A Surprise Package in the Mail

 

                It was not the common thing I find in my mailbox.  There amid the bills, letters, and circulars was a note from our mailman saying that I need to go to the post office to pick up and sign for an insured package.  When I picked up the package, I recognized the return address.  It was from a person who lives out of state. We  see her a couple of times of year, and talk to her about once a month.  When I opened the package, I could hardly believe my eyes.  Packed in that package covered with candy canes and ginger bread men was a Thanksgiving card and several hundred dollars in money.  I quickly picked up the phone and called her.  She told me that she wanted me to use that money to help those in need in our congregation and community this Christmas.   You will not find this woman in church on Sundays.  A matter of fact, she works most Sundays and attends church only a few times a year. Despite what this woman wasn't, she gave generously to help people in another state that she does not even know. 

            Cyrus, King of Persia, was not a follower of the Lord God.  Yet, God uses him.  In Isaiah 45:1,4, we read:  "Thus says the Lord, to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and ungird the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed.....For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by name, I surname you, though you do not know me."  God uses King Cyrus to set the Israelites in Babylonian exile free that they might return to their native land. 

            As God used Cyrus who did not know the Lord, so God used that woman and her gift to do His work and will.  That is an important reminder to us of two things.  First, it reminds me that if we are not willing as followers of the Lord to be his instruments, God will and can use someone else. Nothing can and will stop the purposes of God.  Secondly, the fact that God uses even those who do not know him is a reminder to us to be alert for the possibility that God may use unlikely people as his instruments in our own lives.     Think on these things.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 

PRAYER

            O God, we celebrate that you continue to be at work in the world in so many of ways and so many people.  Lord, help us to be alert for the ways you speak to me, and you can use me.  Help me, Lord, to be alert for the ways you touch my life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Pet Peeves

 

Pet peeves is a term I became acquainted with when I was in Mrs. Cox’s third grade class.   One day when a fellow student was at the blackboard working on a math problem that same student scraped their fingernails across the blackboard.  Though Mrs. Cox was a person of calm demeanor, she was not cool and calm then as she quickly told the student and the entire class that the scraping of nails on a blackboard was one of her pet peeves.  

- If you are like most people, you probably have some pet peeves or small things that irritate you.   Here are a few pet peeves I have:

·        - The person in the store or other places that utters “no problem” when I tell them “thank you” for an act of customer service

·        - The person on Facebook or in an email that makes no effort to make sure what they write has correct spelling and grammar

·         -The individual that is constantly tapping their pen or pencil on a table or another object

I am trying to focus less on the small things that irritate me (my pet peeves) and more on the small things that bless me.   Part of what I am discovering is that there are more blessings than  irritations in my life.   Here are a few small blessings that I have been reminded of in recent days:

·        - The fact that most everyday my wife, children, or grandchildren tell me or show me that they love me

·        - The wonder of the wildlife (e.g. birds, rabbits, etc.)  I see outside my window most everyday even though I do not live in a rural area

·         -The fact that everyday when it comes to food my question is “what will I eat?” instead of “will I have something to eat?” 

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker and Christian who helped many Jews escape the wrath of the Nazis in World War II.   In her book “The Hiding Place”, she writes about the time that she and her sister, Betsie, were in Nazi Concentration Camp and their barracks were infested with fleas.     As time went on, they began to thank God for the fleas because it meant that the Nazi soldiers did not bother them.  

Though I do not know your story, I know my story.   I can say with certainty that though there are little pet peeves that irritate me each day,  I can also say that I am mightily blessed in many ways each  day.  I invite you to make your list of the little blessings you know.   You know, little things do mean a lot.     Have a joy-filled week and God bless-  Pastor Randy Wall 

 

PRAYER:   Thank you, God, for the many small ways you bless me each and every day.   Give me a heart and spirit that sees it;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.