LEAP OF FAITH

Trust the Lord with all your heart,

lean not onto your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5a RSV)

After taking my granddaughter to her dance class, I sat outside the dance studio in the corridor. I waited quietly on the outside, but my insides were in turmoil.

I’d been wrestling with a large unexpected bill that I felt my insurance should cover.  While waiting on their accountant to return my call, another invoice arrived. This invoice informed me the account was delinquent, and if not paid within 30 days, they would turn it over to a collection agency. All this within two weeks of my visit! (Grr-rrr!)

While I obsessed about money, I noticed two fathers chatting, their backs to a nearby walled-in enclosure of tumbling equipment, where their children played. As they talked, I noticed a little boy, about four years old, climbed up the four foot wall, and once on top, he leaped through the air onto his father’s back. The father instantly leaned forward and stretched his arms back, catching his boy, keeping him from tumbling to the floor.

What a leap of faith! The boy knew his daddy would catch him.

I thought about my money concern and decided I needed to take a leap of faith and count on the Lord to catch me, knowing He is my Provider. He will not let me fall.  I counted my blessings as I recalled the scripture.  “….unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NRSV) I thanked the Lord for letting a little child lead me.

Thank you, Lord, there is no issue too large or to small that you can’t handle. Amen

©2014 Lois Gosley

A Happy Valentine’s Day

I will sing for the one I love. Isaiah 5:1 (NIV).

As a single gal, dashboard dining is often my choice for a quick dinner after work. On those occasions, I stop at a convenience store and order a sub piled sky high with everything.

One evening while driving home with visions of extra pickles and hot peppers dancing in my head, and the car headed in the direction a convenience store, I stopped at the pharmacy first to buy a few things. I glided happily on into the store, but was suddenly struck . . . down!

The entire store was decorated for Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, red roses wrapped in cellophane, and fluffy white Teddy bears with “I love you” embroidered across their bellies.

I

t made me sad because no one would be giving me roses or chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Were all retail stores to be avoided for the next two months? No! I called out, “Jesus, will You be my Valentine?” In the depth of my soul, He answered, “Yes!” A comforting warmth swept over me like an embrace.

Jesus is the world’s perfect Valentine. He is our Rider on the white horse, and He’s already dressed up sharp for Valentine’s Day in His dazzling white.

Jesus, you are my Rose—my Red Rose—of Sharon. Pleasing is the fragrance of Your perfumes. Your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!

So here I am again parked in front of a convenience store with an Italian cold cut sub on my lap. And guess who’s in the passenger seat beside me?

Jesus, You are my Love, my perfect Valentine forever and ever! Amen.

©2014 Mary Logan

Lesson in Charity

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40b (NIV)

One day my daughter, Marie and I gathered our grocery ads and coupons and headed for the store. As we entered, a poorly dressed young man with sandals on his feet and a worn, dirty burlap robe, was sitting on the bench beside the exit door. His long, unkempt hair needed washed and cut. His face was gaunt and unshaven, hands scarred, his fingernails crusted with dirt. He wore a sad, hungry look on his face. My heart ached for him.

Marie grew concerned and asked me if he was a homeless person. "He could be," I said.

All during shopping, Marie talked about the homeless man. "Maybe he's hungry," she said. "Wonder where he sleeps? Do you think he has a family?"

Finally, I asked her what she thought Jesus would do if He were here today?

"He would feed him," she replied.

We went through the produce section to purchase fruit. I picked up two large bunches of grapes. We checked out, exiting the store. Marie was alert to everything I did. Stopping momentarily in front of the homeless man, I took one bunch of grapes and placed them in his hands.

"God bless you," I said.

He gave me a look of gratitude and answered in a low voice, "Thank you, Ma'am."

It was a "quick fix" but a good example for Marie.

Marie was happy. I was happy. It was a wonderful day.

Thank You, Father, for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate true Christian love by example. Amen.

(c) 21010 E. Bonnie Ryan