“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Cor. 9:6 (NIV)
A single mother gathered the change from her purse, approximately eighty cents, and gave it to her nine year old son. When she tried to help him calculate the proper amount to give as tithe, he said to her, “No. It’s ALL for God.” and proceeded to put all of the change in the offering bucket at church that week.
The next week the boy was able to do some extra chores and earned a little over a dollar. Once again, when the offering bucket was passed at church, he gave all of the money.
After church on Easter Sunday, a woman came to the boy’s mother and said the Lord had told her she needed to give the boy some money. His mother, thinking it would be a couple of dollars, was surprised when the woman gave the little boy two five dollar bills. Once again, all of it was placed in the offering.
When the mother asked why he was giving all of his money in the offering, he responded, “Mom, I’m planting seeds.”
Later that day, the boy and his mother were working in their garden. When it came time to plant their seeds, the boy began reading the seed packets carefully. “Mom, did you know that the package tells you which seed you’re planting so you know what will grow after you plant it?” He then told her, “I haven’t been naming my seed! My seed at church in the offering... I haven’t been naming my seed!” His mother asked, “What do you want to name your seed?” He answered, “My seeds are named, A House, A Dad, A Dog!”
This is not a fictional parable. My sister considers it a privilege to know this young man of God, whom she says reminds her much of David, a man after God’s own heart. He reminds me of the woman who gave her only two mites, all that she had to live on, and the boy who gave his five loaves and two fish for the work of the Kingdom. This young man prays specifically and in faith, giving all that he has to the only true God who hears and answers. For quite some time he has been praying for these three things: a house, a dad and a dog. He desires the stability and security of living in a home of his own. He asks not simply for a Dad, but a “very Godly Dad”. And finally he prays for what he calls his “God dog.” Not the dog he chooses for himself, but the dog which God chooses for Him. Is it any wonder Christ said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”? (Matt. 19:14)
I leave you with one question and one request.
The Question: Have you named your seed? When you give to God, whatever the means, do you look ahead in faith to the harvest God will bring? Looking forward to the harvest compells generous giving.
The Request: Please join me in lifting up this young man of faith in our prayers, belieiving God to bring about an abundant harvest from the seeds a boy sows.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
No Makeup Required
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Prov. 17:17 (NIV)
Two weeks ago I had the joy of spending a “girls’ weekend” with 4 of my dearest friends from college. I’m taking a huge risk here posting the above picture. I figured if the title was “NO MAKEUP REQUIRED” the picture should match. Lucky for my girlfriends, they are beautiful inside and out, even without makeup. Who knew when we all met in welcoming “life groups”, and dormitory hallways that 20 years and 17 children later we would be spending a blessed weekend together.
What a weekend it was! It included all of the essentials of a relaxing weekend with girlfriends: food, jammies, manicures, magazines, laughter and tears (just a few). We discussed children, marriage and ministry. I believe it was our first evening together when one word was spoken that struck deep into my heart and changed the weekend for me. “Authentic!” The next morning as I was spending time with the Lord, He spoke that same word again to me. “Heather, Be authentic!” I think most of us face this challenge of authenticity at some point in our lives. We’re often intimidated and insecure, feeling we have to be someone other than who we truly are or others may not love us. I realized I had stepped into my girls’ weekend just that way. I hadn’t seen them all in 5 years. I’d better look right, sound right, and act right. Luckily, the weekend had just begun and my attitude quickly changed. I decided to just be myself. After all, these women have known me for 20 years. Twenty years of bad hair days and fashion mistakes (what’s up with the floral overalls???) and they still love me. After a weekend of looking through old photo albums, living without makeup and heart to heart conversations, I am convinced more than ever that these girls are true friends. They love me for who I am. They love me at all times….even without makeup.
What a blessing to know that their love is a reflection of Christ in them. Christ, the one friend, greater than any other, who loves me even at my absolute worst. With others, I can put on makeup and a smile and appear to be lovable. I can hide the fear, pain, insecurity and even sin. But He sees beyond the surface, past my smile to my heart. He knows me to the core of my being and loves me deeper still. In fact, He’d rather me drop the makeup at the door and come to Him as I am, imperfections and all. For it’s when the makeup is removed that He is finally able to reflect His own beauty through me. What a relief! With Him, I can be myself… No Makeup Required!
P.S.
