“A man’s steps are of the Lord:

  How then can a man understand his own way.  Proverbs 20:24

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”  Proverbs 5:21

Are you ready for a read and a “cuppa tea” or “coffee?”  Today is the day I wanted to let you in on a surprise I had a few weeks ago.  Now, like you, there are some surprises I enjoy.   But this one took my breath away.

I’ll preface this with my husband’s thoughts about doctors and dentists.  He prefers a dentist over a doctor.  When I inquired as to why, he simply stated that: “A dentist must stay in your mouth, whereas a doctor can go anywhere.” I appreciate both careers and their helpful focus on a patient’s health.

My husband was going to the Mayo Clinic for a thorough exam on his body.  The results were a few biopsies, and then later was told about a basal cell carcinoma on his head which needed surgery.   All that has now been accomplished, with cancer cells removed, and a long two months or more of healing.

At the time of his appointment (which I called in), it passed through my mind that maybe I should just make an appointment with a thorough dermatologist locally.   My physician suggested a doctor, and I made an appointment. 

Honesty prevailing, I felt I had no need for this, but felt it might be a cautious idea worth pursuing.

A week later I was sitting in this examining room and my ears perked up when I heard the physician say, “I don’t like this spot.”   The next thing I knew, he proceeded my direction with his needle in hand.  Within a few moments, I felt nothing, but watched him carefully lean over my leg like he was dissecting a frog.

“All done now.  We’ll send to the lab and be in touch.”  Within just a few days, the office phoned and poured out a new word to add to my personal vocabulary.   Their message was brief, “You have a melanoma on your leg and the doctor wants to see you in a day or two to discuss a little surgery.”

I hung up the phone in shock.  It was just a little spot I thought, nothing to be concerned about.  Immediately I had a thorough conversation with Jesus about this.

This blog won’t be long, but I wanted to let you in on this surprise and WHAT GOD DID.

A week later he removed a portion of my leg and told me to stay off my feet for almost two weeks.  With my personality, I asked, “Does that mean no housework?”   His response was, “Absolutely not.”  So, I jumped into gear and requested that he write a prescription for “no housework” so I could present that to my husband.   We both laughed and then I was released for “rest.”

A few days later he reported that the lab result was good; all the cancer was removed, and then some.

After both our surgeries, my husband and I began to reminisce about our two adventures, and our good news.

A number of people wondered why we were moving to Arizona.  All we could tell them was that through God’s Word and His ways and job circumstances, we felt strongly this was His will.

Perhaps you’ve had similar circumstances where you just knew what God was moving you to do, and others questioned you about your “step of faith, or better yet, “step of obedience.”

As we thought about it, two dermatologists (one in Canada and the other in Australia) never caught my husband’s spot on his head through their examination with that delicate light they use.   And two of my doctors never noticed or commented about the spot on my leg.

It was after all this was over, that it dawned on us……………. GOD KNEW and even though this was a SURPRISE to us, it wasn’t to God.   If we hadn’t moved to Arizona and had the orchestration of our steps to these specialized physicians, we would never have known about the cancer.  I don’t think I even need to add more to this paragraph of information.

Many times, we have no idea of God’s plans and purposes, so we just go day-by-day.  And that’s what we should do and trust HIS PROVIDENCE and SOVEREIGNTY.

So, we’ve ceased asking God to show us why we’re here in Arizona.  We already have one BIG idea.  ISN’T GOD GOOD…and thorough!

Its been awhile since I’ve posted anything….and there are reasons for that. But at the moment, I’m going to introduce a new method of blogging. I still am not fond of that word, but you know what I mean. lol

I thought that from now on, I’d just write as though you were sitting on the other end of this screen in front of me. Perhaps pretending we’re having tea together. Sound good to you?

Let me begin with a “verbal event” that took place a few weeks ago. It was a “difficult” conversation, to say the least. I was experiencing a “physical difficulty” that came as quite a shock to my equilibrium. This conversation came on quite suddenly by someone who was attempting to give me “unsolicited advice.” We’ve all had that happen, haven’t we? But I confess that I was not in a calm place emotionally to digest everything they poured out.

This individual, I know, didn’t mean bad by it, and they had the utmost of good intentions. But it took me a few days to get over it and past it. Can anyone relate to this?

Yes, I brought it to Jesus for His help in maneuvering through this. The best thing I did was to “NOT COMMENT.” I can only thank the Holy Spirit for “closing my lips….” which prevented any unkind or unnecessary words in response.

A few days ago, in my “marinating time” with God, I asked Him about what I could learn from this unwelcomed encounter. I had no idea, at the time, that God would add a volume of advice for me. But He did.

So this blog will bring you into my “character class” on WORDS. I’ll just share the “Divine Advice” He placed on my heart. Yes, it felt like a “DEFINING MOMENT” with my Savior….and I needed that.

God was fully aware of what was coming my way and He permitted it. So, I figured there was something for me to learn about what took place. Isn’t it wonderful that we can take anything that comes our way to our Great and understanding Father.

