Dishonest to God Acts 4:32 – 5:11

I love the cartoon that shows a picture of an answering machine.  When the phone rings, the recorded message says, “I am listening to your voice.  If, when I hear you, I want to talk to you, I will pick up the telephone.  Otherwise, leave a message.”  The caption under the cartoon says, “Finally, an honest answering machine.”

Yes, we have those answering machines for a reason.  Those machines we hold dear in our home really are telling people that:   I’d enjoy talking with you, but at a more convenient time.  I’m either sleeping, eating, napping, working or talking with others, or maybe not talking with anyone, but at the moment I don’t feel like speaking with others.   So, hold tight, leave your message, and I will get back to you, if I really want to speak with you. 

I hope you’re laughing, as I was having a little fun about honesty.   But let’s be honest here: if you don’t have an answering machine, no worries, just don’t answer the phone.  If it’s important, people will phone back.

My study of this woman, Sapphira, is about dishonesty.  Here are some words to describe what it means to be “honest:”  scrupulous, straightforwardness, correct, trustworthy, exact, verifiable, candid, respectful, factual, plain, authentic, legitimate, truthful, character, just to name a few.   I found it interesting that the word “character” was listed. 

As I looked at this woman’s life, I was thinking about the level of honesty in churches, fellowships and even Christian organizations.  Oh my, wouldn’t we think that honesty would not be a problem in these arenas of living.   But these areas of relationships all involve people….and to be honest, we are all not “always honest,” let’s be honest.

Women in the New Testament were real women, with real issues and the Bible simply tells it like it was in each of these women’s’ lives.  And as I mentioned earlier, aren’t we glad He’s not writing about our lives!

What do you think when you hear the words “being honest with God.”   God’s word paints the accuracy in and of peoples’ lives, warts and all.

Why is it we’re sometimes afraid to be “honest with God?”   If anyone knows the naked truth about each of us, He does.   Our humanness enjoys “air-brushing our behavior, thoughts, and attitudes” wouldn’t you say?   We’d rather others, and even God sometimes, to see our best side.

How ridiculous that we think we can hide or cover over things.   The Scriptures are so right when our hearts are exposed for what they really are…..desperately wicked, and out to deceive us.  This inner “air-brushing” of our lives is sinful and this woman, Sapphira, lived to tell her lie and then she died!   Quite a “consequence.”

In these verses in Acts we hear about the generosity and “what’s mine, is thine” approach to their possessions.   Everyone was sharing whatever they had.   Each person owned possessions and could do with them whatever they chose.   When needs arose, a general outpouring of care was expressed to those in need.   It was as though they took to heart that they were only stewards of God’s provision, not owners.

My husband and I were really wanting to wear this one in our lives.   One day as my husband was out on the highway, a woman ran into the car he was driving.  The car was totalled.  

A few weeks later, I was on the freeway and experienced a group of cars in a four car pile-up.  I was in one of the cars in the middle of this accordion collision.   Our second car was totalled.   When I phoned my husband, I remember sharing with him that “God’s other car” had now been totalled.  My husband, knowing I was all right, just shaken up, chuckled with me.  

I can’t tell you the relief I felt inwardly just saying that it was God’s second car that had been totalled.  It took the “ownership” out of the stressful situation.   But, in all honesty, it was “His car” that we were driving around and were stewards of it.

How would it feel if everyone was honest, gently honest, but honest?  Freeing and refreshing are words that sure come to mind.   Why aren’t we always honest with others?   Could it be that we don’t want to hurt another’s feelings, so we are gentle with our words.  But if we were honest, perhaps being truthful wouldn’t always be embraced or appreciated.

Sometimes, the truth hurts, but I’d rather have a friend who loves me and is committed to me be truthful, wouldn’t you.   I know God always tells me the truth about myself.  Sometimes, when He does that with you, is it hard to take? 

Since we’re being honest here, I do.   But there’s something “freeing” when I admit the truth and see it for what it is and what, perhaps, some wrong thought pattern or attitude that is hurting me and hurting my relationship with another person.

God takes honesty very serious.  If we doubt that, take another look at the consequences of this poor woman, Sapphira.   Talk about “drop dead honesty” this is it.  She is compared with Barnabas, who had property, sold it and gave everything he wanted to give to the apostles to help others.  In this case, he wanted to give all the profit to help others.   None of the people in the church were forced to give a certain amount, each one decided what their donation would be to others who were in need. 

This couple, Mr. Ananias and his wife Sapphira were in what we’d call “cahoots” with each other.  They had also sold property and decided on the amount they’d admit to as their profits. 

Can’t we gather from their story, they wanted to “look better to the community” than they were willing to sacrifice.  Perhaps they heard about Barnabas, and wanted to get in on the ban wagon of generosity…..but without telling the whole truth about their “property profits.”  I mean, who’s going to know whether they told the truth about the amount or not.   Certainly no one there would be qualified to know the “real truth” about their financial 401K decision. 

As we discover, there was some One there who knew the truth about the situation!   God’s Holy Spirit knew, and He was the One to whom they risked their lives in not disclosing it to Him. 

If we were a news reporter on the scene of this incident between Peter challenging the “authenticity of this benevolent financial gift” with Ananaias and his wife Sapphira we’d be in shock, to say the least. 

God’s Spirit was mightily working in and through the apostle Peter.  For He was the One who informed Peter of the discrepancy of this man’s disclosure of funds; or “more honestly” his attitude in the lie.   No doubt, he wanted to look good and very benevolent.  He didn’t even have a chance to repent, he dropped dead on the spot.

Then, later, Sapphira approached the “bench of truth.”  She didn’t need to lie.  She could have thought about it and told exactly what they, as a couple had decided to do with the profits, give some and keep some.   They weren’t coerced in giving.  People were giving out of the generosity and authenticity of their hearts.    Here was the problem, this couples’ hearts weren’t all they were cracked up to be.   The “motive of their hearts” were to look good, regardless of the truth.

To bring a little “shoe leather living” upon this scenario, have you or I ever lied or implied that we were honest about something, when it wasn’t the full truth?   This woman didn’t leave the best “testimony” as soon as she was discovered, by the Holy Spirit through Peter, she dropped dead and was buried outside next to her husband.

Moral of this story….just be honest.   This couple wanted to look better in the eyes of others, but they lied not only to Peter, but to God.  He was “in on their conversation” and He is “in on our conversations too.”  

I think in all these lives, we can learn something.   In all honesty (good phrase here), don’t we want to look better to others…than perhaps we are.  I know for myself, I just adore it when someone is “transparent” with some of their struggles.  No one is perfect, but this couples’ consequence reminds me and brings me up short, that we needn’t expect perfection, but we are refreshed with others are “transparent.”   Doesn’t it make you warm up to another who just admits a struggle, pain or sin once in a while?  

For those of us who are married, we shouldn’t always be wanting to shift blame, but rather learn to accept our part of the problem.  I think it’s called “ownership,” instead of the blame game.  Each of us are responsible for our “own behavior.”

Scripture tells us that great fear came upon everyone.  Can’t we understand why!  Perhaps others were evaluating their own lives at this point and this event surely brought clarity to the table. 