Thanks friends for a weekend of refreshing encouragement. I believe it was a time truly appointed by God. I love you all dearly!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
He Sees You!
“From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Psalm 33:13-15
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,” Psalm 33:18
The beautiful little boy in the above picture is Connor Robertson. Connor is three years old, has down syndrome and is an absolute, living miracle. You can read more about his miracle life at his blog, www.mamaslittlebug.blogspot.com. I have the privilege of being “Auntie Heather” to Connor and his siblings, 2 year old Mackenzie & 7 month old Alex. We like to say that even though I am not “auntie” by blood, I am “auntie” by love.
Because they live in Washington state and I live near Washington DC we don’t get to see each other…..ever. SO, when I found myself with the joy of spending a weekend in the Seattle area with college girlfriends (A completely different post is coming on that soon.), I arranged my travel schedule to spend a day with Connor and his family. What a blessing it was!!!
Connor’s mommy, Lori, and I have one of those rare, click as soon as you meet each other, sisters in Christ, heart strings tied together forever kind of relationships. I can tell you that she is truly one of the most amazing women of God I know. A day in the Robertson home will prove the God given strength, patience and love she possesses and expresses to her family. My one day in their life was a joy. Lori’s day after day can be “trenches” living. Any parent can imagine that. But imagine adding to it the care for a precious little boy who’s down syndrome and accompanying medical needs have slowed development so much that it is almost impossible to see whether he understands the love and effort you are pouring into his little life. He can’t say “I love you” or run to her and wrap his arms around her neck in excitement. There are times when his mommy feels unseen and heart-broken. Not long after she had shared this with me, she left the room for a few minutes. As I sat on the floor, playing with Connor and his sister, I noticed his eyes focus on the doorway every minute or so. I realized he was waiting for mommy to come through that door. Later, when she again had to leave the room, he became very agitated, calming only when she returned. His source of love and security is his mommy. She had never seen that and never would have known had I not been there to see it and tell her. When I did, the expression on her face was worth more than gold. It was almost as though Connor was saying, “I love you” with his own little voice. His actions showed that he does receive her love and a sense of security from her.
Even greater than Connor “seeing” his mommy, is that Christ sees and receives every bit of love and care she gives each and every day. Even if Connor never expresses, “Thank you!” or “I love you!” Christ does.
Have you ever been in the midst of “trenches” living? Have you ever felt that you pour out yourself, maybe even for the Lord, and nobody sees? You question if harvest will ever come from your sowing. Does anybody care? Maybe you’ve even questioned if God cares. Let me assure you, He does! Every bit of love you pour out, every tear you cry, and every drop of sweat you shed in His work is seen. And should you never see the harvest or reward in this life, you will when you see Him.
HE SEES YOU!
HE LOVES YOU!
HE IS YOUR REWARD!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Want To Hold His Hand
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26 (NIV)
This morning, as I walked my 7 year old son to the bus stop, I found myself wishing the walk could be a little longer. I know the day will come when he won’t want to be seen holding his mom’s hand and giving her a kiss goodbye. But for now, he wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would I. It’s not that he hasn’t thought it to be a bit embarrassing. In fact, the first day of the school year, when I kissed him before he boarded the bus, he embarrassedly whispered, “MOM!” and looked around. I quickly apologized, recognizing his need for independence. I watched as he considered the situation in his young mind and signaled me down toward him. I leaned down, expecting a whisper in my ear. Much to my surprise, I received a kiss on my cheek and a warm hug. WOW! His love for me outweighed his pride. He’ll never know how much that meant to me or that that moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I imagine that God felt the same way this morning. Brennan and I had rushed out the door at the last minute and hadn’t said our usual morning prayer together. So as we crossed the street, Brennan led out loud and unashamedly. I found myself noticing the neighbor in his driveway and wondered if he could hear. What a brave boy! He didn’t seem to care who heard him. The fact is that Brennan’s love for God outweighed his pride. I’m sure God was beaming with love at that moment.
It’s amazing how a simple walk to the bus stop with a 7 year old child can challenge my faith so much. In fact, this morning’s walk left me strongly convicted. How often does my love for God outweigh my pride? The answer, sadly, is not often enough. Too often, I keep my mouth shut when given the opportunity to speak up for Christ, simply because I don’t want others to think I’m a fanatic or “religious”. Too often, I miss an opportunity to share His love through a kind act or prayer because I’m too caught up in myself. Oh how I pray that my love for God will always outweigh my own pride. May I never be ashamed to hold Christ’s hand as I walk through life with Him.
