Transformational Thought
We just dropped Dominique off at Pitt again. A goodbye filled with both excitement and sadness, and that was a little easier than the first time we did this. This year, she’s moving off campus to a rundown house (that Dominique, Martine, and Auntie Suzanne fixed up really nicely) with 2 other neat Christian girls. She is excited to be more on her own and we are happy with how she is maturing into a responsible adult. Wow, did our relationship with Dominique really grow this summer.
Have you crossed this Stepping Stone of evolving relationship with your child yet? If you have, it’s never too late to apply these principles, and if your kids are younger, never to early to start. The moment, that very moment you said goodbye to the child you were dropping off at college for the first time, will get burned into your mind forever, like so many other milestone moments. It is in mine.
We have taken this child from diapers to diploma … been the primary influence in her life … so many celebrations … some times of sadness and hurt … being involved in most details of her life … disappointments and punishments … thankfully, so much wonderment and fun … with many joys, fears, and surprises filling our memory banks. We want to protect our children from so many dangers and hurts … save them from the wrong turns we took back in our development. We are concerned they no longer have a protector or advocate like us around anymore. Wow, during those two decades, we have seen our child grow so much.
But now it’s your turn to change. The love for your child, when he or she leaves home, hopefully stays pretty constant … but the way you will express it and interact with your child will be significantly different. As you shift roles, be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listen instead of lecture. Begin to create a relationship that fosters communication. Listening first shows you respect them, are giving their ideas and views honor and dignity, are interested in and care for them, and understand that this particular issue is important to them. Most importantly, listening builds a bridge from your island to theirs (even though the geographical distance between your islands is growing) so you can send the important information you want them to hear when they really need it and are receptive.
Today, as you continue to make this transition, try and forget about the litany of “who, what, when” interrogation techniques you have relied on since your child became a teenager. Shift your focus now to a more faith-based approach. Try praying more. Try an inquiry with your child like, “How would you like me to be praying for you today?” Remember, they have an advocate and protector more powerful and skilled, and with better access to God than we ever could dream of doing ourselves. Your decision, choose well. It could be the difference between growing a powerful and lasting relationship with your child (and grandchildren), and growing apart and being marginal people in their busy lives.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray today for all parents who have children in college. I pray that while experiencing this loss, they take this opportunity to grow. They have focused so long on the growth and development of their child, that many times they have neglected themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Help these parents know, Father, that their jobs as spiritual leaders within their families never ends. Give them the strength and wisdom to minister to their college children. Help them, Father, to move to a mindset of praying … not prying. Give them all your peace and joy as they experience the sadness of separation and loss so they may receive Your mercy and find grace to help them in their time of need. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our savior; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth
3 John 1:4
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You a Fish Out of Water?
Transformational Thought
Most of mankind’s misery stems from the condition of feeling unloved, unwanted, or unimportant. As a result, we develop many dysfunctional activities to soothe this misery. To vicariously feel love or try to get love we pursue quick love, try to numb or escape the hurt of not being loved, substitute for the love we don’t feel by overly “loving” ourselves (pride), or love other things (sports, work, sex, food, shopping, insert your vice). In the midst of our storms, we tend to feel that somehow love has been withheld and that we have been forsaken … and this is exactly what Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to think and feel.
This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the actual storm itself. To us, love is like water to fish; we need it to surround us … we need it to navigate life … we need it to feed us. In fact, we need it to breathe. Most importantly, we need it to LIVE! Have you ever seen a fish out of water … floundering, flapping, struggling? Isn’t that how we feel a lot of times? Emotionally, psychologically, and especially spiritually? God is love, and we need a relationship with Him to receive His love. But just like any relationship, we have to receive His perfect and unconditional love and not always walk away or look in other places.
When you feel unloved or abandoned, turn to God’s Holy Scripture. Today’s Scripture reading is what I believe to be the most comforting promise in all of scripture. It assures us that we will never be alone or unloved, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” What do you believe, Satan’s lies or God’s promise? Your own insecure flesh, or the great instruction book of life? What will you be influenced by - the message of our fallen world, or the power of Jesus’ death on the cross for you?