Another lesson this couples’ story teaches me is that “each of our lives influence others!”   It also teaches me that our spiritual life and closeness with our Father will be greatly hampered through dishonesty.  We lose our sensitivity to Him, His guidance, His correction, His closeness and we lose our “effectiveness on others” too.   Our influence toward loving God is hampered.  We’re to live contagious lives and influence others toward a relationship with Christ.

Any dishonesty in us also affects how we deal with others, and affects how or if we trust others.  We can, through our dishonesty, mistrust others.  We just won’t grow in our walk with God and our relationship with others is hindered.

Satan loves to work “within the family of God…within His church.”  He enjoys if we self-destruct and bring others with us.  Satan works in deceptive ways, introducing thoughts in us to tear down others from within….where it’s least expected.   No wonder Jesus said that “You’ll know them by their love…..their love toward one another.”  

Oh to respond to our Lord when He points toward a destructive behavior, to admit it, own it (which is honest repentance), and ask for not only His mercy and forgiveness, which is ours through Christ.   Oh the joy of those whose sin is forgiven.

Like our parents would tell us:   Honesty is the best policy! And it’s God’s policy too!

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION? WHAT BREATHES AIR INTO THE LUNGS OF YOUR LIVING?

Perhaps it’s time to conclude the pages of “my” stories, or “my encounters with the Living God” as I refer to them.  My prayer and wish throughout the writings of these true events, is that your heart has been stirred, and your life activated to begin a journey with Jesus of your own.   Years ago I never realized that God designed people to know Him, enjoy Him, and walk through life here on earth “with Him.”   I used to feel He was an abstract unknown…..that it was a religion verses a “relationship.”

I’m passionate about this because it’s a daily delight to know that God is personal and wants to be in a “personal relationship with me,” and with each of us.  But Jesus will never push His way into a life, but waits for you and me to recognize we need Him.   He is Holy and we are not!   We need our sins and waywardness from Him to be dealt with. 

God dealt with it all right – He sent His Son to come and take our sins upon Himself, receive the anger and punishment of God by dying on a cross, and taking that punishment which we individually deserve.  He was buried and three days later rose from the dead, alive forevermore.  He was seen by over 500 people, and then several weeks later ascended into Heaven to be with God the Father.  

That is the “good news!”   Jesus came here to earth to show us what God the Father is like.   Jesus is God……with skin on.   He died the death our sins deserve, and offers us His righteousness (perfection) in its place.

Those are the facts, plain and simple.   Jesus is THE GIFT…..but like all gifts, He needs to be received.   Have you received Him?   Have you received the gift of eternal life?   Because no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.   He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

John 14:6

Not too long ago the thought came to me, “How will I wrap up these stories?”   I carefully used the term wrap up and not “the end,” because each day of living offers opportunities to see God at work in our lives.   But our individual “eye sight” cannot see properly, our vision has been blurred and blinded by that three letter word…..”sin.”   The thrill comes when we decide to respond to God’s promptings in our life and where He works in our circumstances to help us see that we are desperately lost and sold out to going against Him.   If we “admit that” and turn to Him requesting His presence and leadership in our lives, God “instantly” opens our eyes to see Him (with our heart & inner eyesight).

 One particular day last month Romans 14:12 appeared in my reading.

Romans 14:12   “So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”

What a startling verse, regardless of whether you believe there is a God or not makes no difference to the truth of this Scripture.   One day we each will be asked by God:   What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?

There are only three possible answers: 

1.   Yes, I’ve invited Him to be my own personal Savior
2.   No, I decided that what He did on the cross means nothing to me
3.   No, I feel no need of Him, because I think I’m good enough already

Good enough?   We need to be “perfect” to live with our Creator, and anyone, who is in their right mind, must honestly admit they aren’t perfect. 

We can live each day going about our routines and responsibilities and never sense a deep purpose for living, may I call it “quality living.”   Oh we go through the motions, but without a real zeal for life here or the anticipation of how wonderful it could be to live with our Creator forever.   A forever, with purpose, pleasure, joys, fulfillment, and enthusiasm for living on a new earth, as it was planned in the beginning.  Heaven will not be boring, as some acclaim. 

My mind and heart began to really think about what it will be like for me to stand before Him and give an account of my life?   Jesus is my Savior, so I have no fear of punishment for my sins, because they’ve all been forgiven.  Jesus paid for all my sins (past, present and future).   So they won’t be in God’s ledger of my life, and I can only thank Jesus for that.

But He will review my life and how I lived it here on earth.  God has a plan, a purpose or “calling” for each of our lives; and all that began to marinate in my thinking after reading that verse.

Ephesians 1:18   “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you….”

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s handiwork (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Two thoughts arose in my mind.  What is my calling?   What has God asked me to do?

What a sobering thought, and yet it clarified something for me.   Like you, I want to receive a “well done” from Him and that comes by being faithful to what He has asked me to do.    It clarified it even more, because I will never be compared to anyone else.

So, my heart leapt into a prayer:  Father, help me RECOGNIZE what You may be asking me to do each day, and please give me the strength and enablement to do what You ask.   

He will not ask about things He didn’t ask me to do (like so many of my personal plans and ideas), so that narrows the evaluation down to a simple “Did I do each day what was asked of me?”   

Luke 16:10   “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…..”

What is your calling? What has God asked you to do?

What is my calling?  What has God asked me to do?

Our “well done” is based on what He has asked us to do….be faithful in the little things…..the everyday, ordinary, insignificant things of life.

My stories are really His stories of how He came near to show me He is real and yearns to be involved in the details of my life……and in your life.

Each day is an opportunity for God to express Himself in and through each of us in such “insignificant, oatmeal-ordinary ways.”  God is so EXTRAORDINARY in both the large and the ordinary.  In the meaningful and in the “macaroni moments” of life.

If you don’t have Him in your life, why not stop right now and extend Him the invitation to come into your life, forgive you for all your sins, and begin a journey with Him that will take you places you never imagined with Him in your daily walk.  He has plans far greater than you could ever imagine.

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

Jesus is EXTRAORDINARY amongst the ORDINARY !

And I love that about Him, don’t you?   We don’t have to do big things, just little things with a big heart for Him.   He’ll make the “mundane magnificent” and the “ordinary extraordinary!”

Oh that we would live our lives in such a way that would produce a “yearning for God” in the lives of others.

What foolish, seemingly insignificant things are you involved in for the Kingdom of God and His glory?

Even before the words are expressed on these pages, there has been a Gardener in my heart and soul that has stirred me to communicate and confess that the soil of my heart and soul has stagnated in places.  They aren’t areas of a large terrain, but some tiny opportunity spots that haven’t been exposed to the Son’s touch of refreshment and fertilizer.

Honesty prevailing here, I didn’t even recognize that the soil of my heart was becoming hidden and malnourished because I was afraid of pondering the landscape of grief.   The grief isn’t because of someone leaving this life, but rather a sense that my soil had shifted, and I felt that some of my roots seemed buried. 

This is difficult to write about because there is a stirring deep within me, but there is no outlet above ground.  It’s as though my passion is growing deep inside my heart, but there is nowhere for it to be expressed.  

Talking about these issues to a few close friends is not the answer, nor does it bring relief to talk with my husband.   In sharing this with the Lord, I know He understands and cares, and only the “nutrient of grace” He brings to me conveys peace, and the fact that His sovereignty rules over all.