This morning, as I walked my 7 year old son to the bus stop, I found myself wishing the walk could be a little longer. I know the day will come when he won’t want to be seen holding his mom’s hand and giving her a kiss goodbye. But for now, he wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would I. It’s not that he hasn’t thought it to be a bit embarrassing. In fact, the first day of the school year, when I kissed him before he boarded the bus, he embarrassedly whispered, “MOM!” and looked around. I quickly apologized, recognizing his need for independence. I watched as he considered the situation in his young mind and signaled me down toward him. I leaned down, expecting a whisper in my ear. Much to my surprise, I received a kiss on my cheek and a warm hug. WOW! His love for me outweighed his pride. He’ll never know how much that meant to me or that that moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I imagine that God felt the same way this morning. Brennan and I had rushed out the door at the last minute and hadn’t said our usual morning prayer together. So as we crossed the street, Brennan led out loud and unashamedly. I found myself noticing the neighbor in his driveway and wondered if he could hear. What a brave boy! He didn’t seem to care who heard him. The fact is that Brennan’s love for God outweighed his pride. I’m sure God was beaming with love at that moment.
It’s amazing how a simple walk to the bus stop with a 7 year old child can challenge my faith so much. In fact, this morning’s walk left me strongly convicted. How often does my love for God outweigh my pride? The answer, sadly, is not often enough. Too often, I keep my mouth shut when given the opportunity to speak up for Christ, simply because I don’t want others to think I’m a fanatic or “religious”. Too often, I miss an opportunity to share His love through a kind act or prayer because I’m too caught up in myself. Oh how I pray that my love for God will always outweigh my own pride. May I never be ashamed to hold Christ’s hand as I walk through life with Him.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Lighter Load
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 (NIV)
The other day, my 10 year old daughter came home with a backpack so heavy, she couldn’t barely drag it a few footsteps to the kitchen counter for me to look at its contents. I picked it up. GOOD GRIEF! That thing weighed a ton. Well, maybe not a ton, but I put it on the scale and it did way 25% of my little girl’s total body weight! This wasn’t the first time my husband and I have had discussions about this crazy backpack. Just the day before Dan watched in amazement as she lifted the backpack to her shoulder and spun around 3 times before she could balance the weight. When she finally did, she couldn’t stand upright. He had to chuckle a bit despite his disgust at his precious little girl having to carry such a load. The decision was made that the next day I would go find her a backpack with wheels.
Rather than make her carry that load to school the next morning, I removed two heavy books and a recorder (for music class). I sent a note to her teacher explaining the situation and asked that she be able to share books with another student if necessary that day. I thought Lauren would be thrilled when she lifted the bag to find it 5 pounds lighter. WRONG! She fought for the weight. “But Mom, we need those books! I have to have my recorder! If I don’t leave it in my backpack, I’ll forget it on music class day. It will affect my grade! NO! I need them!” She actually fought to carry the load. I really had to stick to my guns. I just couldn’t let her carry it. She might hurt herself! Something was wrong with this picture.
I didn’t get it until I realized that Lauren is a lot like me. I carry a load much heavier than necessary all the time: guilt, anxiety, fear, judgment, a schedule hurried for the tasks that I’m certain must be completed to please others and even God. I pack more and more into my bag until I walk through life hunched under the weight I've placed on my own shoulders. All the while, God is saying, “Let me take that. I have a much lighter load for you. It’s easy to carry.” My response? “No! I might need that today. Someone, maybe even you, might be disappointed if I don’t complete that task. If I don’t worry about tomorrow’s provision, who will?”
The difference is that Father God doesn’t demand that he lighten my load. If I choose to, he’ll let me carry it; gently urging all the while, “Come to me Heather. You’re weary and burdened. I’ll give you rest. Take my ‘pack’ on your shoulders. Learn from me. Find rest for your soul. My pack is easy and my burden is light.” Until wearily, with strained and soar muscles, I willingly come to Him and place my pack at His feet.
