Rub Off on Someone

     Color, color everywhere and I was standing right in the middle of it finding joy at the sight.  The beautiful Spring weather had me venturing out to one of our local garden centers filled with flowering plants and some butterflies I might add. There was a rainbow of color to walk through as I looked at some of my old favorites and was introduced to some unique flowers I had never before seen.
     Every year without fail I chose a couple of beautiful hibiscus plants to bring home to adorn my patio. As I was inspecting this year's possible candidates, pollen from the long, protruding stamen planted itself on my shirt.  Thinking it would brush easily away, I tried to remove the yellow stain from my white (of course) shirt.  That was a no go!  I had been branded.
     This all brought to mind the saying of "rubbing off on someone."  Now I know that this saying can go both ways, but today we are going to land on the positive side of it.
When was the last time that you walked out of church into the world and and rubbed the Spirit of Jesus off on someone?  As it was obvious with me and the hibiscus you have to come into close contact for this to happen.
     Do we take time in our daily lives to slow down enough to notice or get close enough to come in direct contact with people who need Jesus. The love of Jesus and the story of His salvation, forgiveness, and freedom will not jump off of us as we pass by them in our usual daily frenzy.
     I challenge you today to ask Jesus to open your eyes to someone you can spiritually "rub off on." Someone with whom you can share Jesus. Be sensitive and attentive to His still small voice as you walk through the day. And realize you will have to sacrifice some of what you may have planned for the day to succeed in achieving a close enough contact to make a difference...a small sacrifice compared to that of Jesus on the cross.
     There will not be a visible stain left as there was for me with the hibiscus. There will, however, be an invisible covering of the blood of Jesus that will not and cannot be washed away if we share our precious Savior with them. So there now!  Go out and "rub off" the cleansing blood of Jesus on someone today.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowshipwith one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanse us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
      
      

Testimony of Provision

   Unworthy. Amazed. Thankful. These adjectives all describe how I have felt over the past several weeks as a result of God's provision.  And by provision, finances were only part of the equation. Provision has meant a friend at an unexpected place at just the right time. It has meant doctors providing emergency appointments at almost closing time. And, financially it has meant God providing almost exactly the amount of money we lacked, at a time when we needed it the most. 

     I will expound only lightly on the above because my particular situation is not of great importance.  What's vital is that you understand how God will do for you as He has done for me because of His great love for us. 
     My sweet husband hurt his back on the job and was unable to work for three (THREE!) weeks.  Praise God I have a job, but my paycheck alone would not cover our monthly expenses. This takes place as we were gathering the last of the funds needed to send our daughter on an eminent week long study abroad trip. And, to further muddy the water, our son ended up in an emergency room with an abscessed tooth and an allergic reaction to one of the medicines administered. Can you say root canal?
     God provided a precious friend for me just as this "Perfect Storm" of events reduced me to tears in the very public midway at Wal Mart. I'm not talking about down one of the smaller, more appropriate "chatty" aisles.  I'm talking about in the middle of Wal Mart, there before God and everyone. As the tears began to flow, I was given a shoulder to cry on (literally), a listening ear, and a prayer partner.  I was oblivious to anyone and everything around me.  I was so thankful for God's perfect timing and so very blessed to have you there, Linda! Thank you!
     Wait there is more to come!  A surprise escrow overage, an anonymous donation, money from family (Miriam and I both had birthdays amidst all this), and finding an error (my error, but in our favor) in our checkbook calculations all provided what we needed to pay our bills. And, as with the loaves and fishes, there was money to spare!
     I could kick myself for being so surprised!  God did just as He promises in His Word. (Matt. 6:28-34) And, as I breathed a sigh for the load that had been lifted, there was one final gift. This gift, which I carry with me today, is an increase in my faith in Him as He has proven Himself faithful. God had answered prayers that I was almost too overcome to pray, (thank you Holy Spirit for interceding on my behalf).  As the whirlwind of events slows down, all I can do is Praise His name for His provision every step of the way as I retrace the events that occurred.
     No matter who you are or what your situation, you are not unworthy as I sometimes am tempted by Satan to think.  God is waiting to be there for you whatever the situation.  You have but to ask, believe, and wait for Him to meet you in your time of need. He is only a prayer away. To God be the Glory!      
    