Sovereignty:  supreme authority, control and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future, in all times, and across all history; and to govern all that happens, and what has, is, or will happen always being in accordance to His divine will.   He has the right to achieve His purpose, and has the power to bring about circumstances that dictate whatever He wills to come to pass.  He has complete control of everything, and there is nothing that is done that is not done or allowed through His will. 

Proverbs 16:6 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Zechariah 4:6 “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:  Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Psalm 103:19, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Even as I view these verses in front of me, they remind me that I am not in charge of any “opportunities for ministry,” God is.   I’ve been introduced to a few relationships in this new country I’m living in.  The moment I sense oxygen reaching out from within me, I’m transplanted again, out of that situation and into my home garden.

Seeing a beautiful garden brings such joy and beauty to me.  Whenever I meet other women, it’s like I’m entering their world, their garden of beauty, and I want to be involved in the soil of their lives.  A few meaningful conversations take place and my heart begins to beat, wondering where this relationship might be headed.

When the gate at these gardens close and I’m back home again, I’m home with disappointment flooding my heart and mind.

Seeing my thoughts on paper help me to realize afresh, that I’m not the one responsible for my life, my opportunities, my purpose, my fulfillment.   I’m His………and God is the One in the driver’s seat.   I’m sure somewhere buried beneath all this is pride…..yes…..but I want my life to count for eternity, and I long to come alongside other women and share truths and experiences from my walk with Him.

Seasons change….and our “personal soil” of location changes too.  A timely text arrived on my phone just now.  It’s a blog from Ann Graham Lotz and I must quote it, as it was to me, a beautiful reminder from God on what He may be up to in my “current soil” of waiting.

The Silence of God

He who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.   Psalm 32:10, NKJV

“Is God silent in your life?  What prayers has He not answered for you?  

At a time of unanswered prayer in my life years ago, my mother taught me the verse to a hymn that I still quote when I am totally baffled by events that seem to careen out of the orbit of what I have asked:

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,

Trust Him when thy strength is small,

Trust Him when to simply trust Him,

Seems the hardest thing of all.

Is your focus on your immediate need blinding you to a greater purpose that God is working out?  Would you choose to be patient and simply trust Him?  Sometimes God does not answer our immediate prayer because He has something greater in store for us.”  Anne Graham Lotz

                               

                  

If you’ve read any of my stories, you’ll recall my wee Canadian Hummingbird who became a long-time friend…..until we moved to Australia.   You’ll think I’m little “off,” but I felt responsible for her daily nutrition, especially since she had been feeding at my outside diner for almost three years.   My neighbor kindly adopted the feeding routine in her yard where she perched in a small tree throughout the day.

After our move and transition to Australia I wondered if God would ever grant me another opportunity to get up close and personal with His feathered creatures.    They are such a delight to my heart.

We had been in our home about two weeks and already I was on the lookout for birds.  Australia is filled with a marvelous array of birds of all kinds and sizes.   One bird in particular that I longed to see was a Kookaburra.    A dear friend of mine that had lived in Australia for many years shared many a story about Kookaburras.  In fact at one visit to her home we were talking about these birds and she burst forth, right in front of my eyes, making the sound of this bird.   To be honest, she mimicked the sound so well, that she sounded more like a Kookaburra than the actual bird.

One morning my husband and I were sitting on our patio and glancing out over the large arena of trees and land that we face towards the back of our home in Australia.   I was missing “little Hummer” and the closeness I had with this tiny little creature. Then, it dawned on us both.   Let’s ask God to send me a Kookaburra.

A few weeks had gone by, on this particular day we both heard the sound of a Kookaburra.  In no time we were out of our chairs and into the fridge to grab some ready-cut pieces of raw meat (a Kookaburra’s delight).  We then bounded out the front door, around the house, and into the field behind us.    We finally spotted two of them in a very tall eucalyptus tree.   They were both about 14” long, so they were a bit easier to locate than a small bird.   We threw the meat into the air near the tree they were sitting in, and kept backing up to see what would happen next.

The two of them spotted the two pieces of meat we tossed wildly in their direction.   Minutes later, as we continued to back away, they both pounced on the “buffet” of raw meat.   When we first heard them and were able to spot them in the tall trees, we continued the meat-tossing exercise and slowly moving backwards until we were at the bottom of the hill which met the fenced area of our yard.        

Surprisingly, together they both arrived a day or two later at our fence.  The male came for only about six weeks and never returned.  He is the bird on the left in the photos below.  His feathers were lightly dusted with a teal blue coloring on each side of his body.  Perhaps he found a better “dining table.”

What we wanted them to know was apparent.   Both seemed to “take notice” of our home address.   I also made a little sound as we proceeded along the grassy area.  The “meat-lined” tour ended and we went into the house; hopeful they would make the connection between seeing us, and realizing we had a delectable cuisine available to them, if they would only stop by and check us out.

The next morning I repeated the “sounds” I had made upon that first toss out of the meat the day before, hoping they would remember the calls.  At this moment of my story, you might want to sit down and prepare yourself for what God did next.

Yes, God does delight to respond to those who call out to Him.   God knows each of our hearts, and our heart’s desires.   My desire was to see and enjoy, up close, one of His little creatures.  And this morning, the “feathered show” was about to begin.  

The new routine as we both enjoyed a latte together (I’m speaking now of my husband) was in place and suddenly there she appeared!   A Kookaburra!  In all her radiant glory of appearance of grey, white, brown and a touch of teal blue draped on her wings.   When she came she sat there for about 3 minutes.  None of us moved.    The idea came to me to make the sound I made each morning to let her realize, she was at the “correct address” for a raw-meat snack.  

We were ready for her for whenever she would appear.  We had cut up slivers of raw meat and had them ready for distribution in the fridge.   I rose from my chair, ever-so-slowly, to collect the selection of meat and bring it outside.

I needn’t have be concerned that she would fly away, because she was perched on the fence for a good ten minutes.  We began to speak softly in her direction, all the while tossing intermittently, pieces of this raw meat in her direction.   There was hesitation at first, but she soon perceived that this was a “fine-dining experience” and she had better indulge herself before other fine flying creatures would retrieve the food ahead of her.

It didn’t take her four pieces of meat to catch on; and each time I would toss the meat a little closer to my feet.   Each morning upon her arrival I would repeat the routine of tossing the delivery of raw meat toward her direction.  This went on for about a week.  Then she must have added our “take away” to her daily agenda.  She began coming around 6:00 am and then again around 4:30pm.   Don’t tell me Kookaburra’s don’t have a rapport with “fine diners.”

              Ok, I’m ready for the nibbles.  I just had to insert the “proof!”

I think “adoption papers” are in the future, don’t you

This daily routine continued for about two weeks.  What a joy to have her respond to my call in the morning.  Within a few minutes in all her beauty she would alight herself on the fence, with her eyes peering at  me, and waiting until I placed a piece of meat about 12” from my feet.  This was a little closer than she had planned.  After all why move closer if the meal is delivered within a foot of your beak.

She paused for what seemed a long time, and then she hopped off the fence and hopped over to my feet.  I kept dropping little pieces and she would just remain in her “receiving position” about 12” from my feet.  Clumsy me started to drop the last piece of meat and for some reason it stuck to my hand.   No problem….she just waltzed over and took it “right out of my hand.”

I was breathless for a moment and so pleased I was alert enough to let go of the dangling meat from my fingers.   After digesting all of the delicacies at this close-up range, off she hopped and flew away.    