(from Matthew 11:28-30)
The other day, my 10 year old daughter came home with a backpack so heavy, she couldn’t barely drag it a few footsteps to the kitchen counter for me to look at its contents. I picked it up. GOOD GRIEF! That thing weighed a ton. Well, maybe not a ton, but I put it on the scale and it did way 25% of my little girl’s total body weight! This wasn’t the first time my husband and I have had discussions about this crazy backpack. Just the day before Dan watched in amazement as she lifted the backpack to her shoulder and spun around 3 times before she could balance the weight. When she finally did, she couldn’t stand upright. He had to chuckle a bit despite his disgust at his precious little girl having to carry such a load. The decision was made that the next day I would go find her a backpack with wheels.
Rather than make her carry that load to school the next morning, I removed two heavy books and a recorder (for music class). I sent a note to her teacher explaining the situation and asked that she be able to share books with another student if necessary that day. I thought Lauren would be thrilled when she lifted the bag to find it 5 pounds lighter. WRONG! She fought for the weight. “But Mom, we need those books! I have to have my recorder! If I don’t leave it in my backpack, I’ll forget it on music class day. It will affect my grade! NO! I need them!” She actually fought to carry the load. I really had to stick to my guns. I just couldn’t let her carry it. She might hurt herself! Something was wrong with this picture.
I didn’t get it until I realized that Lauren is a lot like me. I carry a load much heavier than necessary all the time: guilt, anxiety, fear, judgment, a schedule hurried for the tasks that I’m certain must be completed to please others and even God. I pack more and more into my bag until I walk through life hunched under the weight I've placed on my own shoulders. All the while, God is saying, “Let me take that. I have a much lighter load for you. It’s easy to carry.” My response? “No! I might need that today. Someone, maybe even you, might be disappointed if I don’t complete that task. If I don’t worry about tomorrow’s provision, who will?”
The difference is that Father God doesn’t demand that he lighten my load. If I choose to, he’ll let me carry it; gently urging all the while, “Come to me Heather. You’re weary and burdened. I’ll give you rest. Take my ‘pack’ on your shoulders. Learn from me. Find rest for your soul. My pack is easy and my burden is light.” Until wearily, with strained and soar muscles, I willingly come to Him and place my pack at His feet.
(from Matthew 11:28-30)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Gray Days
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Have you ever had a gray day? How about a gray week? You know, when the skies aren’t black, but they are simply drearily gray. That’s the kind of week I just had. The clouds rolled in on Monday morning. Not literal gray clouds. I’m talking about the clouds that roll into your heart and mind, sinking deep into your spirit. News came that the long reaching fingers of the sinking economy had alas grasped hold of the company my husband works for. His position was safe, but 49 others were not, including two of his employees. We were heart broken as we sat together with tears and prayed.
That morning seemed to set the tone for the week ahead. My husband had to deal with the emotional strain of walking through the details of Monday’s news. My girlfriend’s baby was rushed to the ER. Another friend lost his job. Each day had its own various shade of gray, but each was gray none the less. By Saturday we just needed to get out of the house. We needed some sunshine. Unfortunately the weather had decided to join in and provide a backdrop of dreary, drizzly rain.
Have you ever faced a Sunday after a week like this and wished that you could just stay in bed? Its times like these I find myself tempted to isolate myself and take a day off. It’s a good thing we’re involved in our church. It forces us to get up and go, even when we don’t feel like it. So this week, although we wanted to stay in our cozy, warm bed and hide, we got up and went to church. I am so glad we did. We went to worship together with our “family”. Just the thought of it brings a feeling of comfort to my heart. After services, we had the joy of spending the afternoon in our home with a group of friends talking about the Lord, sharing our lives and praying together. What a blessing.
Somewhere in the midst of that day, our gray skies began to clear and our dispostion changed. The situations and circumstances in our lives were the same, but they no longer consumed us. We knew it was the day of worship together with others that made a difference.
The next time you wake up on a Sunday morning feeling discouraged with the temptation to stay isolated, let me encourage you not to give in to that temptation. The author of Hebrews knew what he was talking about when he said that we should not give up meeting together with the body of Christ. We are here to encourage each other. We need each other. There is something about joining together that lightens the load and brightens our outlook.
Thank you to my “family”. You brightened my day!
