Psalm 103:1-2
With all my heart I praise the LORD, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! With all my heart I praise the LORD! I will never forget how kind he has been.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We all have experiences we will never forget...where we were on 9-11 (or if you are old enough, the day that President Kennedy was assassinated). Every January 28th, I’m reminded of the Space Shuttle Challenger that exploded in mid-air upon takeoff in 1986. Others will never forget experiencing a tornado, flood, earthquake, or some sort of natural disaster.
While we all can recall major events such as these with vivid detail, I bet you can also recall a kindness done toward you at some point in your life. Perhaps someone said something profound to you that you’ve never forgotten. Maybe you remember how somebody gave you a loan when you really needed one… or another person showed love and compassion toward you when you were really down and in need. Perhaps you’ve never forgotten a teacher who took special interest in you or someone in your church or community who nurtured you… an aunt, uncle, grandparent or friend who gave good advice and was always available when you needed them. Maybe a stranger helped you out of a real jam.
My math teacher, Mrs. Berry, took a special interest in me in junior high school. She really listened to me and showed concern for my feelings. I remember my guidance counselor, Mrs. Crabtree, who encouraged me when others said my plan to go to college early would never work! My freshman English professor, Francis Irby Gwaltney, nurtured me, taught me to write down my thoughts in a way that made sense… and declared that my new husband was “a keeper.” I will never forget Pastor Dooley Fowler, who sat with me on my Walk to Emmaus and reminded me that I had placed all of my burdens at the foot of the cross… and I needed to leave them there.
The point is that we could probably list a half dozen or more events that have affected us deeply – and at least a handful of people who have said or done something we will never forget (hopefully in a positive manner). We are forever changed because of these people and events. But do you realize that every kindness that has been shown to you by someone else was orchestrated by God? In essence, He was pouring out His kindness on you through the words and actions of others.
See, God is always “on the clock” on our behalf! So the things you say you will “never forget” that someone said to you – or did for you – were really kindnesses from God! There will be times in your life when you ask God for something… guidance, help, blessings, a specific outcome… and you feel His direct answer. Other times, He will answer and work through various individuals and events. But all of this combines to give us even more reason to praise Him with our whole heart.
I encourage you to write down a list of kindnesses that have occurred in your life… even those you feel you will “never forget.” The next time you are tempted to question God… the next time you wonder where He is hiding or start to feel sorry for yourself, take out the list and read over them. Remind yourself of the many ways God has shown you kindness in the past… and be assured He has more to offer. Thank Him for all of this… praise Him with your whole heart… and never forget how much He loves you – now and forever!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label who we. Show all posts
Showing posts with label who we. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 22, 2011
John 3:34-36
"The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was a child, the annual Old Soldiers Reunion was a huge deal in our town. Held the first weekend of August, the event is still celebrated today, but with much less fanfare than before. In my “day,” we had a parade on Thursday, complete with floats, bands, horses, and the beauty contestants who would participate in that evening’s “Miss Cleburne County” pageant. On Friday, there was a “kiddie parade,” which was filled with children who were riding on floats, peddling bicycles and tricycles decorated with crepe paper, and more bands and ponies.
One year, my sister and I rode in a float that resembled a big shoe with a giant Panama hat for our “roof” – we were “Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces”… a reference to a song popular in the early 1960s. Another year, we rode in a buggy pulled by my aunt’s pony, Tuffy. One year we dressed my cousin as Mickey Mouse, and he pedaled his tricycle... and my mom says that my brother peddled his toy tractor one year dressed as “Farmer Brown.”
The parade on Friday showcased contestants in that evening’s “Little Miss Cleburne County” pageant. As fun and exciting as these parades were, there was an even more exciting component to the Friday pageant. It was a rite of passage for every five-year-old girl in the area to participate in this event. We practiced in hooped petticoats that gave us a “feel” for our overly poufy evening gowns made from taffeta and netting. We rehearsed our talents. And we traveled downtown to a store front on Main Street to review the “loot” that would be presented to the winners. The prizes were extensive… toys, dolls, games, and even a U.S. Savings Bond… all waiting for the queen and her first and second runners-up. You didn’t have to pick one prize… you got them all. For a five-year-old child, this was a “lavish distribution of gifts.”