Here goes………..let me have your feedback, if you wish, to see how this maneuvers around your heart.

ISAIAH 64:4 “For since the world began, no eye has seen or ear has heard of a God like You WHO WORKS ON BEHALF OF WHOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM.”

EPHESIANS 4:29 “Let no UNWHOLESOME/CORRUPT (rotten or decaying) WORD PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, but what is GOOD for ‘necessary edification,” that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Compass thot:

A POSITIVE FILTER FOR MY LIPS:   

 Is what I’m about to say:  TRUE…. KIND……or NECESSARY???

Lord Jesus, help me to apply the brake to my thoughts and mouth before stepping on the accelerator of my lips.

Compass thot: 

Our WORDS are either a “construction zone” or “demolition site.”

Our WORDS either “nourish” or “destroy” as they exit our lips.

Our WORDS can be “deadly.”

JAMES 1:19 “Everyone should be QUICK to LISTEN and SLOW to SPEAK, and SLOW to ANGER.”

PROVERBS 6:19 “A false witness that speaks lies, and he/she that sows (dropping information at will without discernment, wisdom or kindness) DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN.

Compass thot:  Sowing discord is the result of a heart that HARBORS POISON.

Compass thot:  Better to come away from a conversation wishing I had said MORE than wishing I had said LESS.

PROVERBS 13:2 “A man/woman shall eat well by the FRUIT of his/her MOUTH.”

Compass thot:

Sooner or later, if I don’t put the brakes on my opinions or words, I will suffer inwardly from what I’ve said.

Compass thot:

If I don’t deal with the attitude of my heart, the POISON will remain there and move to my mind, lips & stomach…reaping what I’ve sown.

My/our inner attitude of heart (what I/we think about, rehearse or dwell on) can and will POISON me/us first…. for what isn’t corrected in my heart, it will eventually EXIT MY LIPS.

POISON SPREADS LIKE A CANCER:  if not dealt with & repented of………………….

Poison infects:  us within if not realized.  Then spreads and infects every part of us (our spirit and approach to others).

Poison unattended to:  keeps me/us from intimacy/closeness with our Lord

Poison unattended to:  keeps me/us from experiencing answers to prayer

Poison unattended to:  keeps me/us from experiencing God’s favor in our life

Poison affects not only my heart, but usually travels right over my/our tongue and exits my lips…… (affecting & infecting people and the environment we’re in).

Poison so easily leaves my personal environment & enters the environment of others.

Compass thot:

When this happens:  I/we can be like a serpent filled with “poisonous venom spewing out on others.  Once it hits the “air” and “ears” of others, it becomes a DEMOLITION SITE.

PROVERBS 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

Sharing “opinions” is not always wise or healthy…because if our “opinions” aren’t based on Scripture, what use are they.    Many times, it’s wise to keep our opinions to ourselves.  It’s not always healthy to share my/our opinions for it reflects more on the person sharing than those who hear….and can do great emotional damage.

PROVERBS 16:23 “The heart of the wise TEACHES his/her mouth and adds LEARNING to his/her lips.

Compass thot:

My/our lips need to be in school to learn not only what TO SAY &HOW TO SAY IT, but what NOT TO SAY.

PROVERBS 26:20 “Where there is NO WOOD, the FIRE GOES OUT.”

Compass thot:    CUT THE KINDLING in our CONVERSATION

Kindling meaning:  material (words to ignite something) that burns easily and is used to start a fire.

2 CHRONICLES 20:15 “Do not be AFRAID or DISCOURAGED because of this vast army (people going again me), for the BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, but GOD’S.

Compass thot:   What kind of “results do you want…. yours or God’s?”

2 CHRONICLES 20:12” O our/my God, will You not judge them?  For we/I have no power to face this vast army (this person or these people) that is attacking us/me.  We/I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT OUR/MY EYES ARE UPON YOU.

OUR CHARACTER IS THE LEGACY OF OUR LIPS!!

I love the term “compass thot” because it presents a fresh & Godly perspective on how I will or should handle or respond to another.

We each are to take responsibility for our own words.  Getting a compass on my heart & words helps me RESPOND better rather than just REACT.

My prayer:

Father You were privy to every word and tone of the words given to me the other day.  You alone know how they not only hurt, but they were so “untimely” in what was going on in my life.

Please heal my heart and strengthen it by your power, as I have no ability to heal the damage done.  Help me leave this person and their attitude and words displayed on me to you.   Be my defense.   And if I’m to ever encounter this again, quiet my heart and by your Holy Spirit, give me YOUR WORDS if You would choose to allow this to occur again.   It’s YOUR BATTLE…. not mine.

Thank you for understanding my heart & the person who hurt me.

You Lord, saw this coming & allowed this….so I know I can “gain something through this experience.”   But I can’t do it without You.

Well, it has been about 5 months since placing a post on the blog!  As I mentioned last November, we were in the transitional phase of moving from Surrey, B.C., Canada to Goodyear, Arizona, U.S.A.  Let me tell you, it was a BIG MOVE and I’m still settling into our new location.  