Today, be aware of God’s love for you by imagining the love in the best fairy tale you can remember (yes guys, you can do this, too). If you are struggling, or doing well, remember that fairy tale, and look around to see and feel God’s love for YOU! Also, tell someone today who is close to you that you love them … and that God loves them even more. Your decision regarding whether you believe Satan or God, so choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You today with such a thankful heart. Thankful for Your love, and for Your promise and assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. I pray, Lord, that You let this divine assurance trickle through my mind, body and spirit … to trickle into my heart and soul. In this action-addicted world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find time alone with You, but when I do, I feel Your love. Help this day bring awareness to those that I love … even to strangers … that they are loved. In the name of love personified, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3
Most of mankind’s misery stems from the condition of feeling unloved, unwanted, or unimportant. As a result, we develop many dysfunctional activities to soothe this misery. To vicariously feel love or try to get love we pursue quick love, try to numb or escape the hurt of not being loved, substitute for the love we don’t feel by overly “loving” ourselves (pride), or love other things (sports, work, sex, food, shopping, insert your vice). In the midst of our storms, we tend to feel that somehow love has been withheld and that we have been forsaken … and this is exactly what Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to think and feel.
This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the actual storm itself. To us, love is like water to fish; we need it to surround us … we need it to navigate life … we need it to feed us. In fact, we need it to breathe. Most importantly, we need it to LIVE! Have you ever seen a fish out of water … floundering, flapping, struggling? Isn’t that how we feel a lot of times? Emotionally, psychologically, and especially spiritually? God is love, and we need a relationship with Him to receive His love. But just like any relationship, we have to receive His perfect and unconditional love and not always walk away or look in other places.
When you feel unloved or abandoned, turn to God’s Holy Scripture. Today’s Scripture reading is what I believe to be the most comforting promise in all of scripture. It assures us that we will never be alone or unloved, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” What do you believe, Satan’s lies or God’s promise? Your own insecure flesh, or the great instruction book of life? What will you be influenced by - the message of our fallen world, or the power of Jesus’ death on the cross for you?
Today, be aware of God’s love for you by imagining the love in the best fairy tale you can remember (yes guys, you can do this, too). If you are struggling, or doing well, remember that fairy tale, and look around to see and feel God’s love for YOU! Also, tell someone today who is close to you that you love them … and that God loves them even more. Your decision regarding whether you believe Satan or God, so choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You today with such a thankful heart. Thankful for Your love, and for Your promise and assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. I pray, Lord, that You let this divine assurance trickle through my mind, body and spirit … to trickle into my heart and soul. In this action-addicted world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find time alone with You, but when I do, I feel Your love. Help this day bring awareness to those that I love … even to strangers … that they are loved. In the name of love personified, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Stepping Stones: Parenting Without Authority
Transformational Thought
Today’s message is focused on those parents who sent their children off to college about a month ago, and a little memory lane for those that who crossed this Stepping Stone on their life’s growth path. If your kids are adults, never to late to employ this strategy. If they are younger, never to early to start.
The moment, that moment that you said goodbye to the child you were dropping off at college for the first time, got burned into your minds forever. It was in mine.
We have taken this child from diapers to diploma… been the primary influence in her livfe…so many celebrations…some times of sadness and hurt…being involved in most details of her life….and many joys, fears, and surprises filling our memory banks. We want to protect them from so many dangers and hurts…save them from the wrong turns we took back in our teens years. We are concerned they don’t have a protector or advocate like us around anymore. During those two decades, we have seen our child grow so much.
But now it’s your turn to change. The love for your child when he or she leaves home stays pretty constant…but the way you will interact with your child will be significantly different. As you shift roles, be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listen instead of lecture. Begin to create a relationship that fosters communication. Listening first shows you respect them, are giving their ideas and views honor and dignity, are interested and care, and understand that this particular issue is important to them. Listening builds a bridge from your island to theirs (even though the geographical distance is growing) so you can send the important information you want them to hear when they are receptive.
Today, as you continue to make this transition, try and forget about the litany of “who, what, when” interrogation techniques you have relied on since your child became a teenager. Shift your focus now to a more faith based approach. Try praying more. Try an inquiry with your child like: “How would you like me to be praying for you today?” Remember, they have an advocate and protector more powerful, skilled, and with better access to God than we ever could dream of doing ourselves.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray today for all parents who have children in college. I pray that while experiencing this loss, they take this opportunity to grow. They have focused so long on the growth and development of their child, that many times they have neglected themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Help these parents know, Father, that their jobs as spiritual leaders within their families never ends. Give them the strength and wisdom to minister to their college children. Help them, Father, to move to a mindset of praying…not prying. Give them all your peace and joy as they experience the sadness of separation and loss so they may receive Your mercy and find grace to help them in their time of need. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our savior; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth
3 John 1:4
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Friday, September 17, 2010
Stepping Stones: You’re Like A Fish!