Now that I am grown, I see that this was really quite ridiculous. As many as twenty or more little girls “competed” in this annual ritual… yet only three were awarded prizes. And lest you think I have “sour grapes,” I must tell that you I won in 1962… cardboard glitter crown, prizes, and all. When we returned home after the pageant, my extended family gathered to celebrate, and I was given money by most of them. The “gifting” continued… and the following year it was much the same for my sister. Still, I think of those equally cute and talented little girls who participated with us. How must they have felt afterward? What must it have been like to see all of that loot in the store windows and know you wouldn’t be getting it?
The Good News of Jesus Christ is that all who believe in Him are winners. Each and every one of us can have the “lavish distribution of gifts” that God has prepared. Not a single one of us needs to be disappointed. Nobody has to feel left out or less than First Place in God’s eyes. Do we have to win a contest to attain this? Do we have to have the best talent or walk better in our fancy clothing? Absolutely not! All we have to do is accept Jesus and trust in Him.
You may win the lottery, beauty contests, sweepstakes, and other competitions. But you will never win anything else as big as what God is offering. There is no entry fee or practice… acceptance and trust are all that He requires. Nothing could be easier to accomplish… and more vital to your eternal future. I don’t know if your prizes will include a cardboard crown with glitter…or even a parade… but I know that you don’t want to miss this! Have you chosen to participate and receive the extravagance of the Holy Spirit? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
"The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was a child, the annual Old Soldiers Reunion was a huge deal in our town. Held the first weekend of August, the event is still celebrated today, but with much less fanfare than before. In my “day,” we had a parade on Thursday, complete with floats, bands, horses, and the beauty contestants who would participate in that evening’s “Miss Cleburne County” pageant. On Friday, there was a “kiddie parade,” which was filled with children who were riding on floats, peddling bicycles and tricycles decorated with crepe paper, and more bands and ponies.
One year, my sister and I rode in a float that resembled a big shoe with a giant Panama hat for our “roof” – we were “Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces”… a reference to a song popular in the early 1960s. Another year, we rode in a buggy pulled by my aunt’s pony, Tuffy. One year we dressed my cousin as Mickey Mouse, and he pedaled his tricycle... and my mom says that my brother peddled his toy tractor one year dressed as “Farmer Brown.”
The parade on Friday showcased contestants in that evening’s “Little Miss Cleburne County” pageant. As fun and exciting as these parades were, there was an even more exciting component to the Friday pageant. It was a rite of passage for every five-year-old girl in the area to participate in this event. We practiced in hooped petticoats that gave us a “feel” for our overly poufy evening gowns made from taffeta and netting. We rehearsed our talents. And we traveled downtown to a store front on Main Street to review the “loot” that would be presented to the winners. The prizes were extensive… toys, dolls, games, and even a U.S. Savings Bond… all waiting for the queen and her first and second runners-up. You didn’t have to pick one prize… you got them all. For a five-year-old child, this was a “lavish distribution of gifts.”
Now that I am grown, I see that this was really quite ridiculous. As many as twenty or more little girls “competed” in this annual ritual… yet only three were awarded prizes. And lest you think I have “sour grapes,” I must tell that you I won in 1962… cardboard glitter crown, prizes, and all. When we returned home after the pageant, my extended family gathered to celebrate, and I was given money by most of them. The “gifting” continued… and the following year it was much the same for my sister. Still, I think of those equally cute and talented little girls who participated with us. How must they have felt afterward? What must it have been like to see all of that loot in the store windows and know you wouldn’t be getting it?
The Good News of Jesus Christ is that all who believe in Him are winners. Each and every one of us can have the “lavish distribution of gifts” that God has prepared. Not a single one of us needs to be disappointed. Nobody has to feel left out or less than First Place in God’s eyes. Do we have to win a contest to attain this? Do we have to have the best talent or walk better in our fancy clothing? Absolutely not! All we have to do is accept Jesus and trust in Him.
You may win the lottery, beauty contests, sweepstakes, and other competitions. But you will never win anything else as big as what God is offering. There is no entry fee or practice… acceptance and trust are all that He requires. Nothing could be easier to accomplish… and more vital to your eternal future. I don’t know if your prizes will include a cardboard crown with glitter…or even a parade… but I know that you don’t want to miss this! Have you chosen to participate and receive the extravagance of the Holy Spirit? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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