With an international move, this requires finding a new doctor, dentist, grocery store, hair salon, meeting neighbors, the mail carrier and a myriad of other “new experiences.”   By the way, I have met all the close-by neighbors, and just the other day, I introduced myself to our nice mailman.  I’ve promised him “cool drinks” throughout this upcoming HOT season they call Summer.   He arrives by 9:00 a.m., so I compliment his service with a cold drink first thing in the morning.  His reaction to this:  a big GRIN on his face.

Since I’ve been placed in a “new season” myself, I thought that I might introduce a new approach to this blog.  I think I’m going to call it:

COMPASS THOUGHTS or COMPASS THINKING

My reasoning behind this “new route” is that I’d like to just share with you some of what the Lord has been sharing and teaching me in my journey down here.   Since we’re all human, we experience similar challenges, fears, doubts and anxieties in our individual walk of faith as we continue to experience God’s faithfulness.

I’ve found that we “need each other” to encourage, challenge, correct and uphold one another.  One thing we all have in common is that we aren’t perfect, or do we  have our “act” together as we see it appear on many Facebook posts.  I rarely walk the pages of Facebook; my time is precious: and I’m not into what people had for lunch or how they appear “air-brushed” and “all-together.”  Sometimes perusing our cell phone information can be addicting and very “distracting” from the important things in life.

So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to pretend that you are on the other side of my computer screen and we’re having “tea” or a “latte” together.   I’m a “people person,” so I’d love your feedback or input anytime you’d like to share that with me.  Feel free to email me personally, and if you have “signed on” to receive my blog, your email address will be kept confidential.

My posts will be transparent and honest.  They won’t appear as perfect, so if there’s a typographical error, please grant me grace & mercy.   We’re walking this life down here in the grace and mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  What a journey we’re on … but we’re not alone.

Someone has requested that I begin posting with the following poem.  Each of our lives “tell a story.”  Each day is a new page for our Creator/Author to work in, on, and through us. 

I appreciate this poem, because it states so clearly that our lives “do influence others.”   My prayer is that God will continue His work in us so that we more accurately reflect Him in our day-to-day living.

The Gospel According to You

Men are not reading the Bible today

They’re dashing about in their own reckless way.

Most of them don’t care what God has to say,

But brother, they’re reading you.

What is the gospel according to you?

Can people see that to Christ you are true?

Your neighbor reads your actions and deeds,

What can he read in you?

Timothy read what was written by Paul,

I like to read about David and Saul.

But most people don’t read the Bible at all

But brother, they’re reading you.

The gospel according to Matthew I love,

Mark, Luke and John point to heaven above.

They all fit together like hand in glove,

The blessed whole Bible is true.

But most people don’t care what Jesus has said,

Their minds may be keen, but their souls are so dead.

The Bible ignored – they read comics instead

But brother, they’re reading you.

You are writing a gospel a chapter each day,

By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say.

Men read what you write whether faithless or true

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

Anonymous

Corrie ten Boom [Corrie’s father would use this analogy to teach her to trust in the Lord in all things.]

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5, 6

JANUARY 1, 2023

let’s all trust the Engineer of our lives….the Lord Jesus Christ….who holds each day for us. We live before an “audience of One!”

May your year be especially meaningful as you see His hand and heart in all that He works in you, through you and for you. Only God can works all things “together” for our good and His glory.

Father, You’re such a “personal” God and Father.   One of the first characteristics that comes to my mind about your physical appearance when You were here on this earth is your HANDS.  Your HANDS were pierced for me, my individual sins and rebellion, anger and indifference.  My heart had a coldness and deadness before You reached out to me.

The love You have for me is so inexpressible, yet You found expression through Your HANDS…HANDS nailed to a cross for me so I could be “brought back” and “bought back” to You.

In heaven You tell me that all tears and scars that caused those tears, will be wiped away.  Yet there will always be a beautiful scar that will never cease to exist.  And that’s the scar in YOUR HANDS for me individually.

Your HANDS are so beautifully accepting – accepting me always, just as I am, even though I’m in process of your changing my behavior, character, attitudes and thoughts, I need never fear rejection.

Father, in this same way, fashion my HANDS to be accepting to people, all kinds of people.  Their behavior, like mine, may be repulsive, rude and unloving sometimes, but Lord, Your agape acceptance speaks volumes.  Express Your acceptance through my HANDS. 

By this I mean through how I welcome, reach out, make meals, serve, pour refreshments, hold, hug and shake hands with others.  May others sense the acceptance and tenderness and warmth of Your love of them through the instruments of my hands.

Your HANDS are constantly outstretched, ready to lift up so many areas of my life.  Things like hurts, pain and disappointments.  Lord, help me to lift “out my hands” ready to embrace others and lift up to You their broken dreams, hurts, pain and disappointments to you on their behalf.