Transformational Thought
Most of mankind’s misery stems from one condition; feeling unloved. We then develop many dysfunctional activities to soothe this misery. Such as pursuing quick love, trying to numb or escape the hurt of not being loved, substituting for the love we don’t feel by “loving” ourselves (pride), or loving other things (sports, work, sex, food, shopping, insert your vice) to vicariously feel or try to get love. In the midst of our storms, we tend to feel that somehow love has been withdrawn and that we have been forsaken…and this is exactly the Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to think and feel.
This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the storm itself. Love to us is like water to fish; we need it to surround us… we need it to navigate life…we need it to feed us. In fact, we need it to breathe, most importantly, we need it to LIVE! Have you ever seen a fish out of water? Floundering, flapping, gasping. Isnt that how we must seem emotionally, psychologically, spiritually at times.
When we feel unloved or abandoned, turn to God’s Holy Scripture. Today’s Scripture reading is what I believe to be the most comforting promise in all of scripture. It assures us that we will never be alone or unloved, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” Who do you believe, Satan’s lies or God’s promise? Your own insecure flesh, or the great instruction book of life? The message of e world or Jesus’ death on the cross for you?
Today, be aware of God’s love for you by imagining the love in the best fairy tale you can remember (yes guys, you can do this, too). If you are struggling, or doing well, remember that fairy tale, and look around to see and feel God’s love for YOU! Also, tell someone today who is close to you that you love them…and that God loves them more. Your choice regarding whether you believe Satan or God, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You today with such a thankful heart. Thankful for Your love and for Your promise and assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. I pray, Lord, that You let this divine assurance trickle through my mind, body and spirit…to trickle into my heart and soul. In this action-addicted world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find time alone with You, but when I do, I feel Your love. Help this day bring awareness to those that I love…even to strangers…that they are loved. In the name of love personified, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3
Monday, April 5, 2010
Stepping Stones: Submission ≠ Weaker Than
Transformational Tip
In God's plan for the family, each family member has a role to fulfill. God's divine revelation for the family is mutual submission.
Each family member is first a child of God. Children of God are to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. Each family member is called to submit to and respect their own and the other family members' God-given roles. This attitude of mutual respect and submission to God’s plan and the God-determined appointments or roles of each person should pass from generation to generation.
Important lessons about marriage are taught by the parents to the children through verbal and, especially, nonverbal communication. These lessons can have a tremendous influence…good or bad on children. For example, if a husband loves and respects his wife, his son has a better chance of understanding how to love and respect his wife, and is more likely to actually do it. And so on through the generations.
I don’t believe God views the various family positions in a hierarchy of superior to inferior. Each is given a different, but equally important role to play. As each one carries out his or her role in the way God has designed, everyone will glorify God, be blessed, and the family will flourish. Similar to the mutual submission modeled for us by the Trinity…God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The husband is to honor and submit to his role as a servant-leader, thus serving his wife and family. He also must submit to his wife’s role…to listen to her insights and the special wisdom God has given her. The wife is called to submit to and honor her husband as the spiritual leader with responsibility and authority for the direction of the family and he answers to God.
Children are to honor and obey their parents. Parents are to submit to and honor their children…listening to the simple wisdom God has blessed them with…respecting their God-given talents and gifts and giving room and encouragement to grow in those areas…respecting their children's unique traits and helping them grow into the person God has designed them to be.
Today, identify your role in your family. Respect it and the God-given role of others in your family. That is how true family unity and synergy occurs. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your perspective on submission.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank you for Your perfect design for the family. Help our family members to understand and fulfill our roles according to Your plan. Teach us to respect and submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. I pray this and all prayers through the One who You sent to teach me about true submission, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:21-28
In God's plan for the family, each family member has a role to fulfill. God's divine revelation for the family is mutual submission.
Each family member is first a child of God. Children of God are to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. Each family member is called to submit to and respect their own and the other family members' God-given roles. This attitude of mutual respect and submission to God’s plan and the God-determined appointments or roles of each person should pass from generation to generation.
