!

“I thought so” was his response.  He then proceeded to tell me that his son was a believer, and how his son was praying for him.

We’re all “links in a chain” in reaching others for Christ and what a privilege it was to be another link this man’s  awareness of a Savior who loved him….and loved him enough to have a stranger greet this man with a ‘smile every morning when he was out for a walk. 

How we behave and respond to others is representative of the Lord.    I shared with him briefly what a pleasure and joy it is to belong to a wonderful Lord.   I lightly touched on some of God’s gracious qualities and left it at that.  I guess I couldn’t help but smile.  That was about it!   From that day on, he would smile and respond every time we saw each other.

There are many, many other people that I’ve come to know and to love and befriend in a similar manner as this man.   One conversation leads to another, and on and on it goes.

Had I always remained in my home, there are dozens of people I would have missed the joy of knowing, loving and learning from.  No wonder the Lord wants us to come out of our comfort zone….so that we can see the difference He makes just with our “smiles and hello’s” along the way.

WHO’S THAT POTENTIAL FRIEND OUT THERE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU HAVEN’T MET YET?

I have added a page to my website which is entitled “Rear View Mirror.”   If you go to the website:  storiestoencourage.com and click on Rear View Mirror, that will give you the backdrop story as to how my blog evolved.

I hope it’s a blessing and a new story will be coming soon!

Dianne

GUESS WHO IS RECEIVING MAIL?

Do you know your mailman or mail gal?   Perhaps many of you do, but there are some of you who may never have had the opportunity of ever seeing them, because you live in a condo or an apartment where your paths never cross.

Some years ago I was a care-giver for my dear Mom.  The caring routine keep me busy and focused.  It was my “joy” to have this opportunity.  But one day I was really missing my contact with others outside of our home.

In my quiet time with the Lord that day, I was sharing with Him that I missed the social and relational time with others.  I informed Him that with my care-giving responsibility there seemed to be no one else that I got to talk with or to see.   It didn’t take Him long to inform me that I had “overlooked an obvious opportunity.”

In fact the opportunity was a daily one……the lady who delivered our mail every morning.   She wouldn’t know me if I was on the street, I thought.  How in the world would I make contact with her?

God has His ways, and they aren’t complicated.  “Write her one sentence on a piece of paper and attach the note to a nice large piece of banana bread.”   By now I should recognize His promptings through the language of food; but I’m still slow in this department of spiritual intuition.

My first thought was, do you think this is appropriate?  Maybe she doesn’t like banana bread.  Will she think I’m nuts distributing food on her route?   I guess if she doesn’t like it, she can always leave it in the mailbox.  I’m aware that in these days it’s risky to trust a stranger.   There may be policies at the local post office that would prevent her from “sampling sweets out of a mailbox.” And my final thought (although this didn’t cut any ice with the Lord) was, we don’t know each other.  By now you can imagine the Lord’s comment back to me.   “She’ll know you better after you give her the banana bread.”

I followed the Lord’s suggestion.   If I hadn’t, I would have missed out on the joy and the subsequent relationship that was to follow.

All morning I was camped out by the front window waiting for my mail gal’s arrival.  She opened the box, and seemingly looked quite surprised.  It only took a moment for her hand to reach into the mailbox and remove “mail and a package….for her!”   She peeked up to notice me in the window, and a large warm smile appeared on her face from ear to ear.  We waved to each other and that was the beginning of a lovely, daily “hello relationship.”  

Often she would stop and bring packages to my door and we’d chat for a few minutes.  In future days, whenever I’d be outside working in the yard, I would try and make sure it was around the time when I know she would appear….just to say hello her way.   This turned out to be a daily social breath of fresh air for me.

Each day I looked forward to her wave, or her smile as she popped our bills and letters into our box.    This went on for almost a year.

Often through the month I’d leave banana bread or cookies in the mailbox for her.   She later told me that when she’d have a day off, that she’d let her replacement carrier know of “unexpected treats,” and that they were safe to eat. 