My hands are your “human instruments” to work with others, for others and around others.  I want my efforts to be pleasing to you regardless of what I’m doing – whether it’s diapering an infant, baking, taking in another’s trash cans, washing, crafting, sewing, creating, or just pouring a glass of cold water for another.

YOU NOTICE, USE AND BLESS EVERY TINY LITTLE THING I DO …. AS UNTO YOU FOR OTHERS!

As I “lotion” my hands to make them soft, please use my hands to give those soft touches and meaningful squeezes to those who need to be noticed and touched in gentle ways.    Use my human hands to be an expression of your heart – wiping away tears or applying a gentle touch of needed tenderness and awareness of their presence.

I don’t want to just touch another…. but to feel the fears and anxiety and discomfort of those You send my way.  Help me to hold the hand of others and walk “with them” through their disappointments, pain, anxieties, fears and losses.  May others feel Your expression of touch to their lives through even simple little casseroles or desserts, notes, letters or gifts I present to them with my hands.

May I realize that when others touch my life, it’s You touching my life through them.

You reside within me by Your Holy Spirit!  That’s thrilling that Your desire is to touch others through my simple, and even broken life.   You long to “get out of me…to ooze out of me” into the lives of others.

Impress upon my hands how You wish to use them, regardless of how young or old they are.  Cause me to realize more vividly that every time I use my hands toward another in any way, that is You, the Almighty Creator touching them.

Father, when others need affirmation and encouragement, my hands are available to clap and cheer to affirm their efforts and work. I want to be more responsive in this area so I can “pat others on the back,” to strengthen and affirm them.

When a little one is given to me to hold in my hands, remind me to pray for them and lift them to You.

Lord, as I lift my hands to praise You, help me do so with “holy hands” ….my sin confessed, wrong attitudes dealt with and forgiveness extended.

Your “pierced hands” on the cross were a gift to me, to bring me spiritual life, a newness to my life.

Your hands fashioned me in my mother’s womb.  You knew me before I had form or parts.  Your hands wove me together to be just as You wished, to express Your grace in not only my life, but to affect the life of others.

Lord, all that I have belongs to you.   Remind me not to hold tightly with my hands those possessions I’m only a steward of.  I may be in possession of many things, but You own them and have every right to do with them as You please.

Father, You are sovereign and in full control of my life.  Thank you for my hands and the life-flowing love You wish to express through them.  As I think about it, even if I was born without hands or they were injured beyond repair, You can use many parts of my body to embrace others in ways beyond a physical touch.

One day I will be embraced by Your arms of love, into Your presence.  Oh, what joy that will be to not only be held by You, but to hold You, the God of grace and love.

Good Morning! Each morning I receive, by email, a short “devotional thought” from Dr. Charles Swindoll. He is the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church. His service can be listened to by using YouTube on your television or cell phone.

This morning’s post is “wonderful & practical.” I felt compelled to share it on this post. I made two copies for myself….one to put in my Bible and the other on the mirror in our bathroom. I want to be reminded daily to “adorn my life and walk of faith” with this Christ-like quality.” How about you?!

LIVING MERCY….by Chuck Swindoll  –  November 14, 2022

Hebrews 4:14-15

“The Apostle John asks: “If someone who is supposed to be a Christian…sees a brother in need, and won’t help him – how can God’s love be within him?”  (l John 3:17 TLB).

True servants are merciful.  They care.  They get involved.  They get dirty, if necessary.  They offer more than pious words.

And what do they get in return?  What does Christ promise?  They shall receive mercy.”  Those who remain detached, distant, and disinterested in others will receive like treatment.  But God promises that those who reach out and demonstrate mercy will, in turn, receive it.  Both from other people as well as from God Himself.

That is exactly what Jesus, our Saviour, did for us when He came to earth.  By becoming human.  He got right inside our skin, literally.  That made it possible for Him to see life through our eyes, feel the sting of our pain, and identify with the anguish of human need.  He understands.

Get inside someone’s skin today to understand and give mercy.”

Good morning ! My husband and I are currently in the middle of an international “move” from Canada to the U.S.A. (Arizona, specifically). My days and weeks have been rather “full.” I’m moving towards the end of wrapping up our lives in Canada, and this morning, as I was having my time with the Lord, I came across an important “reminder.” It’s in the form of a LIST.

No doubt, many of us employ lists to help us remember what “to do.” I hope you’re encouraged by this “list” as I have been. It may be awhile before I begin regular posts again, but taking the time to say hello.

Quote from Experiencing God Devotional (Henry Blackaby/Claude King) (Matthew 11:28)

“At times you may feel so worn out and stressed that you are not sure you can take another step.  You may seem to spend all your time running from crisis to crisis and to be constantly giving your time and energy to others.  Your Lord wants to renew your strength and enable you to enjoy the abundant life He intends for you.  The key is to wait upon Him to do so.

Our generation does not enjoy waiting.  We are harried by all the commitments we have made and the many responsibilities we hold.  We rush through our lives without stopping to evaluate our activities.  Sometimes in our haste to get on with our work, we race ahead of God.  Part of God’s restorative process is to slow us down and make us listen to Him.  As we wait on Him, God will remind us of our utter dependence upon His strength.  When we slow down and seek His will, He will reveal His plans.

