Wednesday night the leaders of fall studies at our church had a little “Open House” to chat up our groups, answer questions, and sign people up to grow with us. I’m excited to be co-teaching a study on God’s Covenants. God is good and does good. It’s going to be rich!
While standing at the table (okay … I admit, I was leaning … maybe drooping …) a friend came over to chat. She wished me a happy bday and asked how I was. I gave her a nutshell version of Jeff’s illness, the time at the doctor/pharmacy, and (I think she could tell without me saying …) our lost sleep (Jeff does everything 100%, and coughing is no exception!). As she listened sympathetically, she held her infant/5th child.
Without hesitating, she said, “Let me bring you dinner tomorrow!” HER?? Bring ME dinner?? The woman with 5 kids/home schooling bring dinner to me who is just sending her 2 kids off to high school? I resisted. Strongly. She pretended like she gave up … and then came back around. She won. She won, because she has ordered her world in such a way that she said she already had meals prepared in the freezer, and she would pull one out and give it to us. She said that meals had so blessed HER FAMILY when the baby came, and she was happy to bless in return. I can’t overstate how blessed I was then … and again at 5:00 last night.
Isn’t it amazing how the gift of food lightens the load of a weary soul and nourishes the spirit, as well as the body? That’s what her meal did for me, and I’m so thankful she considered sharing and serving and meeting a need important to her. I’m so glad that, despite all of the people and things in her OWN world, she took time to notice the need in someone else’s world – my world. She blessed me.
Every good and perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father, (James 1:17) and He often uses other people to be the vehicle of delivering those gifts. It’s one of the ways He expresses His goodness and does good.
It’s a temptation when things in my life are going well to forget or not notice those who are weary and in need of nourishment, spiritually or physically or relationally. Oh that God would keep us in enough need to keep our hearts soft to those who hurt.
Tomorrow is the final day of my August S.O.S. project ~ Somalia On Saturdays. I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to slow down in the midst of your abundance and think, pray, and even give to those who are weary and in need of nourishment in Africa. The need grows. More die. People are crying out to God, and He may use us to deliver His goodness. I hope you’ll join me tomorrow in a final day of S.O.S. It’s not too late, if you haven’t taken a day yet. And if you can’t take all of the day, take part of it. Do what you can to show God’s goodness. Maybe this is the time you should forward this post to a friend and use your influence to invite someone else to SOS with us. Who could you invite?
Yesterday’s giveaway winner, chosen by Random.org is Jenny C, which happens to be very sweet, since she is my sister. š I’m going to say that might be more “divine” than “Random.” š
Today’s giveaway is something so special, so I saved it for last. Since we’ve been in Psalms this month, I want to give away a copy of the One Year Book of Psalms. It has been a cup of cold water to my spirit many times, and I’m smiling to think of one of my sweet readers being encouraged by the pages. To enter, just leave a comment today or Saturday (I’ll announce the winner Sunday) telling me one way God has given you a tangible reminder of how HE is good. It might be food, or it might be something else. Let’s praise Him together!
Tgalligher says
God has shown me so many times how He is amazingly good by all of the wonderful people He has placed in my life during our relocation.
Mary@The Calm of His Presence says
Thank you for the reminder to look for those in need & minister to them. There were so many people who helped our family after my surgery. Each one of them were a huge blessing from helping with transportation of my kids – guest posting for me on my blog š – to providing meal for us. God is Good and takes care of us in so many ways.
Mroberts4 says
God is good to give us sunshine after a long summer of clouds…HE knew just when I was done with coursework and parted the Clouds…HE is so very good to us!
MaryAnn R.
Zputty says
I had a food related reminder of love last spring.Ā My son had been in and out of the hospital on suicide watch- discovering a diagnosis of major depression at the age of 16.Ā A friend at work made sure I knew that she was thinking and praying for me and through our talks I found out that her son who was a senior in high school also was fighting some type of depression but wasn't getting therapy or formal diagnosis.Ā The mutual sharing helped but the day that she delivered a full dinner to our house to make sure that we had a night meal together was spiritually nourishing.Ā She reminded me that God wants us to be there for each other – even when we are having trials.Ā
LeAnn says
Hohw sweet it has been for God to orchestrate songs on the radio that apply for specific situations at just the right time!! Of course, friends seem to bring the sweetest tangible reminders!
Barbara Smith says
I recently changed my hoursĀ at work which brings me in atĀ an earlier time.Ā AsĀ I amĀ heading east on theĀ freewayĀ IĀ get to see the sun rise every morningĀ andĀ itĀ makes meĀ think of the SON and what He has done and a smile comes upon my face as I am driving to work!Ā Ā Ā
Cindy Bultema says
Congratulations Jenny C. on winning!Ā šĀ I agree with Julie ~ how divine!
Love to you both~
Cindy šĀ
Brenda Veinotte says
God provided me with a job out of the blue. He is so good and is supplying the money for my son's first year of college.
Mindy says
In the last week, everyone in my department at work was laid off — except for me!Ā Ā In this craziness, God has reminded me that he will take care of me and watch over me.Ā For those who were laid off, I have had a chance to speak to some of them about timing and how God's timing is always perfect.Ā We have seen that already.Ā One of the women was diagnosed with breast cancer the next day.Ā She got a very lengthy severance package and now she doesn't have to worry about losing a job while she gets treatment.Ā Perfect timing.Ā Another woman's son is home unexpectedly from Iraq for a visit.Ā She now gets to spend that time with him.Ā Ā Amazing.
Rach says
I have to pick just one? That's tough because I have seen God do some absolutely amazing things lately. Sorry, but I have to share a couple at least:) you know me…God has given me a new job, which I absolutely love. No stress. No drama. More opportunities. A Hugeblessing! God brought us back to Ohio 4 years ago-we never would've moved on our own. And He knew…so I could be here with my mom in her last months. And currently, God is doing amazing things in our home and marriage-repairing and rebuilding and providing. It's only by Him.Ā