That morning was just the beginning of our journey together.  She arrives every morning now to sit at my feet for personalized feeding. 

Wait now, this isn’t the end of the story.  After about a week something even more special took place.   I was sitting at the table, waiting for her arrival, and as I was sipping my latte, she flew in for a landing “right on top of the table next to me.”   She just sat there, anticipating an up-close and personal encounter.   Was I ever pleased I was ready with the “tasty bits” distribution, but I had no idea she would want to perch next to me on the table. 

She arrives each morning and afternoon and is no longer satisfied with the on-the-ground serving of treats.  She must sit right next to me.   For details, I mean within 12” of my face.   And yes, I always wear my eye glasses.   After she dines, she remains on the table looking directly at me….as if to say, “Will there be more food?”  After about two or three minutes, she turns to the side and looks afar off, and I’m thinking she is now considering what direction she’ll head for more delicacies in the woods.

No, this assumption isn’t right either.   When I’m sitting at the table by myself, she will often remain there for as long as ten minutes.  You’re no doubt wondering why the length of stay.   Well, you’ll need to ask her about that; but for the time she resides next to me, I just talk to her.   I use to talk to my houseplants, but now, I’m into more “living creature discussions.”   To my delight she listens intently, cocking her head from side to side with a continuing steady gaze into my eyes. 

Since the writing of this “encounter story,” she now makes regular appearances from two to four times a day.  And what’s so surprising is she sometimes “announces her arrival” by making the Kookaburra laughing sound.  As soon as that hilarious sound proceeds from her tiny little lungs, I proceed with increased speed out to the patio to let her know that I’ve heard her call and that a tasty bit is about to come from our refrigerator and into her tummy.  

I understood that kookaburras make that peculiar sound when weather patterns change, or to let their other family members know where they are located in the trees.   However, to make that sound for me, tells me that we’re more than just friends.    And I couldn’t be happier about the new friendship.

Because it’s been five months since this feathered delight entered my yard and heart, I must update this story with new photos of her.  I’ve named her Kathy!   When she first began coming into our yard, I had no idea of her age.  Several people who had seen her told me she was quite young.  With the passing of time, I’ve realized they were quite accurate in their estimation.  I would guess she’s less than a year old.  Enjoy the photos at the end of this story.

Now, for protection mode, I’m not sharing with you my home address, because I don’t wish a visit from the “men in the white coats” escorting me to a new “personalized home cage.”  

This little feathery creature, along with her husband, are gifts from God for my enjoyment.  So I’m not concerned about what you think about our daily verbal exchange.  I’ve named the “feathered couple…..” Kenny and Kathy Kookaburra, and yes they do respond to my verbal invitations at my patio table.   Kenny came to our fence regularly for about 6 weeks and then decided to go elsewhere for his dining, but Kathy is my regular visitor.

It’s thrilling to see her respond to my quiet comments and questions in her direction.   The length of her visits are never the same.  The other day she arrived and ate out of my hands for about three minutes.  She began to flutter her wings and my assumption was that she’d be in takeoff mode.  But as I continued speaking to her she remained.  She would cock her wee head from side to side and then peer right into my eyes, listening intently to every syllable.  

Before her arrival I had my Bible and a couple devotional books placed on the table.  After our one-way conversation, she hopped onto the books and began looking outward towards the wooded area behind us.   She seemed to have no fear of my presence, thus her back was toward me.  This is a highly unusual behavior for any bird.  

I continued my dialogue in her direction (I think that means I was talking behind her back).    Another few minutes passed and when she had enough verbiage, she lifted herself up from the table and off she headed into the woods.   

Before you see the collage of updated photos, I wanted to share with you the thoughts God brought to me through my “wee friend.”   This all occurred on Mother’s Day.  I joked with a few friends that I wondered if my new “little one” would bring me a Mother’s Day card.    Of course, it was supposed to be a funny statement.

But God, in His tender and unique ways, spoke to my heart through the poised little feet standing on my Bible that afternoon.   When I first looked at her new position, I chuckled in my heart that she was now “standing on the Word of God.”

She perched herself on my devotional book and Bible. I’d call that “standing on the promises of God, wouldn’t you?”                          

It wasn’t until the following day that what had happened I realized was God “speaking to me through His creation.”  Yes, we are to “stand upon His Word…..to listen, learn and obey God’s instructions in “our lives” and “for our lives.”   God used my kookaburra to encourage me to remain “standing on God’s Word, His truth, for my life.”

As if to confirm my thoughts, this same day a friend in the United States sent me a text sharing precisely what God placed upon my heart concerning this “event.”  

Yes, God wants to speak “to us” and “through us” to encourage others to come to Him and give Him their lives; and then “walk with God throughout each day” along their earthly pilgrimage.  Then, in wonder, when we draw our last breath here, we’ll be ushered into His presence to see Him “face to face.”    He longs to communicate to us through His Word, the Bible, through our circumstances, through people, and in our inner spirit that He places within us.

Oh, that we would turn down the “volume of our lives” to hear Him, to listen and gasp in wonder that God would use all sorts of methods to tell us we’re loved incredibly by Him.

My friend’s text alerted me profoundly that God comes close and personal to nourish our hearts and enrich our souls.  Let’s pause to actively and more intentionally be alert to enjoy all of God’s creation. 

Enjoying His creation is giving Him glory and praise…..He is so deserving.   He feeds our souls and reveals Himself through His created world…..let’s take the time to marvel at it.

After reading all of this you are probably saying to yourself, “this gal has a wild imagination.”  So, to give you a photo delight and to defend my story details, I have attached a photo to share with your friends.  Enjoy my new little friend that God has bestowed upon my table and heart. Praise the Lord for His beautiful creation. And even more amazing…….that He shares it with us.

GOD DOES DELIGHT IN THE DETAILS OF OUR LIVES!

 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in

every detail of their lives.  Psalm 37:2                  

Before I share this tender-hearted story, I thought it best to introduce “pictorially” the wee sweetie I’m writing about.  Yes, it’s a true story of my all-season friend.   I’ve named her Anna.  It’s a most appropriate name because she is an Anna’s Hummingbird. 

Anna and I met about two years ago.  We had moved to Surrey, British Columbia and lived near the USA and Canadian border.  We hadn’t lived in our home long before I noticed the frequency of hummingbirds in the area. 

 One of the first boxes I unpacked was my yard box which contained my hummingbird feeder.   It didn’t take me long to prepare the dining cuisine of sugar and water (l part sugar to 4 parts water…in case you would care to join the buffet preparations for hummingbirds in your area) and locate just the right spot in our little yard. 

This newly placed feeder must have been hung in the flight path of the bird buffet line as it didn’t take a day for this Anna’s hummingbird to find a brand new source of nutrition for herself.  I made sure that in the warmer months, the feeder was cleaned and refilled with fresh liquid refreshment each week.

It was late spring when all this food attraction was placed in our yard.  My husband and I would enjoy a cup of tea or a latte early in the morning, and with the lovely morning sunshine, we enjoyed our cuppa while sitting out on the patio.  It wasn’t long before we’d notice a visitor.   She would announce her arrival with wee beeping chirps that hummingbirds make.  Just for the fun of it, I responded with similar sounds.    My imitation sounds weren’t the best, but this little hummer (as I called her), would respond and beep her chirps back to me.  My husband and I laughed and adored her presence as she partook of her morning “sweets.”