Biblically, waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active.  Waiting requires us to cease our own pursuits and give God our complete attention.  We may have to give up some of the activities we have allowed to inundate our lives.  We may need to take time to sit quietly before the Lord.  If we ask Him, God will show us the resources He has provided to help with the work we have been attempting on our own.  God may address feelings of guilt that have motivated us to do things that He has not asked us to do.

Jesus carried more responsibility than you do.  More people needed Him than will ever need you.  Yet He was never overwhelmed or inadequate for the task.  Now Christ offers to guide you so that you will fulfill your heavenly Father’s will and gain the strength necessary for each day.”

After reading this devotional comment many years ago, I began a “list” that continues to free me, re-direct me and help me focus on what’s “really important.”

“NOT DO” or “STOP LIST”

*          Stop thinking I must give & try to meet all the needs that appear before me.  Check in with my current duties and responsibilities and weigh them before the Lord and my family first.  I need to make sure I’m busy doing “what God has asked & orchestrated” for me.

*          Stop hurrying to do things.  Unless it’s an “emergency,” slow your pace.  I have all the time to do what my Lord wants each day.

*          Stop talking……and listen to what the other person is saying without waiting for them to draw a breath and insert your vocabulary.   Hear the other person first, rather than anxious to talk about myself or share my opinion.

*          Be a “gift” to others!   Be fully “present.”   Be eye to eye with others and listen carefully rather than looking at my cell or glancing at others going by.  There’s nothing more irritating and rude than to act as though you can’t wait for another to stop talking so you can get on with your life.

*          Don’t allow another’s behavior and attitude to rob me of my joy or intimacy with God.

*          Don’t allow another’s behavior and attitude to alter my treating them with “grace.”

*          Stop trying to fix everything or everyone else.  Besides, that’s not my job.  Talk to God about others, before you talk to others about God.  Allow God to do the changing and influencing in another.  You are to pray for them.

*          Stop saying “yes” to every opportunity that’s asked of me.  I can’t or shouldn’t jump to everything that comes my direction.    I’m to listen to God and get my sense of purpose and direction from Him rather than succumb to being pressured by the demands of others.  There will always be needs….and I’m not designed or asked to meet all of them.

*          Stop thinking you need to meet everyone’s expectations of you.  It’s more important to please the Lord than anyone else.

*          Make sure God isn’t “squeezed” into my day; but that He’s in first place….as you appropriately meet your family’s needs.

*          There’s no need for experiencing “false guilt” or “pressure from others” as a motivation to do or be involved where God hasn’t Himself asked me.  Allow God to orchestrate the events in my life.  There’s no need for burnout.

*          Stop being too involved in doing “good things” that I neglect to be “what God wants me to be.”  In other words, don’t allow the urgent to crowd out the important.   Allow God to give me His wisdom on saying “no” to good things, so I can say a resounding “yes” to the best and wisest.

*          God is asking me to “be” the right person (in my actions, thoughts, words, motives & speech)……not try to do everything.

*          Do not “compare myself with others.”  His plan for “me” is unique to me and no other.  Besides, there’s no one more qualified to be me… than me.  Comparison in anything is a killer to my growth and intimacy with God.  If you want to compare yourself with anyone, make it be Jesus and His standards.

*          Are my plans, interests, passions and desires according to “my plans (agenda) or His plans?  It’s helpful and wise to check in “daily” and see what’s on the calendar of “His heart.”

GOD IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO I AM BECOMING….

THAN WHAT I’LL EVER DO FOR HIM

QUIETNESS is the classroom where you learn to hear God’s voice.”  (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)

P.S. If this post has encouraged or challenged you, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s begin a classroom of quiet learners….sound good?!

Most of my delightful encounters have occurred in a very ‘ordinary’ way.  You know, when I’m minding my own daily business.  I was stationed in our front yard armed with my shovel and prepared for some serious plant removal. 

Within minutes of beginning my “dirt” project, a thought appeared on my brain’s radar: “Dianne, take one of your soothing pillows to your neighbor down the street.  You’ve given one to most of your neighbors, but not this one.”

It seemed loud enough to be of human origin, and I looked around to check.  It had been inaudible, but it came on me like a “strong urging.”  Yes, I remember that I hadn’t given this woman a soothing pillow, but thought I’d wait until my gardening goal was finished.

“No! Go now.”  It was such a profound urging, that I dropped my spade and went in to wash my hands and grab one of the pillows from our closet.

A soothing pillow is often referred to as a “wheat bag.”  It is clean red wheat sewn inside some material and made into a bag.  Once heated in a microwave they are marvelous to use for a variety of aches and pains.  My mother-in-law introduced me to these years ago.  

My “unmet” neighbor lived just two houses down from our home.  As I was approaching the driveway, I softly committed my knock at the door to the Lord to see what He would do with this “little pillow.”

