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Divine Appointments
Photo Credit – Alexander Schimmeck 1Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Each day, as we look around us, there are different opportunities to serve, to help someone or to offer encouragement. Sometimes it’s the small acts of kindness that mean so very much: a smile, a kind word, opening a door, baking cookies, sending a card or letter, calling your mom or a friend, letting someone go in front of you in the check out lane, taking a meal to a shut-in, calling on an elderly neighbor… The list is endless; waiting for your personal touch, using your gift. This world is filled with hate, violence and crime. We could all use a little more love and kindness. Don’t we all just want to feel loved and valued? Don’t we want to be seen and heard; know that our life matters to someone? I think those are common human basic needs. We matter to God! He loves us! He makes each person unique and gives special gifts to us. Our gifts differ. Yet, they equip us for the tasks that God creates for us to do. He wants us to use them to help and serve others. I have three children, two daughters and a son. There are about ten years difference between my youngest daughter and my son. He grew up in a household with teenage girls and hormones! As a young boy, he would play for hours with Superhero figurines. He wanted to be a Superhero when he grew up. He has always had a big heart! He dreamed of being able to create housing and schools for homeless. He wanted to serve and help the misunderstood, the disadvantaged and underserved. Although, at the time, he was only around four, he was “wise beyond his years.” His passion grew to serve. As a mother, I tried to encourage and instill the value of serving, giving back into the lives of my children. I feel that there is so much to learn by being involved in mission projects. Helping others, like laughter, is good medicine for your heart! I took my son with me to a church in the inner city to serve meals to the homeless. He welcomed and loved serving! Yet, because of his young age, he was not allowed to interact with the people. This discouraged him. But his passion for the hurting did not subside. One day, we were having dinner with my friend, Lisa. Lisa also had a servant’s heart. Upon entering the restaurant, she saw a homeless man seated on the curb outside. When she ordered her meal, she also requested a “carry out” meal with the same entrees. We finished our meals. As we exited, she walked over to the homeless man and struck up a conversation. She asked his name and told him that “Jesus loved him.” As she chatted, she engaged him in a conversation. She asked if she could pray for him. He agreed. Then, she handed him the meal and told him that she loved him too. The gentleman was grateful. He was appreciative for the meal. But it seemed he was even more thankful that someone took the time to “see him”, ask his name and have conversation. For the first time, in a long time, I believe he felt the warmth of lovingkindness in her actions. Don’t actions always speak louder than words? This incident my son witnessed spoke to him deeply; imprinted on his heart. We all walked away differently that evening. I don’t believe in luck or coincidence. I believe this was a divine appointment; created by God in advance for us to do. I think these opportunities are around us every day. Are we too busy to notice or do we turn blind eyes, deaf ears and walk away? A few months later we went to dinner at the same restaurant. My son spotted a homeless man on the curb and asked me if we could purchase a meal for the man. We did and he took the meal to him; giving him a blessing of food and love. My son is now a young man in college. Long gone are the days of playing with super hero figurines. But his passion for helping others is growing into a career path. Today, he is working with special needs children; encouraging, teaching, caring. He appreciates, enjoys, and understands them. He is their advocate, friend and super hero. He is using his gifts.
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phillippians 4:4) For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. (Isaiah 55:12) In Psalm 127:3 the Bible tells us “Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This is so true! Children are amazing gifts from the Lord! But, how difficult it is when you long for children for years and yet, your hope goes unfulfilled. You pray, beg, try different options and your womb remains empty. There are painful emotions that run rampant: sorrow, guilt, shame and wondering Why? Thankfully, I have three beautiful healthy adult children. However, it took five years before I conceived. Only through the difficulty that I went through to have children, do I only partially understand the ache and depth of longing. I have family and friends that have experienced the deep longing and unfulfilled hope of having a baby too. My heart aches for them. My daughter and son-in-law experienced this dilemma. For a short time, they became a foster family. Then, they decided to pursue international adoption. The process was long and tedious but they persevered through all of the paperwork. They adopted a wonderful little boy from China, Charlie! I am his Lao Lao (maternal grandma) and I am biased. But he is the most special joy filled gift from God! He hardly ever has any expression other than a huge smile (unless mama or baba tell him, no). He radiates and exudes joy from every pore! Charlie has cerebral palsy. He goes through speech therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, occupational therapy and has multiple doctor and clinic appointments. But he is a trooper! He is always excited to do the work! He smiles and fills the room with joy! My daughter homeschools him. He is extremely motivated and intelligent! He may have some limitations on his physical body, but his mind and spirit soar high! The joy of the Lord is his strength. We are blessed! At times, we cannot choose the situations we go through or things that happen to us. However, I believe that we can choose our attitude and how we will respond. I see the obstacles and challenges Charlie perseveres through and watch his attitude, his expression. He is an overcomer. He chooses joy! When I have a difficult day, I look at a picture of Charlie. I smile. I am grateful for this little joy filled blessing and I thank Jesus for him! He is truly a gift from the Lord!
Sometimes it is not what you say; it is the way you say it.
Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious and comforting words. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. Have you ever had to have an important conversation with a person or group of people? Have you ever had to try and explain a difficult detailed and possibly controversial position on a project? There were many times in my corporate career that I had the opportunity. Some, I handled well. But there was one time that I recall, that I failed miserably. At the time, I did not realize it. I call these times “learning opportunities”. I am a passionate person. Some of my job responsibility revolved around quality. Quality is a good thing. The passion for quality is not wrong or a bad concept. However, sometimes our emotions get “caught up” into an explanation. Our tone can change and be perceived not as assertion, but sounds more to the receiver like aggression. I had the conversation with my colleagues explaining details, outlining expectations and thought it went well. Until, I received a phone call from their boss. This person was not only their boss but he is a godly Christian man, my good friend and mentor. With kind and gentle words and tone, he explained that “your passion isn’t wrong, but hurtful”. I hadn’t realized that the way I had delivered my message had seemed hardened; never my intent. His words were tender, timely and pierced my heart, in a good way. I was both humbled and grateful. With sincere humility, I contacted my colleagues and apologized. We sat down again. This time, I listened first. I heard what they had to say. We worked together to come up with a solution that satisfied the quality needs and addressed their concerns. These colleagues were gracious and forgiving. We learned and grew from this experience. Through the years, they became my trusted work partners, team mates and true friends. I valued their patience, perseverance, honesty and accountability! LORD, So often, I fail you and fumble. I am prideful and selfish when You call me to be humble. I confess my sin and repent. Teach me more of humility through this season of lent. As I fix my eyes on You; gaze at the Cross. All that I am is for Your glory; everything else is loss. Take my heart, mold and shape my will. Let Your Holy Spirit my soul fill. Let me be faithful and true Sharing, pointing others to You. This life is not about me. You are writing the story. To You, be all Praise and Glory @ 2021 Kim Clodfelterall rights reserved Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, Photo Credit: Ben White Photo Credit: Samuel McGarrigle Photo Credit: Milada Vigerova
Through Water and Fire
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” A few years ago I went through a very difficult trying season with a pain filled unhealthy relationship. My focus was shifted off of Jesus and onto myself. This is never a good thing no matter how you try to justify it. Needless to say, I made some poor choices. The consequences left me not only broken, but filled with great fear. I sank into a dark period of depression. But God is a good good Father. He used this pain filled time to draw me back. In the darkness, He was with me every step of the way. I clung to Jesus and the cross for my very life! Although I walked through the water and fire, He was with me and did not let it consume me! I am humbled. I am grateful. In my weakness, He gave me His strength to put one foot in front of the other and walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4); hand in hand with Him. He restored my health and my relationship with Him. He gave me a fresh hope and a new outlook on life! I have heard people say “Don’t waste your pain.” My hope is to share stories from my life journey to help others. What Jesus has done for me, friend, He can do for you! “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3). He is faithful when we are not. He died so we could live. He forgives so we can have new life and have it abundantly.
God cares for all creatures
1 Peter 5:7, NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you I love that I have a God, who cares about everything in my life. I love that he invites me to go to him with all my praises, cares, fears, and worries. Nothing is too small or great to go to God about. A little over a week ago, my neighbor got a puppy it is so tiny and precious only weights a pound. And in the last week my neighbor has fallen in love with her puppy. She has let every neighbor, friend and family member know about her new addition to her family. Her puppy has brought her so much joy and happiness. Yesterday morning, her puppy fell very ill. She took her to the Vet and found out she has Parvo. The vet told her she has a 50/50 chance of survival because she is so tiny. My neighbors’ heart is broken. I told her I was so sorry and let her know I would pray for her puppy’s recovery and ask others to join me. I am assured that God is concerned about every part of His creation including animals. He made them and they belong to Him. The Bible says, “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). He also says, On the day God made the animals, the Bible tells us that He pronounced it good (Genesis 1:25). I am amazed and thankful I can go to him for anything, including my neighbor’s puppy “Muffin”.
Fervent Prayer and other things…
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit….” Ephesians 6:18 “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17 “The Lord is far from the wicked; But He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29 Over the past few years, I have read several books on prayer. “Fervent Prayer” by Priscilla Shirer is, in my opinion, one of the best. You may find several thoughts and quotes from her inciteful book as I write. I have found that journaling my prayers is helpful. Then, I can go back and see the goodness of the Lord in all the answers. Does He answer every one? Yes, but not always in the way I expect or in the timing that I like. We have to remember that God’s ways are not our ways. He has a plan to work out for His followers and he knows what’s best to work out that plan. Prayer can make us aware of all the resources and strength and protections God has placed at our disposal. Nothing is a match for the power and authority He gives us access to when we pray. Love this: P Praise: Thank Him for completely forgiving me, cleansing me and changing me. R Repentance: See the foolishness of anything that perpetuates old sin patterns and by His spirit, walk away. A Asking: Ask for freedom for release, for the ability to deflect lies and embrace the truth. Y Yes: Because you, by His resurrection power, can now walk in a new way of life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17 I pray you have a blessed, beautiful, God filled day.