    
    
          

The Birthday Geese

     Call me crazy, but I just had to share with you what God sent for my birthday today.  (We won't be talking numbers in this post!)  Just figure maybe in my old age I'm becoming some strange "bird lady." Of course the picture above gives it away.  This morning there were two Canadian geese sitting in the grass just off the lake behind our house. (Photo Op!) They seem to be a pair and have mingled with the other ducks that have wintered with us, but they are not partaking of the corn we feed them. They have simply rested and stood in the grass and swam gracefully around our little lake.  What a calming, peaceful beauty to behold!  I have been sitting at my kitchen table most of the afternoon taking care of bills and such, enjoying taking moments of respite to watch them.
     Spring, Spring, Spring...how I've waited for it and here it is.  And daily God gives me a new beauty to behold.  Slow down!  Don't miss it!  Beauty is all around us.  Oh, the masterpieces God has been busy preparing. Take a moment to observe and be thankful.  I want to share with you a moment from my quiet time today. This comes from the book Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence  by Sarah Young. This daily devotional book is written as if Jesus was speaking to you and is based on scripture.

REJOICE AND BE THANKFUL!  As you walk with Me (Jesus) through this day, practice trusting and thanking Me all along the way.  Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you. Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances.

Whatever your "circumstances," make time to give God thanks, maybe not specifically for those "circumstances," but for who He is for you in the middle of it and the fact that He is always there for you. That was a mouthful.  Then wait for Him as He lifts you above whatever it is and blesses you with your equivalent of Canadian geese. I can promise from experience that God will show Himself to you in a mighty way as you are thankful in all things. (Eph. 5:20)  To God be the Glory!


  
   

The Little Things

     Since my last post, the earth has manifest itself in all matter of color.  Our unprecedented, early spring, which practically began in late February, has forced the early blooming flowers and the budding of trees. Color abounds and my camera is in use daily. My wait for color and signs of new life was not near as long as expected. Butterflies are once again in flight!! You know how I love my butterflies The birds fill the air with song. Spring gets me back outside and inspires me so.
     Of late, my sights have been set upon photographing a bluebird.  Quite a few have weathered the winter in our back yard.  Skittish little things they are, but what a joy to behold.  Only God could have spoken into existence that beautiful shade of blue with which they are feathered.  Many attempts at pictures have been made, but with the turn of the doorknob to line up my picture, they take flight.
     Things have been a bit intense in the Cresswell household the past month or so. "Stuff" has plagued us nonstop, but I can only praise God for the evidence of His presence and provision with each passing day and situation. However, I found myself worn down in the process, feeling the need for something to lighten the load and bring a smile to my face...just a little something.  I did not want, need nor could afford a trip "away from it all." I asked God for just one thing, and that request was for a picture of the ever elusive bluebird to add to my collection of photographs.
     The photo above is testimony to how God answers even our small, seemingly insignificant requests. And because God is so good, he provided me with an opportunity to capture a picture of not one, but a pair of bluebirds which now occupy the new bluebird house in our backyard. I was giddy as the smile on my lips turned into words of praise and thanks for the little "happy" God gave me.
     Sometimes God speaks the loudest in the smallest of things.  The message of His love for us, His children, is so clear and evident.  That the God of the universe had taken time to hear and give me this gift brought life and light to my weary being. I was reminded of how intimately He knows me and wants me to know Him,
     God will do the same for you. He has no "favorites" among His children.  You have but to ask, remembering that He delights in giving gifts to His children because He loves us. Jesus said,"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24
    What is it, no matter how small, that you would like to request of God? He is but a prayer away.  He knit you together in your mother's womb.  God already knows your wants and desires.  Maybe He is just waiting for you to draw close to Him and ask. Think about it. What will be your "bluebird." Go ahead, it's your turn now! 
To God be the glory!