A beautiful woman answered the door and I uttered, “Hi, I’m Dianne and I live just down the street.  I made this soothing pillow for you months ago, and am just now getting around to delivering it to you.”

Like most people, the pillow needed some instruction to its many uses.  After the directions were given, the woman just about cried. Now I’ve had many reactions to sharing these pillows, but tears weren’t one of them.

From that moment on, she spent fifteen minutes telling me about her severe back pain.  As she told me her need of some relief, I thought.  My goodness, God’s urging a few minutes earlier was “right on time.”

After hearing of her months-long dilemma, she kept repeating: “How did you know I needed this?” and kept repeating the question.  Well, how else could I have responded except that I was a Christian, and that I felt that the Lord wanted me to rush this over to your home … even though I had no idea about her situation.

After learning of her specific need, I realized that I had the exact “back pain” in the same area as hers, about 15 years earlier.  I knew first hand, the pain she must have been experiencing.  It was unbearable … without the help of strong pain meds.

What is unique and difficult about her situation is that due to COVID, the physicians in British Columbia were restrained from the normal number of surgeries they would conduct.  When I asked if she had contacted a neurosurgeon, she replied that she had contacted several, but no one would see her.  She even inquired about going out of the country if a surgeon would see her.

Now, it was obvious to me that she needed surgery and that life wasn’t going to improve without it.  It was at this point that I mentioned the name of the doctor who operated on me just five years earlier.  He’s one of the best neurosurgeons in Canada.   She hadn’t heard of him, but I shared that I would get the number for her and at least she could attempt to make contact.  She felt that the effort would be futile.

About this time, her grown daughter appeared at the front door to see what all the conversation was about.  Soon after the introduction, my next comment was to ask if she minded if I prayed for her?  Yes, right then and there at her front door.  It was a resounding YES!

I bowed my head and a “prayer meeting” commenced.  Afterwards, she walked me gingerly to the end of her driveway, and keep repeating her gratefulness, followed by ‘how did you know?’  I again simply said that it was Jesus Who knew her need and wanted to help her.

A few days elapsed and one morning the doorbell rang.  As I opened the door, I was met by this woman and a bouquet of flowers.  She continued saying “Thank You”, after each I tried her to focus her on the Lord and how He cares for us deeply and longs to be involved in our lives.

Then the ‘SURPRISE’ came.  She phoned this surgeon the following day, and he agreed to see her within a week or so.  To her, that was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!   I remember praying for her and asking the Lord to help in whatever way He knew best.

We often can feel like we’re putting God on the spot … wondering when or how He’ll answer our prayers.  I was delighted … and she was ecstatic. 

To make a very long story short, within about six weeks she had the surgery and the vertebrae correction was made and she was out of pain.   During the course of waiting, I was able to share my faith in Jesus Christ and my commitment in following Him.

At the time of this writing, I have no idea where she is with all this.  What I do know is that God was made to look good to this neighbor, who needed His help. 

The following passage from 1 Peter 5:7 describes this situation precisely: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

As Dr. Tony Evans (from the Urban Alternative Ministry) often shares:  God is our SOURCE, all others and everything else are just a RESOURCE.

Let’s make God the first One we go to for any need!

I’m guessing that the title of this story hasn’t really gripped you?  Or, has it?   In our world today, people seem to look for people and circumstances that are a “cut above” the ordinary.   Seldom do I come across others who are “content and satisfied” with who and how God created them to be.

Generally speaking, we humans seem to long for the need to be successful, significant, important, irreplaceable, outstanding, remarkable, prosperous, at the top of our game, bestselling and notable.  

For many, it’s a life goal!  We can strive, manipulate, orchestrate and wish ourselves beyond belief.  Just get on Facebook for 10 minutes, and you’ll witness a display of the wonders and accomplishments of people and their perfectly ordered lives.

If we’d all embrace and rest in Psalm 139, verses 13 through 18, we’d be saturated daily with the knowledge of how we were “designed by God.”  Yes, it’s a fallen world in which we live, that’s blatantly obvious. 

However, God’s purposes for each of us are beyond what we could imagine, if we’d just yield to “His plans and purposes” instead of mapping out our life’s agenda by ourself without consulting with Him.   There’s no requirement by our Creator that our bodies and minds need to be perfect for Him to use us. 

As in the design of a watch, the watchmaker knows best how it works and fulfills its purposeful design.  Even a tulip never longs to be a rose.  It’s content with the color, design and blooming effectiveness it has in being what it was designed to be.

“For it was You Who created my inward part; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.  Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.  My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.”  Psalm 139:13-18

God “custom designed” each of us to love Him, know Him, and enjoy Him both now and forever.  And most of all we are  to “glorify Him” (or in my own words…. make God look good) as we live out His plans for our lives

“I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself.”  “My Utmost for His Highest” devotional, by Oswald Chambers

I’ve been nourished and mentored by a few beautiful women in my journey of life, and many of them spoke, shared and lived in ways that “nourished my heart to love and trust the Lord, regardless of what was going on in my life.”   All of these women would have considered themselves very “ordinary;” but they made an “extraordinary” impact in my sojourn.