Throughout the day I found myself looking out to see if she was near the feeder.   Near the feeder???  Are you kidding, she was perched comfortably next door in a ten foot tree overlooking her new “in and out” diner.’ 

This time of year invited me outside often and I would indulge in a cup of tea or an iced tea and I would observe this little bird eating about ten times in an hour out of the feeder.   I couldn’t believe the liquid intake of such a tiny bird.  She is about 1 ½” long and simply adorable.  

This feeding frenzy went on for most of the summer and into the fall.   After that, I assumed she flew southward like most other birds.   Just this year when October came around, I noticed she was still eating regularly and so I keep doing the cleaning and refilling of the feeder, thinking that soon she would be heading south for the winter. 

I was wrong!   She decided to stay-it-out up north.  Things were going along as normal until the temperatures began to drop.  I phoned the Hummingbird Society in Arizona and checked the internet to see how I could provide a winter diet for this gorgeous fine-feathered friend.

Now before I continue you must promise me that you won’t turn me in to the “men in the white coats.”    They know about me already, and are not interested.   I’m simply beyond their help.

I was instructed to make sure that the contents of the feeder did not freeze.   This moved me to my next purchase which was another hummingbird feeder.   Yes, now I have two.  One is to be placed out early in the morning, after the sun comes up.   The other feeder remains inside (where it can be room temperature).   If it’s really cold and the contents of the outside feeder are beginning to form ice, I bring it inside and put out the other feeder.   This way there is no problem of freezing the liquid food.

An idea came to me via the internet to aid keeping the feeder warmer.   I had a pair of fuzzy socks.  I took the socks and cut off the toe part and then placed both socks over the first feeder I put outside in the morning.   This discovery proved to be a wonderful solution.   Even at 25 degrees during the daytime, the feeder would not freeze.

To be honest, I wondered if this bird would be nervous about a new item on the food buffet being gift wrapped with socks.   The following morning I placed the “new little diner” on the hook.  No problem … she got stuck right into the food.   There is nothing wrong with her appetite.

It’s winter for sure, so maybe I’ve been inside too long, but I had another idea.   On the wrought iron fencing around our raised patio I place stringed Christmas lights…the real tiny ones.   I also moved the feeder to just right outside our back door.    This little gal LOVES HER BUFFET selection, so I knew she wouldn’t be bothered that I moved it a little closer so we could see her in action more clearly.   It also was hung in a safe environment away from any predator and shown beautifully in the winter sunshine.

What I haven’t disclosed is that I was secretly wondering if she would enjoy the Christmas lights.   No, not to view, but to sit around and be warmed by the lights.   By now, you might be considering the men in the white coats again, but I can assure you that my sanity is just fine. 

Just the other day I kept looking out to see where in the world she had disappeared to.    There were two feeders for selection in the yard, one by the fence about 30 feet from our back door, and the other just 1 ½ feet from the door.   I kept looking at both feeders and she was nowhere to be found.

As my eyes jumped from one feeder to the other, I neglected to see the obvious.   She was now perched ON TOP OF A CHRISTMAS LIGHT!    Yes, you’re reading correctly.   Then she moved to arrange herself in the middle of about six lights.  This was keeping her warm.  She simply had to lift herself away from the lights and fly only a foot and a half to her feeder and back again.  She has this new feeding arrangement down to an art.

With close observation, I’ve found her daily routine to be the following:  

–        Arrival at her tree perch between 7:45 – 8:00 am

–        Glance over to see the Christmas lights in the “on” position

–        She fluffs her feathers and continue glancing to the buffet

          chef (located inside)

–        When the chef notices her arrival, she comes outside with the dining cuisine container, topped off with warm socks

–        Chef returns to place the second feeder by the fence (this feeder is right across from “Anna’s” tree limb)

–        As the chef (that’s me) leaves the feeders, she calls out “Anna” and makes wee hissing sounds to notify Anna that breakfast is now being served in the main dining areas

–        Anna responds back to the chef with her wee sounds…as if      to say thank you

–        Chef enters the house to go undercover for the day

–        About 10 minutes later, Anna flies over for several sips of delight

–        About 9:00 am Anna decides to perch on a “Christmas light” which keeps her warm.  Sometimes she tires of that one location and then moves to the center of about 6 lights….where she’s very toasty for the day.  Sometimes she adds a little exercise to her routine and swings on the light cord that dangles in mid-air

–        At 4:25 pm she exits her Christmas light, heads for the closest feeder and drinks for about a full minute to stock up for the night to go into her torpor state.

Then…….she takes off for the entire night in a local tree and goes into torpor state where the body reduces to a very low temperature.   The nourishment that she’s had all day, and especially at the 4:25 feeding provides enough warmth for the tree trip and to cuddle down for the night.  This same routine begins every morning. 

I know this is a blow-by-blow detail, but it’s incredible how God has not only designed this little sweetie, but placed within her the ability to reduce her body temperature so low, then come alive and alert the following morning.  How great is the majesty of God, the Creator of all things, Who goes to this tiny detailed extent, to display His creative touch not only in our world, but in our lives as well.  If we would just “invite Him into our life.”  What a difference He longs to make in each of us if we would just “invite Him into our life.”

This isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of realizing that little things we do can make a “great impact” on another, regardless of their size, nationality, color or design. 

We cannot help everyone, or touch the life of thousands, but God designed each of us to come to know Him, our Creator, and then be used by Him in meaningful and personal ways to make a difference in the life of another.

This little feathered friend has brought to “light” that I can’t help or make a difference in the life of everyone…….but, I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ONE!

Each day, let’s ask God to help us be alert to the “one” that He would have us encourage, help, show a kindness to, or listen to.  You never know, we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our world.

I couldn’t help but show another photo of little Anna.  Look close under her lower tummy, you’ll see a tiny Christmas light.

The Christmas light is right under her lower tummy just above her tail!  

                                         

This little tea party took place in Southern California.   We had moved from Washington State to Ventura, California.   Everything was new again:  a new home, a new neighborhood, and a new church.  I’ve moved enough to know that those first few months in a new location can bring on some depression and sadness.     Most of this can be quite normal when you’ve been uprooted from one home to another, and for a time you can be emotionally “fragile.”

My husband went off to work, and as I looked around at the collage of boxes waiting to be opened, I felt overwhelmed.   For me, that’s the time to put first things first.   It’s time to pull away, grab my Bible and a cup of tea, and have a mini retreat.   Goodness knows I had a wide variety of things to chat over with Jesus.

The stack of “things to do” was so overwhelming that the landscape of my vision was blurred.  I needed to “sit with my Savior” and have my heart and eyes readjusted for all this newness and period of transition. 

If you have walked with the Savior for any length of time, you have probably come to a point where occasionally He seems distant and unconcerned with what you’re experiencing in life.   It may seem and feel that way, but He is as close to us as our heartbeat.   But, we need to choose to look for Him, regardless of our emotional status. 

Being quiet can be difficult sometimes, can’t it!   But it’s oh so necessary if we want our emotional equilibrium to be adjusted to “steady.”

To be completely honest, I was lonely.   I chose a comfortable chair in our family room.   It was at the far end of the room by a large window.   This area of the room was cozy, and I had arranged the two chairs to face each other with a glass end table at an angle in between.   It isn’t critical that you see this arrangement, but it provided a lovely setting for two people to chat.

