Have you ever had a thought or a desire that was so small that you felt silly saying it out loud? Something that was so commonplace for others but would be a big deal for you? Well yesterday I had one of those thoughts…something small. It was something that I could have easily done for myself, but where’s the fun in that? My thought? It would be really nice to get some flowers.
Sixteen hours later…
While I was in the cafeteria greeting the students and handling all things breakfast duty, a stranger approached carrying a tall glass vase with the words “Live, Laugh, Love” etched onto the side. The vase contained a lovely array of chrysanthemums, carnations, hydrangeas, lilies, and snapdragons. The lady was staring a crumpled slip of paper and looking a bit confused, so I asked if I could help. She looked up from the paper and said she was looking for Miss Traci. I said, “That’s me.” The she handed me the flowers. “These are for you,” she explained. “When I was walking up to the school, a man asked if I could take the flowers to the office, and they sent me in here.” So I thanked the unsuspecting floral delivery person and sent her on her way.
Do I know who the mystery man is? No. Am I going to launch a full scale investigation to discover his identity? No. He will reveal himself or be revealed if it is meant to be. Meanwhile, I’ll just share my takeaways:
My Best Friend is a silent listener to my private thoughts.
If He cares enough to answer the small, unspoken requests, will He not also acknowledge the requests that I have the audacity to decree out loud?
My Best Friend has subtle, gentle ways of reminding us that He is always near. And even if we don’t speak our hearts’ desires aloud, He hears us. Now that’s some “Blessed Assurance!”
DISCLAIMER: He hears those other thoughts, too! Govern yourselves accordingly.
“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” ~MSG
How many times have you heard the words, “You are blessed to be a blessing,” or “If He can get through you, then He can get it to you?” Our thoughts immediately go to financial blessings, and they should. But what if we extended the principle of shared blessings beyond our bank balances? Would the other areas of our lives be abundantly blessed? Think of law of reaping and sowing. In Galations 6:7, this principle was issued as a warning, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” But what if we used these words as a model for our dealings with others? Let me explain.
I’m not a gardener, but I know that if I want mustard greens, I need to plant mustard seeds, if I want tulips, I have to plant tulip bulbs, and if I want tomatoes, I need to set out tomato plants. I also know that I cannot plant beans and get corn. What am I saying? If you see a way to help someone, whether it’s by giving a kind word, a smile, or a testimony, do it. If you are skilled in an area in which you see someone struggling, share your knowledge. If someone is trying to get a new business off the ground, sow into it. If you want to reap love, you must sow love; if you want reap forgiveness, you must sow forgiveness; and if you want to reap peace, stop raising hell, and sow peace. When we learn to think beyond our finances and sow bountifully in all things, then we can be abundantly blessed in every area of our lives.
~ Prayer ~
Father God, thank You for your Word that gives us instructions for our daily lives. Help me to be mindful of the seeds that I sow. Take self out of the way, and show me the ways that I can help and be a blessing to others. Lord, You are the perfect example because You gave all. Help me to be more generous in my giving so that I can live a life that is abundantly blessed. In Your name I pray, Amen.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” ~KJV
As a child, my parents would give me instructions, a list of things to do and not to do, because of their love and concern for me. I would often get off task, not do the things I should, and do the things I should not. Without fail, I would always end up reaping the consequences of the disobedience I had sown. Inevitably, when I came to myself, I would admit that I was wrong. It was only in hindsight that I could see that my parents really had my best interests at heart, and if I had just been obedient I could have avoided a whole lot of trouble.
God takes on the role of a loving and caring parent. His Word is a set of instructions for our lives that, when followed, keep us in His will and out of harm’s way. In this particular scripture, He gave us three specific tasks and His reasoning behind them.
First, we are to rejoice, which means to be glad or take delight; evermore, which means continually, forever, or at all future times. Does this mean that we should be happy over tragedy? What about death or loss? Of course not! However, we should be confident and content in knowing that if God allowed it, He will get the glory out of every situation.
Next, we should be in constant or non-stop prayer. This does not mean that we are actually in the physical act of praying 24/7. It just means that we are being mindful of God and His perfect will for us at all times. In doing this, we are seeking God, asking for His input and His guidance, and strengthening our relationship with Him.
Finally, we should be thankful for everything, whether we perceive it to be good or bad. This not only shows that we are appreciative, but it is also our way of acknowledging the fact that He knows what is best for us. So, why should we do these things? It’s simple, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, which always originates from His love and concern for us.
~ Prayer ~
Father, thank You for Your concern for me. I know that everything that you ask me to do is because You want what is best for me. Help me to follow Your instructions so that I can stay in Your will. Cause me to be glad continually, talk to you constantly, and be thankful for everything. Amen.
A corner of the original vision/wishing board
A corner of the original vision/wishing board
For years I said, “I’m going to get my passport. I’m going to travel. I’m going to see the world.” I made a cute little vision board with pretty little pictures. I laminated it and everything! I did and said all the right things, but at the time I didn’t see it. Maybe I couldn’t see it because my lenses were smudged with the residue of my past failures and my feelings of inadequacy. As a result, my vision board was really more of a wish board or a creative piece of do-it-yourself wall art. But as it is written, despise not the day of small beginnings. I had planted the seeds even though the ground at the time was not ideal.
Over time, it seemed as if the things on the vision/wishing board were mocking me. When you’re in the dark place, your vision can get dim to say the least. The problem was no longer smudged lenses; I had gone totally blind. The doubt that had begun to creep in picked up a battering ram and came at me full-force. It got to the point that I just stopped looking at the board altogether. What was the point?
For a long time, every day was a struggle, but I just couldn’t let go of my faith. I began to reconnect with my Father. He began to remind me of the thoughts that He had toward me and the plans that He had for my future. Like any good father, He picked me up, embraced me, dusted me off and cleaned off my lenses. My vision was clearing up.
Fast forward a few years, and I began to make small changes in both my thinking and my doing. I started to be more conscious of the thoughts that I would think and the words that I would allow to come out of my mouth. I stopped saying “I’m broke, I can’t, and I’m not,” and I started saying, “I have, I can, and I AM,” with conviction. I exchanged my “ifs” and “one days” for “whens,” target dates, and goals. What a difference a shift in your mindset can make!
One day I finally gained enough confidence to face my original vision board, and guess what? The majority of scriptures, declarations, and dreams that I had placed on the board had been made manifest! Even from a broken and dark place where I lacked confidence, my soul recognized my purpose and the desires of my heart. God had restored the fallow ground without disturbing the seeds that had been haphazardly sown. However, it wasn’t until I started believing that I started seeing, and it wasn’t until I started seeing that I started seeing.
I still have the original vision board, and I have created two others. I am no longer afraid to say what I want. I no longer settle because I believe a little bit of something is better than nothing at all. I can have what I decree if it is within His will. I can set my sights on the ridiculous and affirm it. I am worthy and I am enough! I choose joy, I choose love, and, above all, I choose peace!
For years I said, “I’m going to get my passport. I’m going to travel. I’m going to see the world.” I can see it!
Intrinsically Traci Lynn 