In many of the stories you’ve read, I’ve shared numerous times the “life goal” that God gave me years ago.   It’s given me focus, purpose, passion, and direction.

AFTER PEOPLE SPEND TIME WITH ME, WHAT DO THEY THINK OF

JESUS CHRIST?

It isn’t necessary that I win every argument, or prove I’m somebody or even share any earthly accomplishments.

As I listen and learn from other Christians, there seems to be a theme that often leaks out and displays itself in the following phrase.

I want to do BIG things, IMPORTANT things for God and His kingdom. 

But there’s nothing in the Bible that tells us that.  Jesus longs that we be faithful in the “little things.”   He takes our everyday, simple obedience and uses it in incredible ways.  The stories I’ve shared from my life are all composites of “tiny, insignificant” ingredients.

God yearns to use each of us and with what we place in His hand.  Every outreach of care, concern, or even baked goods can be multiplied when placed in His hands to use and to bless.   But we must give Him something to work with…something for Him to multiply.

God never asks us to do what we think is important.  He asks us to do what He thinks is important.  And what He thinks is important, ofttimes seems so “insignificant to us.”   Why?  I feel it’s because we’re not looking at it through the lens of the Omnipotent, Omniscient Creator, Who “makes the insignificant and ordinary, of profound value.”

Just this week I met a man who shared his passion for loving others into God’s family.  He spoke of the various “tiny opportunities” God gave him to affirm and love his friend.  He shared how his friend had sought God through a myriad of religions.   He came to hate “all religion.”

My friend made it clear that God hates religion too.  He wants a “relationship” with us.  In a conversation with this man, his friend blurted out these words:

“I want to know Jesus, because I know you.”

You might want to pause and re-read his comment.  I was blown away with this statement.  He wanted to know Jesus, because of the time spent with his friend.   He came to love the idea and the character and life of Jesus, by watching his friend’s life.  There’s no higher affirmation to receive.

We all live in different neighborhoods, and mix with a vast assortment of people.  We’re to be “lights in this world” to point to the Savior. 

If your personal wattage for Jesus was tested, how many watts would your life for Him be?  Are you shining brightly for Him……or are you perhaps just a night light?   Whatever your voltage, your light is to shine in our dark world.

So, after people spend time with you and with me, do they have a more accurate picture of Who Jesus is, and why He came to earth to die for each one of us …. so we could be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God.

Like the woman at the well event told in Scripture, Jesus spoke to an ORDINARY woman, on an ORDINARY day, in an ORDINARY way and made her life EXTRAORDINARY for her Savior.  Her shaded immoral life was transformed at the well, and she ran into her town sharing with everyone about Jesus and the difference He made in her life.

Let’s be prayerfully sensitive to every “tiny opportunity” the Lord brings along our path in life to share the love and message of Jesus Christ.  For everything “we do or say” should represent how Jesus would reach out to show others His love.

Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

This verse “shouts” that even a “cup of ORDINARY COLD WATER,” that is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, God will bless and use to reach others; for He notices, uses and blesses every little thing we do, on His behalf, to touch another.

DO PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW JESUS

BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU?

I’m closing with two poems that so beautifully illustrate the influence our lives carry upon other people.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU

Men are not reading the Bible today

They’re dashing about in their own reckless way.

Most of them don’t care what God has to say,

But brother, they’re reading you.

What is the gospel according to you?

Can people see that to Christ you are true?

Your neighbor reads your actions and deeds,

What can he read in you?

Timothy read what was written by Paul,

I like to read about David and Saul.

But most people don’t read the Bible at all

But brother, they’re reading you.

The gospel according to Matthew I love,

Mark, Luke and John point to heaven above.

They all fit together like hand in glove,

The blessed whole Bible is true.

But most people don’t care what Jesus has said,

Their minds may be keen, but their souls are so dead.

The Bible ignored – they read comics instead

But brother, they’re reading you.

You are writing a gospel a chapter each day,

By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say.

Men read what you write whether faithless or true

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

Anonymous

This next poem was read to a church audience by Lee Strobel.  It was written by a 24-year-old nurse who had been poisoned against God and poisoned against the church looking at followers of Jesus Christ and saying these words.  

Do you know?  Do you understand that you represent Jesus to me.

Do you know?  Do you understand when you treat me with gentleness, it raises the question in my mind, well maybe He is gentle too.  Maybe He isn’t someone who laughs when I get hurt.

Do you know?  Do you understand that when you listen to my questions, and you don’t laugh at them, I think well maybe Jesus is interested in me too.

Do you know?  Do you understand that when I hear you talk honestly about arguments and conflicts and scars from your past.  Then I think well, maybe I am just a regular person instead of a bad, no good little girl who deserves abuse.

