Did you ever get what you wanted even
before you asked for it? Have you ever been sitting in Church and the Pastor
spoke about your life, but you had never told him what you were going through?
Who would know what you are going through today when no one else does? How do
you know that its God?
Lets
look—In His Word!
Blessed be the
Lord for He has heard the voice of my supplications! Psalm 28:6
Julie awoke to the new day. The sun
was shining, and it would be a beautiful day outside, but inside her heart
Julie saw only clouds. She knew that today would be another drudgery. She would
go job searching, then to the food bank. Neither of which would be productive
but at least she could say she tried to feed her three young children. Reaching for the drab but clean cotton linen
dress with tiny little marigolds dancing over a pale-yellow background she
thought to herself, “I sure wish I had a better outfit to apply for this office
job in. I will be lucky if they don’t send me out thinking I am just looking
for a place to warm up with this old rag.” Tears brimming as she tucked her golden-brown
hair up in a loose bun and added a touch of makeup from the few dabs she had
left, Julie left the house newspaper in hand and notebook and folder holding
her resume under her arm.
Glancing
upwards she thought of the Bible verse she had heard spoken as a child.
Much bigger than taking care of a single
mother with three children who was desperately in need of a job to pay the
bills before she lost the small home her husband had left her with. At least she had that.
Glancing
around as she rode the city bus to her first interview she saw a man with s
sign. “Out of Work” It read, as he was begging for food or money. If all he did
was beg he would be out of work for a long time. She thought to herself. She
was going to be different; she knew somehow. She did not want to reduce herself
to begging. There had to be someway…
"Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8-9 .
The
day went on slowly as she went from one interview to the next, trying to ignore
the glances from employees and other interviewees, she smiled. God knew her
needs, He would take care of her. She
closed her eyes and tried not to think of those people, she would focus on
things she knew would make her calm and peaceful.
If
only she knew had a friend to turn to now. But there was no one. She did not
know what to do if she could not get a job today. Still Julie continued on her
trek and then headed home for the day.
There had been a couple of good possibilities. She would hear from them in the
morning if she got two of the jobs. That was encouraging at least.
Strolling
home from the bus stop she could hear her stomach growling. The apple she had
eaten for lunch did nothing to curb the hunger that had been there since
morning. Still, once she got home all she could do was fix a nice cup of black
coffee and relish the fact that she had that. The appointments had been longer
than she expected and the food-bank was closed when she had reached its doors.
“I
don’t know what I will do,” she said to herself, and glanced up towards the sky
again. “Lord thank you for the coffee I left in the pot this morning, at least
it will subside my hunger.” She rounded the corner to her home and thought she
would cry. There on her doorstep were not just one, but three or four bags of
groceries!
Moving
them out of the way Julie turned the screen knob and reached for her keys.
Looking up to insert the door key she was brought to tears and to her knees.
There on her door, hanging from the knocker was a note.
“Just thought you could use this, and to know
that I am praying for you. Love from, your Secret Friend.”
Through
the tears she removed the note and took three hangers from the handle. On the
hangers hung not just one, but three business type dresses and suits.
“How?”
She wondered aloud. “How did she know? I did not even ask God for the one
dress, and yet, He has provided three for me.” Julie turned the key in the lock
and entered her home, making three trips to bring everything in. Just as she
was about to close the screen she noticed two pair of shoes also sitting on the
porch.
“Thank
you God.” She smiled up at Him with a heart full of joy. Soon she would find
that everything she needed to fill her cupboard to last her until her first
paycheck would be in the bags she was carrying in. God had provided everything
she needed.
And if anyone
thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if
anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1
Corinthians 8:2-3 (nkjv)
Sometimes
we think that we know what is best for us. Like Julie, we tend to do with out
rather than bother someone, even if it is God, with our needs. Everyone has someone
who is an ever present help, and always eager to listen to our hearts cry.
Jesus is waiting to listen to you today. Have you really opened up to Him
lately? Sure, He knows your heart, but He is waiting to hear you admit that you
need help.
"The Lord knows those who are
His," 2 Tim 2:19 (nkjv)
You
may be a silent server, someone who does not speak out for Christ, but He knows
your heart. Take time today to listen to His leading, someone out there in your
world, where you work or play, needs an extra blessing today? If not you, then
who? You may be the only connection to God this person will ever have, and it
may be time for you to speak up, or to spread His love by lending an ear to
someone’s hearts cries.
This week I want us to listen to His voice, to take time to know if someone out there needs us to help them in someway. Maybe it will be a simple note to say, “I am praying for you”.
Or
maybe it will be a load of groceries slipped on a doorstep. There are so many
around us in need, but they are specific needs for each person. Lets pay
attention to those around us and see if even in our own need that we can find
someone whom we can bless.
I have been hearing so many wonderful,
good deeds lately, and perhaps that is why I was thinking on God’s goodness
this morning.
"I tell
you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can
do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the
killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear
him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is
forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs
of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many
sparrows. Luke 12:4-9
Monday: 1 Timothy
1:1-17
Tuesday: Psalm 62
Wednesday: John
12:27-50
Thursday:
Galatians 5:16-6:10
Friday: Hebrews
4:1-13
Weekend readings: Psalms 127-131 (all of each
one they are really short).
In
His love,
Teresa
M. Wilson