I settled my body into one of the chairs and discovered that I had neglected to make myself a cup of tea.   Moments later the tea kettle was boiling and the thought dawned on me.   I’m alone, I feel alone, but I’m not really alone … Jesus is with me.    The sweetest thought popped into my mind, I’ll make two cups of tea.   One for me and one for Jesus.  

Yes, I located two nice china tea cups, made two cups of tea, and paraded them over to where I’d be sitting.   The presence of the “other cup of tea” was a VIVID reminder that I wasn’t alone. 

Time passed, and as I read God’s Word and had a long chat about my new experience, my new location, and wondered what new plans would God have in store for my husband and I. 

When I’ve shared this with others, they often ask … was the cup of liquid tea still in the cup?  Of course it was!  But the fact that the tea was still present didn’t discourage the fact that Jesus was “very present” with me.    But the placement of the tea cup for Him brought the reality to me that morning that even though we can’t see Him with our visible eyes, we can see Him with our inner Spiritual eyes, and know in our heart He wouldn’t leave us for a moment.   And seeing the tea cup brought that reality alive for me that morning.

Just recently I was sharing this event with a lovely young woman named Alysia.   We were both enjoying a cup of tea on the back patio together sharing stories of our encounters with our Savior.

This young woman just oozed with the Savior’s joy and delight.       

Time passed, and off she went to be with some other friends for the evening.  This was on a Friday afternoon. 

On Sunday as I returned from church, I went out to the back patio to open the awning as it was a very warm, sunny day.   Then … there it was … a new TEA CUP placed in the center of the patio table with this message on a wee note above the cup:

“Having tea with my sweet Dianne.   Jesus”

My heart stopped and my eyes got enlarged.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.    It was as though Jesus stopped by and left me a note to say He had been there to see me and enjoy tea.

Who in the world knew about my teacup episode that happened years earlier?   It was this Alysia…..it had to be her.   I phoned her immediately to confirm my suspicions of the precious delivery she had made when I was at church.   She had to drive at least 20 minutes to get this cup to me.  

What a beautiful reminder it is of the memory of having made an extra cup of tea for Him years ago.  

This young woman’s thoughtfulness resurrected the beautiful memory of the past.   The next time you feel a bit lonely, make two cups of tea for your heart’s pleasure.

If you’ve ever been a caregiver, you may have experienced a taste of the draining emotional environment in which I resided for almost three years.    When you have steady responsibilities for someone’s care, you seldom have time for any social outing.

My personality is such that I love having people around me, their presence is a welcome treat.   God knows that we need people to love us in practical ways.    A favorite phrase from Scripture that encapsulates where my heartbeat is this, that God works in us to “will and to do” His will and pleasure.     When He works His work in His people, and they express His nature and care to another, recipients experience JOY!    Pure joy!

For weeks at a time, I would be alone at home with my precious Mother.   She would enjoy reading, and watching television programs and chatting with her friends on the phone.   I loved hearing her laughter throughout our home.    

This day was an ordinary day…….until our doorbell rang.    Two people from our church stopped by to say hello.   If you can visualize the strength of a vacuum hose sucking in debris, you have the accurate picture of my response to these two special people.  

I really didn’t know this couple very well.   We had often exchanged hellos and hugs at church, but that was the extent of our contact.   They had heard about my isolation at home and decided they would come for a little visit.  

We’ve probably all employed the phrase describing how we enjoy the presence of another person as a “breath of fresh air.”   To this day, I don’t think this couple had any idea what their presence meant to me on their first visit.  

It was as though God was breathing “divine oxygen” into my heart and soul.    This loving couple just wanted me to know they were thinking of me, and praying for my mother and me.    Their visits were a practical way on how to love-on another.  

They not only prayed for me in my care-giving role, they became like “God, with skin on” in my presence.   Sometimes in life, there just aren’t adequate words to describe the heart-felt compassion and emotional tenderness that is experienced when the presence of a friend shows up and lightens the atmosphere in where we live. 

This thoughtful couple in subsequent visits would stay for about an hour and a half and we would share a cup of tea together.   Their visit would stabilize and energize my heart with a tremendous amount of joy.   It was as though through this couple “God came near…..to visit me.”

This experience brings alive the reality that yes, our lives can express the presence of Jesus to others.    Let’s practice this often, in everyday living……realizing that if we have given our lives over to Jesus Christ’s lordship of our lives, we carry God’s presence in us, through the living Holy Spirit touching others with His love.  

I hadn’t seen this couple for a few years, but just the other day I saw this couple again.    I found myself trying to share with them, again, how meaningful their many visits in our home meant to me…………..but there just aren’t words to describe when the “love of God comes near.”

“PEOPLE MAY FORGET WHAT WE TEACH, BUT THEY’LL NEVER FORGET HOW WE MADE THEM FEEL.” William Buechner

Oh that we would ask God regularly to show us who He would have us visit, either personally, or perhaps just across the telephone wires or via a little note….so that they can experience the “touch of the Lord in the arena of their life.”

“The heroes of the faith had one thing in common:  They were all ordinary people with no power of their own.  The difference is the mighty presence of God.   Times may change, but the effect of God’s presence remains the same.” Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

During our short lives, God orchestrates many cameo appearances of people who walk in and out of our lives.  Often our interactions are brief, and we can’t connect with everyone, but we can make a difference in the lives of a few.

Each interaction allows for laughter, hope, care, love and a listening ear.

It’s funny how ideas and promptings come to us, and it is not uncommon to be reluctant to implement them.  My heart and mind have been drawn to “practical little ways” to interact with someone – let them know that I was thinking of them.  It is these ideas that become the “shoe leather” of our walk.

Like me, have you wondered if someone is thinking of you during their day?  This is a big world and people are busy with their own lives and responsibilities.  However, it’s critical to occasionally let others know that they are important to us.

So, how will they know we’re thinking of them and their welfare if we never phone them?

If we’re alert and perceptive, we can see a blessing being displayed and distributed person to person.  On occasion I have put God’s blessings into framed categories to better identify where to look for them. 

There’s an art and challenge in developing that practice because God’s ways are not our ways.  He shows up in the most surprising ways and incredible places.

His touches of love, kindness, thoughtfulness, care, comfort and provision, explode in the most “practical of settings” which most of us miss if we aren’t looking for them.

How often do we often attribute a sunrise, sunset, rainfall or gently falling snow to just the weather!  Or perhaps a hummingbird, butterfly or a bee circling and cuddling a flower and call it nature.

Those familiar with the Bible and many of the historical events mentioned therein, we can recall specific events like the parting of the Red Sea which were HUGE.  However God still intervenes and touches lives in what may appear tiny but are actually huge!

In our everyday practical living, we can easily miss many opportunities to either “see” or “be” a blessing simply because we don’t pause and consider that God is at work.

I think God wants to lead us into adventures of blessing others, but we often don’t recognize it at first glance.  I’m glad He’s into repeating things, aren’t you, because I seldom catch on the first time.

I observed many lovely qualities in my Mother.  She has gone “home to heaven;” but her passion for outreach is etched in my memory.  Though she felt her life was quite ordinary, and appeared so – on the surface. 

Soon after marriage, we moved away – far away – to a different country – Canada.  The very cold winters in Calgary were ideal for homesickness to set in.  But every week God warmed my heart through my “mailbox!”  My Mother wrote me a letter once a week  for 30 years – to let me know she was thinking of me.