If you care, then I think maybe He cares, and then there’s this flame of hope that burns inside of me.  And for awhile I’m afraid to breathe because it might go out

Do you know?  Do you understand that your words are His words, and your face is His face to someone like me.

Please, be who you say you are.  Please God, don’t let this be another trick.    Please let it be real this time.  Please

Do you know?  Do you understand that you, you, and you represent Jesus to me.

God longs to “ooze from the pores of our lives” to all those we come in contact.  Our lives are to be lived in such a way that others want Him too.  Yes, you and I are called to live in such a relationship with God that our life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others…. not admiration for ourselves.

I’d like to close with the following quote from a pastor I heard recently from Dallas, Texas.  It so beautifully sums up what the quality of our influence produces in the lives we touch.

God tells us:

“My image is stamped in your being, and that I want that to be a display in the world of what it looks like to live your life aligned to Me; so that the world in darkness can see a display of how wonderful it is to live a life under the rule of God – not the rule of all those false gods.

God wants His life to ooze from your life.

God’s providence is the hand of God inside the glove of human events.

God works among my work and efforts”

Dr. Jonathan Murphy, Professor and Chair of the Pastoral Ministries Department at Dallas Theological Seminary

A closing compass thought:

How are you and I “expressing God” to others?

This event was rather recent!  In public we’re still cautious due to COVID “caution.”   One day last week, we needed to make a visit to our bank.  Before exiting the car, we proceeded to “mask up” before entering the bank.  Funny isn’t it that years ago, a person entering a bank adorned with a mask would immediately be “suspect.”

Walking through the front door, it seemed that we were the only “masked clientele.”   As we approached the area where a teller was located for my husband to transact his business.

I was standing next to him and it wasn’t long before I noticed a young man sort of parading back and forth and fidgeting with papers.  His eyes were piercing, and it was quite noticeable that he was keen to stroke or poke at odd things that were close to where he was.

He appeared as though he might be about 14 to 16 years of age, so at first, I assumed he was just curious about the variety of materials on display as he gazed around the teller area.

Many years ago, I worked at a bank and we were schooled to be alert to people acting strangely.  This young man certainly qualified.  My attention was focused on him at this point, wondering why his behavior was a little odd.

As some time had elapsed, it became clear that he was in the bank with an older gentleman, perhaps his dad.  There was no conversation between the two of them, but every once in awhile, this young man would glance over to the older man.   Watching the two of them was like piecing together a puzzle.  Yet, the pieces weren’t clear as to their business at the bank.

Within about ten minutes a female employee approached the dad indicating that he would need to wait a few minutes before being served as there were other customers ahead of him.  Shortly after that, the young man moved over closer to this older man and sat down in a vacant seat. Yes, I figured out that they were together.

It wasn’t long before the teller advised my husband that we would need to be seated and wait for the bank manager to have a word with us.   Now, we too were waiting for an appointment.

I didn’t think it would be a long wait, but as we entered the waiting area, the young man rose from the chair and glanced over to me.   He began motioning with his hands for me to sit down in the chair he had  occupied.

He never spoke a word, noticing his gaze, he looked directly at me and continued pointing to the now empty chair.

It was at this point I began to feel uncomfortable.  I was thinking to myself, I really don’t need to sit down, as I figured our wait wouldn’t be long and I wanted to remain standing.

But this young man had the insistence of a policeman.  He continued to  glance my way persistently pointing.  I can be slow at times, but it was now quite obvious that he wanted “me to sit down” in that chair.

I smiled and nodded my head in an east-west position indicating that I wasn’t interested in sitting in the chair.

Didn’t I just use the word “persistence” to describe his antics?  After several more points from this young man, I finally thought to myself, he means business.

So, as not to cause any more stress to this young man, I “sat down.”  He smiled with delight and glanced away.

To my surprise, the older man said to my husband and I, “He doesn’t talk.”   The puzzle seemed complete.  His dad never told us what was wrong, but this sweet-natured young man obviously noticed I was older than him, and he felt I should have the honor of being comfortable by sitting in that empty chair.   A chair he could have chosen to remain in himself.

Immediately after the final piece of the puzzle came into view, I realized that God used this young man “to honor me.”  I felt like I was going to go into tears.   You may ask why.  It’s because I didn’t see clearly enough to realize all the elements of this encounter.

God was blessing me with this boy who couldn’t speak to show me he cared enough for my comfort.

Even as I communicate this scenario on paper, there’s a tender tug in my heart at how the Lord was asking me to “sit down,” and enjoy the fact that He used someone who had some form of physical impairment to bless my life.

The sensitivity and kindness of this young boy was so paramount in my mind that God was making Himself known through the treasure of this person’s attentiveness to me.

KINDNESS IS A GIFT…AND SOMETIMES DELIVERED WITHOUT LANGUAGE

This episode at the bank left “me speechless;” but so filled up with a quiet appreciation for how the Lord makes Himself known to us in sometimes “unidentifiable ways.”

We often overlook the fact that our loving Heavenly Father is concerned about the “little details” of our lives.   Matthew 10:29 “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin?  But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”