It was over a year later that a new mail gal came to deliver our mail.  I noticed this for a few days.  And then one day I happened to be outside delivering another piece of banana bread in the box, when along came the replacement mail gal.   She stopped to tell me that the other gal would not be delivering mail for a while.   She informed me that she was on a leave-of-absence due to the loss of her son.  Her son had taken his life.   My heart sank.

I was able to get her home address from her substitute and I wrote her a short note in a nice card.   Weeks later she reappeared on our route and she came to my door and with tears, shared about her loss.   I told her I would be praying for her and her family.

There was nothing I could “do” ….. but I could let her know I cared; and that I cared enough to write a wee note.

Have you ever written a “thank you note” to “your” mailman or mail gal?  They deliver our mail and, seldom do they receive a note or expression of appreciation from us.  You’ll be amazed at what God can do with just a note of encouragement.    There were times when I’d just write “thinking of you, and appreciating your service on our behalf.”   Please don’t be concerned that your “hello” must appear on a nice card.  Sometimes I just use a serviette/napkin or a plain piece of paper.

Her service was “important.”  Her service was “expected.”  I was certainly aware of that, but I wasn’t up-to-speed in my consideration of her or of what she might experience during the course of her day.  

Let’s agree that driving a postal van, or many times walking up and down a street to place papers and mail in everyone’s mailbox isn’t the most thrilling of occupations.   But, (and that’s a big word) it’s an “important service” to everyone.  God has designed each person in our world to help others through various means by occupations, and no job is any more important than another.  Each of us has “something to offer others,” and God is teaching me that my focus is to be on the appreciation of the services and the kindness that others bring my way.

If you or I were delivering mail, wouldn’t we find it more joyful if we were surprised now and then with a treat or word of appreciation?  If we’re to “light up” our world by the “Light of the world within us,” I suggest that we trim our wicks or turn up the wattage so that we can see more clearly those whose practical services touch our lives on a regular basis.  

If your box is large enough for a little “goodie”….try attaching a note to your packaged treat and see what happens.  

                    Your social life may gain one lovely addition.

Many times we get together with friends to enjoy each other’s company and conversation.   I’d venture to say that women are probably more attune to what another woman is wearing or notices if she’s changed her hair style than ordinarily a man would.   However, it’s the “inner beauty” of a person that makes a person really attractive.   Noticing the little details about another individual for the purpose of encouragement can certainly go a long way in building a bond with another.

If we’re honest and admit it, many times we are more concerned that our shoes match, and that we’re not wearing a color that isn’t becoming to our features.    People who are secure in who they are seem to be far more free in being able to  compliment others.  Those tags on our clothing don’t determine our identity or that we are special at all.   Because God personally and intimately designed each of us….that makes us all special to Him.   We are His masterpieces because of how in our mother’s womb, He fashioned us.

I can almost count on one hand the number of sincere compliments I’ve received from other women.   I often tease other gals when I’ve complimented them by saying:   “If another woman says you look pretty, you look pretty.”

This wee story isn’t to elevate the need of sincere compliments, but a lesson in the “observation of others.”  To value another person does, of necessity, require us to forget our self and focus on the other individual. 

One morning as I walked out to get the mail I noticed my neighbor in her front yard.  I walked across and said hello.  Normally I head right for the mailbox and straight back into the house because I usually have things I need to do, and so, I seldom chat with anyone on the street.  

But my neighbor seemed to catch my eye, and my steps seemed to pause in the middle of my return inside our home.  I had a busy schedule that morning.  You know things to do, places to go, people to see (you get the drift by now….I wasn’t in the chatty mood).    My goal was just to retrieve the mail and get back to my busy life.

What I hadn’t realized is that God “is into the details” of our life.

This neighbor (a lovely lady) customarily was dressed very casual and jeans were often the dress of the day.  This morning in my marathon to the mailbox and back I found my feet retracing their steps across the street and into her yard.   That wasn’t my plan……but spontaneity (and the sovereignty of God) moved me in that direction.