You may think I’m foolish, but I have kept all those letters as a visual reminder of God’s tenderness to my heart and life.

When was the last time you wrote someone to let them know they were “special to you?”

Mom’s letters were a powerful example of how God uses us in simplicity to touch the lives of others.  Yes, I enjoy email, and the internet can be very helpful, but I still yearn for a personal touch – a hand-written note saying, “I’m thinking of you.”

When considering simplicity, I’m grateful how God used Alexander Graham Bell to bless others.  If you’ve never read about Bell’s life, you would be amazed at how the telephone was invented.

My Dad loved to grocery shop.  He knew nearly all of the prices of the items in their local supermarket and their specific shelf location.  His friend, Stanley, would pick up my Dad almost every morning and they would drive to the large grocery store nearby.

This daily routine provided exercise for their legs, heart and billfolds.  They knew all the names of the cashiers as well.  They turned their excursions into family gatherings.

Stanley’s wife had died many years earlier, and he felt quite alone.  The “grocery runs” with my father became a weekly social pattern.  What impressed me was that my Mother would phone Stanley “every morning.”

It wasn’t to arrange for a pickup of my Dad, but just to say “hello,” and see how he was doing each morning, or perhaps inquire as to what he had for dinner the prior evening.  My Mother would phone Stanley every morning, and she had so faithfully for over 25 years – even after my Dad died.

In 2006 due to health challenges, my Mother came to live with us in Washington State.  We had pre-arranged for an Ohio phone number to be incorporated into our phone line so she could conveniently call her friends in Ohio – including this “friend of my Dad’s” every morning for almost three years.

During this time, it was my delight to care for my Mother in my home, and I continued to see her exercise this “touching outreach” to my Dad’s friend who was alone. 

While caring for my Mother, my energy and focus was limited to my home and all its responsibilities.  There were many times I felt a bit lonely, but God used my Mother’s pattern for reaching out and touching others to spur me on to a new outreach. 

Her legacy was about to begin a new journey for me.  The morning that my Mom went “home to be with Jesus” was the first morning that I began to phone Stanley myself.  My calls to this dear man went on for another four years.

The morning before he died, I was able to pray with him on the phone.  The telephone had become a “touching tool of outreach.”

In those times of being alone, God helped me see that I could be a source of love and joy to another, simply by phoning people every day just to say hello and check in on them.  My calls seldom go beyond 5 minutes.

God introduced many others to me whom I felt that He wanted me to begin regularly contacting by phone.  Some were caregivers, widows or widowers, or –singles facing medical or physical challenges, or simply someone who was alone.

These calls have brought me joy as I entered their lives through the telephone.

Many of friends, with whom I would connect, have gone home to heaven, and I miss them terribly.  But every year God continues to give me one or two new people to phone daily – just to say hello and ask about their lives, and how to pray for them.

I’ve found it profoundly meaningful to “forget about myself,” and to invest just a few minutes each day enjoying people and letting them know that they are loved and thought about.  Yes, each one has been, and continues to be a “treasure.”

Do you know someone that has perhaps lost a loved one, and is alone a lot and needs a tender touch via your cell phone?  Let’s update our “contact lists” with those to whom God leads us to touch on a regular basis.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

One of my greatest joys was being a care-giver for my precious Mom.   After I married my husband and I moved to Canada.   It was never my privilege of living in close proximity to my parents.  We were always 2,000 plus miles away.  Due to my husband’s travel over the years, he accrued many air miles which came in handy when I would make trips back to Ohio to visit my parents.   I loved visiting and being of help to them.

Years later, I experienced a difficult and emotional season after my Dad suffered a severe stroke.  Eleven days later, he moved to heaven; and Mom began the journey of living on her own.   This was her wish at the time; but then two years later she began having serious health challenges.  It was at this time we invited her to come and live with us.  What a joy and privilege that was for us, and she was happy and relieved that she wouldn’t need to live alone.

God used my dear Mom as an example to me about loving others in “practical ways.”   Over the years I observed her daily routine of phoning her own mother just to check in on her.   There was a time when we lived overseas and those daily calls weren’t possible for her, but she wrote her mother once a week, without fail.    In fact for about 31 years, my Mother wrote me a letter once a week, without fail….just to say hello “in writing.”  

Let me insert here that I enjoy using email like most people; but to be very honest, I miss “real mail.”  You know, the envelopes that appear in your personal mail box with a “handwritten note” tucked inside.   Oh, let’s introduce that back into the marketplace and written on our personal agenda. 

My growing up years included many “moving adjustments.”   Dad was in the service and we moved every two years or so.  After my Dad’s retirement, our family settled in one place and they soon began to meet and enjoy longer-lasting neighbors.  My Mom always enjoyed baking and sharing her homemade goodies with a variety of her friends on her street.

She was a proficient in baker and instituted a routine of always sharing her baked good with the garbage collector (lovingly referred to as their personal Sanitation Engineer).   Each week, my folks would wait at their front window until his truck made his turn around to their corner.  This trusted man would bring in their garbage cans after they were emptied, and place them next to the garage.   His next turn would be to head to their front door to receive a small package of “baked goodies,” hand-prepared by my Mom.

My Mom’s baking skills kept expanding.  When my Father stopped driving his car, a neighbor friend who lived only a short distance away would come over almost every morning to transport Dad to their local grocery where the two of them would parade up and down the supermarket aisles.   They memorized most of the grocery prices as a result of their frequent travel trips throughout the stores.

This lovely neighbor became a wonderful friend over the years.  His wife had passed away, and he so felt lost for a long time, but he continued to rendezvous with my Dad and make the daily trips to the grocery, or post office, or wherever either of them needed to make an errand-journey.

I hadn’t noticed it at first, but whenever I would go to visit I observed that every morning my Mother would phone this man.   He lived just a 3 minute drive from my parents’ home, but my Mom would phone this man every single morning “just to say hello” and see how he was doing.    Whenever he’d come by in the car, my Dad would be sent out with a homemade treat for him and then off they would head for an excursion to a local supermarket.

This went on for over fifteen years.  You know in life, I think more is “caught…than taught.”   Her daily example of this “practical love” was incredible.    It all began by observing her call to this man.   Her conversations weren’t long, perhaps only 5 minutes or less.   But when I asked why she did that, she responded by saying, “I just wanted to check up on him because he was alone.”

God used “her pattern of loving” to help me catch a glimpse of God’s heart for others, especially those who are alone, or are going through a difficult time.   We’ve all been there, or we will walk that path one day.

Years later when she came to live with us, due to health issues, most all of my time in many ways was caring for her needs.   Due to my husband’s job, he was required to be away from home Monday through Thursdays, so in my care-giving role, I was alone.

Even though my Mom was now living in our home which was over 2,000 miles from her neighbor friend, she continued to phone him daily.    Again, her life was speaking volumes on how to look out from ‘your life’ into the ‘life of another.’

The Lord was about to introduce me to a “quiet ministry” to others.   I refer to it as “Care Calling!”   It’s not a well-known or advertised ministry, but I know from experience the emotional oxygen and encouragement that was infused within me when I would receive a caring call when I was alone in caring for my Mom.  