Important lessons about marriage are taught by the parents to the children through verbal and, especially, nonverbal communication. These lessons can have a tremendous influence…good or bad on children. For example, if a husband loves and respects his wife, his son has a better chance of understanding how to love and respect his wife, and is more likely to actually do it. And so on through the generations.
I don’t believe God views the various family positions in a hierarchy of superior to inferior. Each is given a different, but equally important role to play. As each one carries out his or her role in the way God has designed, everyone will glorify God, be blessed, and the family will flourish. Similar to the mutual submission modeled for us by the Trinity…God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The husband is to honor and submit to his role as a servant-leader, thus serving his wife and family. He also must submit to his wife’s role…to listen to her insights and the special wisdom God has given her. The wife is called to submit to and honor her husband as the spiritual leader with responsibility and authority for the direction of the family and he answers to God.
Children are to honor and obey their parents. Parents are to submit to and honor their children…listening to the simple wisdom God has blessed them with…respecting their God-given talents and gifts and giving room and encouragement to grow in those areas…respecting their children's unique traits and helping them grow into the person God has designed them to be.
Today, identify your role in your family. Respect it and the God-given role of others in your family. That is how true family unity and synergy occurs. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your perspective on submission.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank you for Your perfect design for the family. Help our family members to understand and fulfill our roles according to Your plan. Teach us to respect and submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. I pray this and all prayers through the One who You sent to teach me about true submission, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:21-28
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Stepping Stones: Why Are You In My Life?
Transformational Tip
Do you ever wonder about the people that come into your life? All kinds…the person at the store you talk to in line…an acquaintance from some social circle…a friend from school…family members you share many experiences…a colleague at work. The numbers are amazing even for someone avoiding relationships.
Sometimes, if you are lucky…truly blessed…you have someone enter your life who will change your life forever. A special person delivering God’s, mercy, grace, and unconditional love…right to the doorstep of your heart.
Well, I was one of those lucky people. 21 years ago, when I was stuck at some significant crossroads in many areas of my life, when I least expected it, God showed up. Right in the middle of New Orleans, at a Mardi Gras party, I met and fell in love with the most beautiful person. Love at first sight!
She was, and is, incredibly beautiful on the outside…but the amazing part is who she is on the inside. When I was in such need personally and spiritually for God to show up, He showed up through my wife, Martine. Her unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and sacrifice have been so powerful to me…freeing me from my personal demons and allowing me to see God’s majesty in her and through her.
Since then, my engagement and growth with God has been unbelievable and He has transformed my life. I wish I could say I am the perfect husband…or even a good husband, but unfortunately, that is the area I still need to grow in the most. So, Happy Birthday, Honey, and thank you so much for what you have done for me. I will work at husbanding more today and this year!
Today, think about who God has put in YOUR life. Are you to profoundly influence them? Then do it. Have they been a profound influence on you? Then thank God for them and thank them, a lot. Do something special for them, ASAP. God does show up, and often it’s in the form of others. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your perspective on why God puts people in your life.
Prayer
Oh God, Thank You so much for not giving up on me even though I strayed and tried life my own way. All the grace and protection You provided still astounds and humbles me. Then to bring me an incredible gift, my Martine, I am speechless. Please strengthen me and help me have the courage to resist my selfish desires and really love and serve her…for that will honor You, her, and me. I pray this and all prayers for the one who loved perfectly and fully, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
John 20:21
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15
Do you ever wonder about the people that come into your life? All kinds…the person at the store you talk to in line…an acquaintance from some social circle…a friend from school…family members you share many experiences…a colleague at work. The numbers are amazing even for someone avoiding relationships.
Sometimes, if you are lucky…truly blessed…you have someone enter your life who will change your life forever. A special person delivering God’s, mercy, grace, and unconditional love…right to the doorstep of your heart.
Well, I was one of those lucky people. 21 years ago, when I was stuck at some significant crossroads in many areas of my life, when I least expected it, God showed up. Right in the middle of New Orleans, at a Mardi Gras party, I met and fell in love with the most beautiful person. Love at first sight!
She was, and is, incredibly beautiful on the outside…but the amazing part is who she is on the inside. When I was in such need personally and spiritually for God to show up, He showed up through my wife, Martine. Her unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and sacrifice have been so powerful to me…freeing me from my personal demons and allowing me to see God’s majesty in her and through her.