I “happened” to notice that she was in a lovely green sweater, and curiously my glance focused on her ears.  This isn’t usually my pattern of scrutiny when I meet another person, but that morning’s observation seemed odd that my glance would go from the sweater to her ears.

You’re wondering where I’m going with this….so hold on, there’s more coming.  

I usually pray for all the neighbors who live around our home on Thursdays, and I had been asking the Lord for a growing sensitivity to notice people and to know “how to reach out in practical, yet personal ways.  I enjoy building friendships, but it takes for me to come out of my personal comfort zone and “forget about myself.”  That’s the hurdle God wants all of us to succeed in crossing.

Later in the week I was out shopping (something I’m not fond of doing.  Really!!!).   I passed by a jewelry counter and noticed there were expensive pierced earrings on sale.  I don’t wear pierced earrings….so there was no need to pause by that counter. 

A pair of green earrings seemed to shout at me with a loud request “take me home.”   They also happened to be the very shade of green of my neighbor’s sweater.  You know, the one she was wearing the other day.

It wasn’t important that she was wearing a nice sweater.  What was important in reality was the fact that “someone noticed her…really noticed her.” 

This kind of observation “honors another” (1 Peter 2:17) because it shows we’re interested in them:  and that they aren’t just a “backdrop” to our day.

Well the earrings popped into my purse….after I paid for them of course, and I knew right away who their rightful owner would be.  You guessed it, my neighbor who was adorned in the emerald green sweater.

I brought them home and wrapped them in a little box.  It wasn’t long before I made my way over to her home.  It wasn’t Christmas or her birthday, but an average day.   A great day to give an “unexpected gift” to an “unsuspecting neighbor.”

Her response was incredible.  Two things I learned about her.  Number one, her favorite color was green, and secondly, her comment that followed was:   “How did you know I had pierced ears?”

Here was an “everyday encounter” in which God sensitized me to the need to “notice others”…. and it was my neighbor across the road in particular that He used.  That observation and my response to God’s leading, opened a door. 

GOD IS SO PRACTICAL…..if we just allow Him to be.    WHY?

So God can use our eyes to “look at others, relate to others and to help them by meeting a need they may have, to smile at others or just to encourage them with a “tiny surprise.”

Let’s be on the lookout for people….and not allow them to just appear as “background material” in the course of the daily steps of our walk each day.   

By the way, do you know if your “female friends” wear pierced earrings, or clip-ons?   That’s observation!

My story will take us back almost 41 years.   This is where my Divine encounters began.  God had them planned all along, but He needed to get my attention first.   So, he began with speaking in my kitchen to my heart.

My husband (Peter) and I had been married only a couple of months.   Our home was being filled with people travelling from New Zealand on a pretty regular basis who were coming to Canada for a holiday.   The culture of hospitality by New Zealanders back then was to invite people to stay in your home, and not to allow friends stay in a hotel.    

We soon learned to be alert to a New Zealand accent when we answered the phone.  If we heard the New Zealand accent on the other end of the telephone, it meant that people were either calling on their way to the airport for their flight to Canada…..or…….on their arrival at our local airport, or the Greyhound bus terminal off times without any prior notice.

I need to point out that all of those who came for a visit were known only by my husband, but soon I would get to know them well after they spent time with us in our home.     Our first home was very small (cozy might be a better word, even tiny) with one bathroom.

People that would come for a 7-l4 day stay resulted in a closeness that’s unique usually only to “family.”     Due to the number of people that would arrive, we sometimes needed to implement a “time restraint” for restroom (bathroom) privileges to accommodate those in waiting.

My encounter with God…or I should I say, His encounter with me came around l0 pm one evening at my kitchen sink.   Our visitors at the time as well as my husband had turned in for the night.  

Cookie dough and I were wrapping things up at a sink full of bowls and dishes and my hands were filled with the cookie mess.  I was having a first class “pity party”.   You see before I was married, I was involved in a number of exciting ventures.   In contrast, this evening found me alone, tired and wondering how my efforts in the kitchen would or could ever reach a world with the love of God.  