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Have you ever had a gray day? How about a gray week? You know, when the skies aren’t black, but they are simply drearily gray. That’s the kind of week I just had. The clouds rolled in on Monday morning. Not literal gray clouds. I’m talking about the clouds that roll into your heart and mind, sinking deep into your spirit. News came that the long reaching fingers of the sinking economy had alas grasped hold of the company my husband works for. His position was safe, but 49 others were not, including two of his employees. We were heart broken as we sat together with tears and prayed.
That morning seemed to set the tone for the week ahead. My husband had to deal with the emotional strain of walking through the details of Monday’s news. My girlfriend’s baby was rushed to the ER. Another friend lost his job. Each day had its own various shade of gray, but each was gray none the less. By Saturday we just needed to get out of the house. We needed some sunshine. Unfortunately the weather had decided to join in and provide a backdrop of dreary, drizzly rain.
Have you ever faced a Sunday after a week like this and wished that you could just stay in bed? Its times like these I find myself tempted to isolate myself and take a day off. It’s a good thing we’re involved in our church. It forces us to get up and go, even when we don’t feel like it. So this week, although we wanted to stay in our cozy, warm bed and hide, we got up and went to church. I am so glad we did. We went to worship together with our “family”. Just the thought of it brings a feeling of comfort to my heart. After services, we had the joy of spending the afternoon in our home with a group of friends talking about the Lord, sharing our lives and praying together. What a blessing.
Somewhere in the midst of that day, our gray skies began to clear and our dispostion changed. The situations and circumstances in our lives were the same, but they no longer consumed us. We knew it was the day of worship together with others that made a difference.
The next time you wake up on a Sunday morning feeling discouraged with the temptation to stay isolated, let me encourage you not to give in to that temptation. The author of Hebrews knew what he was talking about when he said that we should not give up meeting together with the body of Christ. We are here to encourage each other. We need each other. There is something about joining together that lightens the load and brightens our outlook.
Thank you to my “family”. You brightened my day!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Caught Unprepared
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut." Matthew 25:10 (NIV)
I've lived in Northern VA for 3 1/2 years now. I love this area, especially having 4 distinct seasons. They did however, take a little getting used to for this CA girl. My first winter here, I discovered that as soon as the weather man suggests the tiniest bit of snowfall, everyone must make a mad dash for the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk, and any other essentials. I have to admit, I joined the mad dash. After a year or so, I realized that this was simply crazy. Come on! A dusting of snow isn't going to keep us from the store. It's not like we live in Alaska or North Dakota and are going to be snowed in for a week. Good grief! We have pretty mild winters here. So I relaxed a bit. I no longer run out to the store at the first warning of a storm. Besides, I usually have enough here to hold us over for a couple of days.
So Saturday, when I heard that there was going to be snow on Sunday, did I respond? Of course not. Did I care that this time they were calling for up to 8 inches? Yea right! I don't think we've had 8 inches of snow accumulate over the entire last year. I got up Sunday morning and went to church as usual. After church, we went out to dinner with some friends. (I just have to add that it was such a blessed and wonderful visit.) Then, while the kids played I took a nap on the couch. RELAX! Right? At about 5:30 we went to deliver my daughter's girlfriend back home on the other side of town. It was a nice family outing as the snow began to fall. Now, I knew that we were running low on milk and a few other things to make actual meals for the next couple of days, so do you think I asked my husband to make a quick stop at the store before we came home? NO! Of course not. I could just run out Monday morning and take care of that little errand. RIGHT????
WRONG! I woke up this morning to SNOW!!! It really snowed! I couldn't tell where my front curb met the street. The plows hadn't arrived to clear the roads. What in the world? How am I supposed to go to the store like this? Remember, I'm a California girl! My friend, having grown up in this area, called to check on me. She giggled as she informed me that I should always be prepared when the storm comes from the south. NOW SHE TELLS ME! I love you Beth, but couldn't you have called me yesterday?
Well, I shoveled the drive and waited for the snow plows to clear the neighborhood streets. They finally arrived after noon and out I went to the store, driving way too slow for my liking, on snowy, icy streets. How foolish could I have been?! I should have been cozied up with a good book. Instead, I had been foolishly unprepared.
I was suddenly reminded of one of Christ's parables about 10 virgins who awaited the coming of the bridegroom. Five of the girls were prepared with enough oil to keep their lamps burning no matter how long the wait. The other 5 were foolishly unprepared and eventually had to run out to buy more. While they were out, the bridegroom came, taking the 5 wise girls into the banquet. The doors to the banquet were shut and the 5 foolish virgins missed out on everything. The message: many will be unprepared and miss Christ's coming.
