Living By Example
28 Feb
Sometimes I feel as if I’m the resident sunshine advisor here at Laced with Grace. My words sit before you once a week and, more often than not, leave you with a message to love yourself as God loves you. I tell you to forgive those who have hurt you and move beyond the pain they may have caused in your life, just as God would do. I ask you to accept those who may be difficult to love and to reach out and love them anyway. I remind you how easy it is to bring some joy, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, into someones life, just as God does for us on a daily basis.
Love. Forgive. Accept. Take action.
For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
Romans 11:29 NLT
I feel the need to exemplify what I write here by backing it up with a personal example.
Sometimes I fret over the coming of Wednesday. I know I have a responsibility to our readers and my fellow Lace with Gracers to come up with something intelligent and inspirational to share here. Yesterday was one of those “what in the world am I going to say tomorrow?!?” days. And as He always does, God shows me His way.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corninthians 14:1 NKJV
Last night I was up way beyond my normal bedtime and I began an email conversation with someone I have known online for many years. She shared with me something that she chooses not to share online about her personal life and it touched me a great deal. We started discussing a roadblock she had in her life regarding this situation and I spoke to her from my heart. I used my past experience as a mother and I shared with her my opinion of the decision she faced. When that portion of the conversation ended, she thanked me and told me how much I had helped her. She expressed how much my view of things meant to her, because of who I am (as a parent).
I felt joy knowing I had helped her deal with a troubled spot in her life. I do not know what decision this person will make, but I pray it will be the right one for her and for everyone involved. I would like to believe she will write the letter she questions and that single act will lead to great fulfillment for her and for the other people it affects. But that is my will, not necessarily His. I am satisfied to know my words helped. My experience enabled me to reach out and instill confidence and assurance in someone else. It was through God that I was able to bring some joy and ease the thoughts of one single friend. I thank God for working through me as He did.
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Phillipians 1:6 NKJV
Lord, I thank You for providing me with the words I struggled with for today. I thank You for showing me how You continue to work through my spirit and enable me to share Your love and kindness with others. I pray my mind and heart will continue to open up to Your love and draw me ever closer to You. May those who hurt find peace. May those who seek love find comfort. May those who need an ear find a late online friend to chat with.
This we ask in Jesus’ name!
When has Jesus worked through someone else to bring you one of His amazing gifts?
CJ…. That is what it is all about. Awesome …..
It is amazing, how you think “what am I going to write?” But the Lord always comes through! I enjoyed reading your words.
Blessings
If you listen closely, He will speak through people you least expect.
I once had a woman in Target say two words to me, “Treasure It”, and I got goosebumps and had a God moment. She was refering to my exasperation with my kids as I had been struggling all morning with them. I just stood back for a momeht amazed because suddenly things didn’t seem so bad. She just walked by with her cart, said those words and disappeared.
God is amazing how He intervenes sometimes when we don’t know what to say or do. I am trilled that you are willing to be His hands and feet this side of heaven…
I have had many people minister to me over the time, and I am glad that they were willing.
Praying for your little one’s tests tomorrow…
God is so good in his wisdom to teach us through his own example and from our experiences we can share and help others come closer to the Lord. Thank you for a nice post.
What a great example of living out your faith in ministering to your friend.