Tears began to flow and I kept sniffing away to be sure and keep them from becoming part of the cookie mixture.

I can still remember it as though it happened last night.   I was looking out my kitchen window into the darkness and this thought came into my mind:

             WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?

I knew right away that this was God speaking softly to my heart.  I remember saying through my tears, without any thought…..COOKIE DOUGH LORD….that’s what’s in my hands…that’s all I have to offer you.

Very clearly He responded, “I CAN USE COOKIE DOUGH OR WHATEVER IS IN YOUR HANDS…..IF YOU JUST GIVE IT TO ME & WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.”

Instantly I had peace.  I finished baking the cookies and went off to bed.

The next day I didn’t say anything to anyone, but I was reminded of the question at my sink.   I got to thinking that this was the same question God asked Moses when he was holding a staff in his hand to herd sheep.   God knew what was in Moses’ hand, but He wanted Moses to see what was in his hand.    God knew that all I had in mine was cookie dough.  

Later that morning God nudged me in my thoughts and said “Take half of the cookies you made to your next door neighbor!”   My response:  “But I don’t them and I should at least be familiar with them or even introduced in order to do that.”   “You will, after you take them the cookies.”   End of dialogue.  

After sorting out two dozen cookies and wrapping them in foil, I shifted one leg ahead of the other and started the long walk next door to my Canadian neighbor.   I knocked on the door (heart palpitations increasing).  

When the door opened I introduced myself as the new neighbor next door.   I thought neighbors were to reach out to the new neighbors but I found out that God doesn’t always work like that.  His ways are so radically different.

I told my neighbor I just wanted to share some cookies I had baked last night and I nervously handed over the package.   She took it, remarked with a soft-spoken thanks and closed the door. 

This went on for months.  Each week or so I’d take over cookies, muffins, half a cake…whatever I was making for my husband and I.

Each time I went over little by little, the woman became friendlier.    After a few months, she one day invited me in for coffee and in the following months we progressed to dinners, barbeques and then wall papering together.

About ten months later when my husband was out of the country, to my complete surprise, they asked me to attend some Christian outreach event that had been widely advertised.  I went.   It was a like a Canadian Billy Graham Crusade conducted by a Canadian evangelist Terry Winter.  At the end of the evening those present were asked that if they realized their need of God’s forgiveness and need for His presence in their lives to come forward.  

To my utter surprise, they both got up and headed toward the front of the arena.   After this evangelist prayed with the mass of people, they returned to where I was seated.

As we were walking out of the coliseum to the parking lot, the neighbor man asked me, “Do you want to know what it was that made us want to attend this event and to give our lives to Christ tonight?”   

“Yes” was about all I could get out.  I had been praying diligently every Thursday for them….but I just couldn’t imagine why all of a sudden they were interested in God.  My neighbor’s reply….”It was THE COOKIES.”   “You just kept loving us through desserts and we’d never experienced before someone reaching out like that to us…..strangers.”

I know without any shadow of doubt our prayers DO MAKE a difference and they open diverse opportunities for God’s purposes and plans to unfold.

I never realized that when God speaks to our heart it’s always profound.  That night at the kitchen sink, when He quietly asked me in my heart, “what’s in your hand,” I realized later that,

–         He knew what was in my hands….…cookie dough and

–         He  wanted  “me” to see that whatever was in “my” hands or

whatever I was doing, creating or working on, regardless of where I was……… He could use whatever it was to CREATE A CLIMATE for another person to be open toward Him.

God’s assignments for my husband and I have been in many and varied locations.   Little did I realize that those few thoughts from Him…just in a quiet way that night at the kitchen sink, would change my attitude and give me a real compass for MY LIFE’S MISSION. 

I can’t reach everyone, but I can go to the  “next doors”  in whatever neighborhood God places us,  or touch those He brings in front of me…whether it’s a kitchen, an office…a board room,  or a hospital.  God is so practical!

I’m learning in the “every day of life” ….. as Carl Buechner once said:“PEOPLE MAY FORGET WHAT YOU TEACH, BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.