I was lucky; my foolish unpreparedness left me little more than inconvenienced. How sad the thought that foolish unpreparedness will cause so many to miss out on eternal life. The thought of my crazy, somewhat funny day, came to a sobering stillness. Oh God, may my heart be broken at this thought. Then came another thought. How many people will be unprepared because I didn't do my part to make sure they knew they needed to be prepared? Just like I wished Beth would have called me one day earlier, will others wish I would have told them?
Oh how I pray that every person who reads this is prepared for Christ's coming. We so often think, "I don't have to worry about that yet." Yes you do. We never know when He might return. And oh how I pray that every person who reads this is prepared for whatever Christ asks you to do today. It might be just what someone else needs to be prepared for eternity, or maybe even a snow storm. :)
I've lived in Northern VA for 3 1/2 years now. I love this area, especially having 4 distinct seasons. They did however, take a little getting used to for this CA girl. My first winter here, I discovered that as soon as the weather man suggests the tiniest bit of snowfall, everyone must make a mad dash for the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk, and any other essentials. I have to admit, I joined the mad dash. After a year or so, I realized that this was simply crazy. Come on! A dusting of snow isn't going to keep us from the store. It's not like we live in Alaska or North Dakota and are going to be snowed in for a week. Good grief! We have pretty mild winters here. So I relaxed a bit. I no longer run out to the store at the first warning of a storm. Besides, I usually have enough here to hold us over for a couple of days.
So Saturday, when I heard that there was going to be snow on Sunday, did I respond? Of course not. Did I care that this time they were calling for up to 8 inches? Yea right! I don't think we've had 8 inches of snow accumulate over the entire last year. I got up Sunday morning and went to church as usual. After church, we went out to dinner with some friends. (I just have to add that it was such a blessed and wonderful visit.) Then, while the kids played I took a nap on the couch. RELAX! Right? At about 5:30 we went to deliver my daughter's girlfriend back home on the other side of town. It was a nice family outing as the snow began to fall. Now, I knew that we were running low on milk and a few other things to make actual meals for the next couple of days, so do you think I asked my husband to make a quick stop at the store before we came home? NO! Of course not. I could just run out Monday morning and take care of that little errand. RIGHT????
WRONG! I woke up this morning to SNOW!!! It really snowed! I couldn't tell where my front curb met the street. The plows hadn't arrived to clear the roads. What in the world? How am I supposed to go to the store like this? Remember, I'm a California girl! My friend, having grown up in this area, called to check on me. She giggled as she informed me that I should always be prepared when the storm comes from the south. NOW SHE TELLS ME! I love you Beth, but couldn't you have called me yesterday?
Well, I shoveled the drive and waited for the snow plows to clear the neighborhood streets. They finally arrived after noon and out I went to the store, driving way too slow for my liking, on snowy, icy streets. How foolish could I have been?! I should have been cozied up with a good book. Instead, I had been foolishly unprepared.
I was suddenly reminded of one of Christ's parables about 10 virgins who awaited the coming of the bridegroom. Five of the girls were prepared with enough oil to keep their lamps burning no matter how long the wait. The other 5 were foolishly unprepared and eventually had to run out to buy more. While they were out, the bridegroom came, taking the 5 wise girls into the banquet. The doors to the banquet were shut and the 5 foolish virgins missed out on everything. The message: many will be unprepared and miss Christ's coming.
I was lucky; my foolish unpreparedness left me little more than inconvenienced. How sad the thought that foolish unpreparedness will cause so many to miss out on eternal life. The thought of my crazy, somewhat funny day, came to a sobering stillness. Oh God, may my heart be broken at this thought. Then came another thought. How many people will be unprepared because I didn't do my part to make sure they knew they needed to be prepared? Just like I wished Beth would have called me one day earlier, will others wish I would have told them?
Oh how I pray that every person who reads this is prepared for Christ's coming. We so often think, "I don't have to worry about that yet." Yes you do. We never know when He might return. And oh how I pray that every person who reads this is prepared for whatever Christ asks you to do today. It might be just what someone else needs to be prepared for eternity, or maybe even a snow storm. :)
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