Staff Thoughts

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14

There was a time not too long ago that I was asking that question so very often, knowing the answer is no and finding comfort in that.  But then the Lord brought me through the trial that was causing me to cry out and I began to forget…forget that of course nothing is too hard for the Lord…forget that He gave a son to a 90 year old woman and 100 year old man…forget that God works miracles everyday.

My idea of a miracle may seem very different from yours.  The troubles that are causing me to cry out in desperation may seem inconsequential to someone else. But, I know that they are not inconsequential to the Lord and I know that nothing is too hard for him.  I know because He reminded me by giving me a miracle in 5 minutes…

My car needed to be repaired for a few months, but I kept putting it off because I didn’t have the money to do it.   I don’t know why, but yesterday, I finally made the call to the mechanics to see if they could check it out.  I was pretty sure it was the same problem I had repaired last year and hoped, because it hadn’t been too long since the initial repair, that maybe it would be under warranty.  The mechanic said he would check it out and look into the warranty.  Well, when I called to see what he found out; he told me it was the same problem as before and it cost $287 to repair it and it wasn’t under warranty any longer.

I immediately began to panic and cry (not on the phone though, I wouldn’t want the mechanic to think I was some crazy weeping woman).  I needed to go get my car, but I had absolutely no way of paying for it.  First, I called my mom to get some motherly wisdom and advice which ended with her ultimately telling me what I already knew…that I needed to pray.  So I sat in my office and cried and prayed.  I had know idea what to do and this time I didn’t try to figure it out before going to God.  I didn’t have a backup plan in case my prayer wasn’t answered immediately or exactly the way I thought it should be.  I said to God that I needed a miracle and I needed it in 5 minutes.  The shop was closing and I had to have a way to get my car.  After a few more minutes of tears and prayer, my friend that had been in a meeting here at the church came into my office and asked if I needed a ride.  He obviously saw my tear streaked face and when I answered him, I was pretty surprised at what came out of my mouth.  I simply said through my sobs, “I need $287.”  My friend very quickly said that he would pay for it.  At first, I told him no, that I couldn’t let him do that.  Then he told me that he and his wife had been very blessed and had been praying about where and how to give.

So, I let him do it.  I had humbled myself in sharing my need and I had to humble myself and allow him to give.  God does work miracles.  He worked one in my life in 5 five minutes.  We have to be willing to accept the miracle.  Sometimes, we think that God only works in certain ways.  We see what He has done in the lives of others and how He worked in the past.  We put God in a box and miss the miracles He is doing because they don’t fit into our preconceived ideas of Him.  $287 may not seem like a miracle to you, but it was to me.  God worked through my very kind and generous friend to meet my need right when I needed it met.  No plan or scheme of mine could have taken care of the situation.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory…”

I am so grateful for my friend’s generosity and his obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  I know that it was the power of God working through him.  I had no expectations as to how God would meet my need. I felt so overwhelmed and desperate as I prayed, and He exceedingly and abundantly answered my prayer. Looking back on it, I know it was God’s timing that had me call the mechanic yesterday.  He knew my friend would be in my office.  He knew my need and He knew my friend’s heart. I give God the glory for my 5 minute miracle.

Riann

Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff is my favorite blog. I also happen to think it’s the funniest blog ever! Granted, it’s really the only blog I read, but I figure, once you’ve found the best why mess around with rest. I hope to someday be some sort of female blogger version of Jon Acuff, making others laugh out loud at their computers and causing their co-workers to wonder “what is wrong with that girl.”

Today’s Stuff Christians Like, or SCL as us serious fans refer to it, was funny as always, but it was also very thought provoking. It’s about complaining…Yikes!! I am well aware, as is just about everyone that knows me, that I have a tendency to complain…a lot. Maybe it’s my melancholy/perfectionist personality or maybe it’s just that I’m a big jerk. But, no matter the reason, I really need to knock it off. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” See, even God is telling me to stop complaining. How can I shine as a light in this world if I am constantly complaining? My complaints and grumblings cast a shadow on myself and everyone around me, causing me to fail at one of the only jobs God gave me (us) to do…love others and love myself.

http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2011/06/complaining/#more-5234

Hopefully, this post from SCL will be a reminder to me about complaining. A reminder to cut it out and to ask myself “would I be willing to volunteer for that?”. If I’m not, then I need to shut my trap. As a volunteer, I know I hate it when people complain about the job I’m doing. And as a complainer, I need to remember that. I am going to try my best and pray that God will constantly bring this to my mind. And, if you happen to hear me complaining, feel free to remind me yourself

Riann

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