Since then, my engagement and growth with God has been unbelievable and He has transformed my life. I wish I could say I am the perfect husband…or even a good husband, but unfortunately, that is the area I still need to grow in the most. So, Happy Birthday, Honey, and thank you so much for what you have done for me. I will work at husbanding more today and this year!
Today, think about who God has put in YOUR life. Are you to profoundly influence them? Then do it. Have they been a profound influence on you? Then thank God for them and thank them, a lot. Do something special for them, ASAP. God does show up, and often it’s in the form of others. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your perspective on why God puts people in your life.
Prayer
Oh God, Thank You so much for not giving up on me even though I strayed and tried life my own way. All the grace and protection You provided still astounds and humbles me. Then to bring me an incredible gift, my Martine, I am speechless. Please strengthen me and help me have the courage to resist my selfish desires and really love and serve her…for that will honor You, her, and me. I pray this and all prayers for the one who loved perfectly and fully, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
John 20:21
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Stepping Stones: Noticing The Unnoticed
Transformational Tip
Yesterday, as I was walking through our small town, I noticed a friend standing across the street. We saw each other at the same time and offered a big wave ‘hello’. Standing just a few feet in front of my friend was an elderly man, who wrongly assumed I was waving at him.
As I crossed the street to talk with my friend, the stranger thought I was coming to speak with him. I could see the excitement in his face as I approached him. I thanked him for such a hearty wave, and then told him I was actually waving at the person behind him.
As I began talking with my friend, the old man excitedly joined in the conversation. It was a bit surprising, but comfortable. I don’t know his story, but it was clear that he was lonely and needed some company…he needed to be noticed.
I “noticed” this stranger by mistake, but it was clear that this simple interaction with two people he had never met before, however brief, brought this man some happiness. I was thankful and proud that my friend showed immediate kindness to this stranger. This many influenced my thoughts for the balance of the day.
There are so many people around us that go unnoticed…so many who live in quiet desperation, just waiting for someone to notice them. Thankfully, while we were desperate and insignificant, the King of Kings did way more for us than just notice, say something nice, then move on…He died for us.
Today, create your own little ministry of the unnoticed. Touch someone’s life with beauty and freshness. Say hello…ask someone a question…be interested in them for 5 minutes…show them a glimpse of how important they are to God...just as the Lord touches you.
Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community about noticing the unnoticed.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I yield to You, my Lord and God. I thank You for the opportunity to see Jesus at work when he produces in the commonplace something that is so inspiring. Help me, Father, to notice those that you bring onto one of the Stepping Stones on my pathway to developing the Mind of Christ. I pray that out of my mind/heart will flow rivers of living water. I pray in the name of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
John 7:38
Yesterday, as I was walking through our small town, I noticed a friend standing across the street. We saw each other at the same time and offered a big wave ‘hello’. Standing just a few feet in front of my friend was an elderly man, who wrongly assumed I was waving at him.
As I crossed the street to talk with my friend, the stranger thought I was coming to speak with him. I could see the excitement in his face as I approached him. I thanked him for such a hearty wave, and then told him I was actually waving at the person behind him.
As I began talking with my friend, the old man excitedly joined in the conversation. It was a bit surprising, but comfortable. I don’t know his story, but it was clear that he was lonely and needed some company…he needed to be noticed.
I “noticed” this stranger by mistake, but it was clear that this simple interaction with two people he had never met before, however brief, brought this man some happiness. I was thankful and proud that my friend showed immediate kindness to this stranger. This many influenced my thoughts for the balance of the day.
There are so many people around us that go unnoticed…so many who live in quiet desperation, just waiting for someone to notice them. Thankfully, while we were desperate and insignificant, the King of Kings did way more for us than just notice, say something nice, then move on…He died for us.
Today, create your own little ministry of the unnoticed. Touch someone’s life with beauty and freshness. Say hello…ask someone a question…be interested in them for 5 minutes…show them a glimpse of how important they are to God...just as the Lord touches you.
Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community about noticing the unnoticed.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I yield to You, my Lord and God. I thank You for the opportunity to see Jesus at work when he produces in the commonplace something that is so inspiring. Help me, Father, to notice those that you bring onto one of the Stepping Stones on my pathway to developing the Mind of Christ. I pray that out of my mind/heart will flow rivers of living water. I pray in the name of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
John 7:38
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