The Lord brought two lovely women into my life to help me with my needs.  Bless them both.  I am so grateful for their practical, and especially their emotional support.   These two women would either call or come over every week just for a visit.

Being alone so much, I came to realize the value of a phone call. 

When my dear Mom moved to heaven my “care calling clientele” emerged.  I took up the task and began to phone this neighbor friend of both of my parents whom she had phoned daily for years.   Once I started, I couldn’t stop.    He shared with me many times how he looked forward to those morning or evening calls.  

Often it is only if you’ve experienced what it means to give continued care to someone you love, that you can understand the emotional pain, separation, and underlying stress and concern in this loving journey of care.   You want to care for them because of your immense love for them.  In some cases a care-giver is seldom able to leave home, because of the responsibility, care and concern for their loved one.

My husband and I had been friends with a lovely man for over twenty years; but it was only when he began his care-giver role of his wife, did our daily call routine emerge.  Our hearts began to knit more closely together as we shared his daily journey through our phone calls.   Sometimes I would phone in the morning, or in the evening, and we’d talk about what we prepared for dinner or lunch and discuss the happenings of our day….the good, the bad and the hard things.

We both agreed that it was like a life-line of support for one another.   These daily calls went on for years.   But the day came when he became ill and he was placed in Hospice Care.   He was not a believer all those years, but I would gently share my faith.   I am convinced that it’s our “life of loving them” and “prayer” that opens the door to share our faith with others.   It’s much easier to talk about the gospel, than to “be the gospel.”    But when our lips and life are somewhat parallel, the Lord opens many doors of opportunity.

I’ll need to wait until the Lord calls me home to see the reality of all that went on in that last conversation.   To my knowledge, I was his only friend that knew Jesus Christ, and I introduced him to His new-found Savior.

There will always be “goodbye” days, and they are so hard.  This new goodbye would be especially difficult because he was the friend who was the care-giver for his wife.   He had cancer and was in the hospital and not doing well.  I phoned the hospital for my daily “hellos” to him. 

It was unknown at the time I phoned, but this last call would be on his last day on earth.   His daughter answered the phone and    I requested to speak to him.   He was unable to return any words to me, but I shared with Him that this was indeed a good time to surrender his life to Christ. 

I prayed for him on the phone and his daughter said he nodded his head in agreement.   I had shared gently, cautiously and lovingly about our need for a Savior for a good number of years, and He knew that my husband and I both loved him and was concerned for his soul.  

Just two weeks prior to his being hospitalized, my husband was able to share with him how the Lord, in answer to prayer, had spared his life….waiting for him to respond to God’s call on his life, and wanting to save him and bring him into His presence.

There’s a lovely verse in the Scriptures where it says that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:21

When these two “telephone friendships” ended, my heart felt a tremendous void.   Our conversations seldom lasted more than five or ten minutes at the most; but the personal and emotional void was ever present.

I feel there have been so many times when the Lord was sharing His heart with me about others, but I missed it.    I usually came up with the idea that I had to do BIG THINGS for God.  But God isn’t looking for the big things; He yearns that we tune in to His heartbeat for people in the LITTLE THINGS….that can be HUGE in another person’s arena of life.

Soon God was about to introduce me to His next significant Care Client.   This was a precious woman who used to team up with me and some other lovely friends in hosting a weekly Bible Study.   My friend felt it was an honor to make tea and coffee every week for the ladies.  Her face and heart seemed to glow as she prepared the liquid refreshment every week for the ladies attending the study.

Some weeks earlier I had learned of the “home-going” of her husband of over fifty years.    The Lord planted within me the desire to begin phoning her every morning or evening.   You can just imagine the “rest of the story.”    We spoke every day for over a two year period.

Yes, again the pain of the loss of another daily friend began to emerge.    Each of these people were my TREASURES!  They still are.

I feel like a very rich person…..because God has continued to bring a good number of people along my path to interact with day-by-day, until He calls them home.

It’s not a popular ministry, but it’s a “quiet and powerful ministry” to purposely involve myself in their lives, their hurts, their prayer concerns, their joys and their very personal fears.

There was a wonderful book I read after my Mom ‘went Home’ to be with Jesus that gave voice to my emotions within.   I recommend it highly.   It’s called, “May I Walk You Home.”   The author is Melody Rossi.

We all need others to hold us, talk with us, love us, listen to us, pray with us…….people that God could use to walk others Home!

May I suggest that you talk with God and inquire from Him who He might want to place on your “care calling” heart.   Just a three minute call every day, or even just a couple times a week to phone and just “check in to say hello.”   You’ll never know until eternity how critical your calls will be.

Yes, you can phone me anytime!

Is your imagination getting the best of your curiosity?  This little vignette is from when we lived in a condo, and our unit was just steps from the trash bin room.  I wouldn’t admit to being a dumpster diva, but for the record, I did keep a vigilant eye on a regular routine looking for “treasures” that people would part with and deposit in that room.    I was shocked at the nice things people were throwing away.

Some of the things were like new, and from other stories you’ve read you’ll know by now that many of these precious finds went on to my street friends. I’m not going to fill you in on all the many items I transferred from the trash room in our condo, but there is one that is worth sharing.   You guessed it, the like “new” portable commode. 

When my husband came home from work that evening, I had conveniently left it parked in the foyer of our little condo.   My purpose in leaving it there was to sanitize it, and then explode with enthusiasm as my thoughts contemplated its future potential. My husband wasn’t as keen on its potential as I was, but it was so detailed in its design (and I won’t elaborate on that either), and it would be such a help to someone, sometime, somewhere. 

Our condo was so small, we had to take it downstairs to our 4’ x 6’ storage area.   My poor husband could not help but share his disgust all the way down the elevator and hallway, and then having to put this “thing” in our storage area for everyone to see.   Our storage area was so full, that we just had to toss it up on top of the other boxes and hope for the best. 

Months and months went by without a need.  Then, the day came.  We had a lovely neighbor many doors down the hall, who had fallen down a flight of stairs.   She was still in agony – having just returned to her condo after staying in the hospital for days.  Her husband was out of town, and she had a friend come to stay with her until he was able to return home from a business trip. We had heard about her fall and her condition and so I contacted her friend in the afternoon, and went over that evening to visit her with a casserole in hand.   

My neighbor shared her story and as she did, her needs began to unfold.    I looked around and thought about all she had shared with me.   There was one area of specific need … she could remain on only one floor.   How would she be able to get to a bathroom for “refreshment and the urgent” personal routine needs?   She told me that she needed her friend to be there all the time to be able to escort her up some steps to get to the bathroom.  It was a painful experience just trying to lift herself from step to step. 

Idea!  Idea!    The portable potty would be perfect for her needs for the coming months of healing.  YES, I said to myself.  I have the perfect solution.   I shared my thought and enthusiasm for a solution, and my neighbor sighed and cried with relief knowing I had such a portable helper.    It took me 15 minutes to locate the potty and bring it to her condo.   Being well designed it could adjust for any size, and height.  Isn’t that exciting?  I couldn’t wait until my husband came home from work to share the news. 

Yes, God can use anything to bless another’s’ life.   This “portable potty chair” opened up a number of discussions about Christ.  My neighbor just couldn’t be more pleased and relieved (good word here) that her needs were being met.    I also was able to share how I had been praying for her for months prior.   Tears of appreciation just rolled down her face.   She was a happy camper and God got the glory.