Good morning!
I would like to share with you an experience I had late last week when I went to Safeway to pick up a few items we needed at home. I stopped by the deli to get some cheese and the nice lady in front of me was taking her time asking about almost every item, sharing a story about how used to cook it or times that she served it. It was very sweet, but I have to be honest, at one point I became slightly irritated because my wait was extending to almost 10 minutes. It was hard to get angry, especially after she turned around, noticed I was there, smiled, and said in a sweet manner, "I'm so sorry I'm taking so long. I'll hurry up for you." My irritation was immediately lifted. I couldn't be irritated by such sweetness. I guess the old adage is true, "Kill them with kindness." :)
When it was finally my turn, the lady behind the deli counter wore a big smile, was very energetic, and very attentive to my needs. Before preparing my order of cheese, she asked if I wanted anything else. I told her no, but she asked if I wanted any deli meat. Again, I said no, understanding that she was trying to sell me something I didn't come in the store to get. She then offered me the "best ham she's ever tasted!". Yeah...right. She said, "While I'm slicing your cheese, I'll give you a free sample." I never turn down free food (unless I know I don't like it)!
She gave me a slice and my mouth sang praises to the fine pig that offered this delectable meat. I know there are others involved in making it taste so good, but the pig offered the ultimate sacrifice! The lady affirmed my experience with some more push to buy some. I hesitated (cause now I'm thinking this is pretty good!). She offered me another free sample and it was just as good as the first. By now, she was done with my order and she asked me again if I'd like any of that ham off the bone. I had three options here: 1) Stick to my guns and say no 2) Say yes and share the delicious experience with my family 3) See if she continues the pattern and gives me more samples. Since I'm not too devious when it comes to free samples, I took door number 2 and I bought a full pound (not cheap!).
I would have never bought that ham, nor experienced how good the product was, had the lady behind the counter not offered me free samples.
I think there is something we can learn from this experience as the church. We are called to offer free samples in every life situation we find ourselves in as we represent our God and offer the free gift of grace that has made us whole! Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
God offers us free samples of His love and grace in the mundane and the chaotic, the simple and the complex, the doubtful and the faithful experiences of life. His love is a free gift to us and when we accept it we do not have a corner on the market. It is not meant to flaunt to others. It is not meant to be stored up for our own use (for the times we really need God's mercy and forgiveness!). When we fully receive God's love and grace, we are to give it away. We have the joy of offering free samples!
Free samples to those who don't even know they would be blessed by it!
Free samples to those who have already determined they are going to say "No."
Free samples to those who have experienced it, but aren't sure if they are willing to "buy" it.
Free samples to those who have fully received it.
Free samples to those who feel called to share what they have with those they know and love!
Free samples. It's that simple.
In what ways will you offer free samples of God's love and grace to those in your circle of influence this week?
Holy God, thank You for Your free gift of grace. Thank you for restoring my life and offering me free daily samples that lead me to get the full-course meal from You! I want to freely share what You have offered. Give me the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the heart to feel for those who need a free sample in their life! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
When God Shows Up
Dear Friends,
I want to share with you an experience I had this morning that touched my soul deeply. My morning had been busy and I was getting ready to leave to pick up my daughter from school to take her to a doctor's appointment. I had gone outside to try and catch someone I had just met with and when I was rushing back inside (to get my keys to leave), a lady had just pulled up and she opened her door and she asked me if I had a moment.
In my haste, I said that I don't have long since I had to pick up my daughter. So, I stood by her open door as she sat in her car. At first I did not recognize her, but when I got closer I realized that I had visited with her once before about 1 1/2 years ago. It was our only interaction, totalling maybe 45 minutes. She had a smile on her face as she spoke and she recounted our brief interaction. She said that since we met, the Lord had laid it on her heart to pray for me and my ministry. She said that she likes to take long walks down to the park and that the Lord kept laying my name and our church on her heart. She wanted me to know that I, and the church, were being prayed for without even knowing it. She metioned that she prayed that our ministry would be dynamic and she had a sense that God wanted to do something great.
She confessed that she usually doesn't share like this with others, but she felt compelled to come by and share it with me...just so that I would know.
I was deeply touched by her words, her spirit, and her faithfulness to God's leading. It touched me to the core of my being that a sister in the faith, who did not know me or our church, was listening to the promptings of the Spirit and laying us before God. I was reminded of the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18 (I'll quote verses 11 and 18, but I encourage you to read the rest), "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing...Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
The Body is more than a group of people who gather together on Sunday mornings, or mid-week Bible studies, or weekly LIFE groups. The Body is the whole family of believers. We exist to honor God in the ways we encourage each other, pray for each other, and share our lives together...even if it comprises of two short interactions. Those interactions can change someone's day, someone's perspective, someone's life.
Today, God showed up in the form of a faithful lady whose name I do not even know...but whose faith touched me to the depths of my soul. I rejoice and give thanks and I pray that I will allow God to use me that way every day!!!
Loving God, thank you for the people You bring into our lives that put our lives back into perspective and who honor You with their faithful obedience to Your direction. Thank you for using them to turn our focus from worldly pursuits to spiritual pursuits. God, I want to be like that! I want people to see You through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I want to share with you an experience I had this morning that touched my soul deeply. My morning had been busy and I was getting ready to leave to pick up my daughter from school to take her to a doctor's appointment. I had gone outside to try and catch someone I had just met with and when I was rushing back inside (to get my keys to leave), a lady had just pulled up and she opened her door and she asked me if I had a moment.
In my haste, I said that I don't have long since I had to pick up my daughter. So, I stood by her open door as she sat in her car. At first I did not recognize her, but when I got closer I realized that I had visited with her once before about 1 1/2 years ago. It was our only interaction, totalling maybe 45 minutes. She had a smile on her face as she spoke and she recounted our brief interaction. She said that since we met, the Lord had laid it on her heart to pray for me and my ministry. She said that she likes to take long walks down to the park and that the Lord kept laying my name and our church on her heart. She wanted me to know that I, and the church, were being prayed for without even knowing it. She metioned that she prayed that our ministry would be dynamic and she had a sense that God wanted to do something great.
She confessed that she usually doesn't share like this with others, but she felt compelled to come by and share it with me...just so that I would know.
I was deeply touched by her words, her spirit, and her faithfulness to God's leading. It touched me to the core of my being that a sister in the faith, who did not know me or our church, was listening to the promptings of the Spirit and laying us before God. I was reminded of the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18 (I'll quote verses 11 and 18, but I encourage you to read the rest), "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing...Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
The Body is more than a group of people who gather together on Sunday mornings, or mid-week Bible studies, or weekly LIFE groups. The Body is the whole family of believers. We exist to honor God in the ways we encourage each other, pray for each other, and share our lives together...even if it comprises of two short interactions. Those interactions can change someone's day, someone's perspective, someone's life.
Today, God showed up in the form of a faithful lady whose name I do not even know...but whose faith touched me to the depths of my soul. I rejoice and give thanks and I pray that I will allow God to use me that way every day!!!
Loving God, thank you for the people You bring into our lives that put our lives back into perspective and who honor You with their faithful obedience to Your direction. Thank you for using them to turn our focus from worldly pursuits to spiritual pursuits. God, I want to be like that! I want people to see You through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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