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Finding God's Extraordinary Purpose in our Ordinary Events

God uses ordinary events to reveal His extraordinary purposes.

Just when you think you're going in circles in your everyday life, He can intercept your plans and make His ways known to you.

 

From my desk today...

 

There's a story told in the Bible–1 Samuel 9–of a young man who is engaged in ordinary family affairs. His father's donkeys have gone missing, and he is given the task (along with a helper) to go and find them.

The young man's name was Saul...and he had no idea that his search for a band of renegade donkeys would start a chain of events that would eventually make him king of Israel.

 

The mission takes the pair of young men on a frustrating journey all over the countryside.

 

I'm sure they were thinking, "where on earth could these pranksters be?" They would have been familiar with the inquisitive nature of the animals, and probably realized just how much ground the sure-footed creatures could cover.

After three days of looking high and low, they finally give up and decide to head back home. Without cell phones to use to check in, Saul knows his father will be worried. In one last-ditch effort to find the donkeys they seek out the prophet Samuel, who just so happens to be in the area, in order for him to inquire of the Lord of the their whereabouts.

Unbeknownst to Saul, God had spoken to this prophet the day before, preparing him for their encounter. He told Samuel exactly what would happen and how the young man would come looking for him, and that this tall teenager was the one He'd chosen to be king.

 

The scene unfolds just as God described it.

 

Samuel invites Saul to feast with him and then just before they part ways, he anoints Saul's head with oil. This sacred action marks Saul for God's purpose in a tangible way.

Saul, however, is still concerned about his father's donkeys, to which Samuel reassures him.

"Those donkeys? Pssh, don't worry about them. They've already made it safely home on their own."

 

The donkeys didn't even really need to be found.

Because God had had something else in mind.

 

You see, the real purpose of Saul's journey was not to find a group of runaway animals. It was to get him to a place of encounter with God. 

The task he was doing for his father was simply a means to move him into the right place at the right time.

It was when he was out of his comfort zone, his familiar surroundings, that God brought him face to face with what would be his true mission in life.

He was anointed for kingship right then and there.

 

I wonder if you, too, are on a seemingly insignificant journey?

Maybe your job is one that feels like it is going nowhere. You're wandering in circles, looking for your purpose, and yet somehow you know this is where God wants you. It all seems like such a waste of time and you're tempted to give up.

 

Perhaps God is moving you to place of encounter.

 

Perhaps, like Saul, God is leading you to moment of divine appointment. A place where your vision and purpose will suddenly come into full view!

Let me encourage you.

Watch and see: His purpose WILL unfold.

People and events will cross your path through divine appointments as you journey onward....things that would never happen unless you just keep going. Keep taking that next step.

 

God uses ordinary events in extraordinary ways. 

 

He is able to take a "seemingly insignificant" job and boom! use it to put you right where you need to be.

Proverbs 16:9 tells us that a person can think he's planned his ways, but God is working behind the scenes to direct each step.

I love that.

Tell me: have you ever encountered God's purpose in the midst of the regular affairs of your life? Have you ever said, "so THIS is why I've been on this journey!" ? I'd love to hear about it.

Do you feel like you're going in circles today, trying to follow God's leading but can't figure out what His purpose is? Let me pray for you, that you'd encounter Him in a way that will clearly show His care and design for you.

 

 

God still uses ordinary donkeys. Just ask Flash.

We Are Changing The World - An Update on the Dallas Family We Helped

When the world's problems feel too big, too serious, too impossible to handle...do you just sort of implode? Feel overwhelmed, and then immobilized by the immensity?

I do.

I feel powerless to do anything significant to help meet people's needs, and everything I can think of to do feels much too small and inconsequential.  

When I get discouraged and paralyzed by the the crises around me, I take a deep breath and realize, that though I may not solve the Syrian refugee crisis, I AM able to help ONE local family have a better life.

And YOU have helped, too.

It feels great to know WE'VE made a difference! 

Last fall I shared the needs of Toni - (name has been changed for privacy) a single mom of three who needed a place to live, as well as basic necessities to get on her feet. At first, it seemed like an interruption in my busy life.

 

But it turned out to be an amazing opportunity for God to work.

You guys came through in such a big way, and I want to give you an update on how you - MY BLOG READERS - a small band of sweet, sweet people, have made an impact.

You have changed their world.

 

Here are a few highlights....ENJOY!

 

Your generous gifts made it possible for this family to rent a small house RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from us! Furniture, beds and kitchen wares were donated, so they had enough to get settled. It's been wonderful.

And the kids? 

K. (girl age 11) completed 5th grade, and even though she had some catching up to do, she was able to pass her state testing to be promoted to 6th.  

K. rides her bike over everyday after school, and we get to have snacks and do homework together. This summer, she wants to build a Barbie dollhouse out of cardboard and craft materials, and has enlisted me as her team member. I have been issued a list of supplies to gather. :)

Looks like we will be doing a lot of gluing.

 

 

A. (boy age 12) finished 6th grade with flying colors. He played trumpet in the band, and made friends at school. He loves being able to go fishing on our pond with Tom. Here he is with a prize bass: 

A. even got to go to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He tagged along with Tom for a meeting and got inspired by the beautiful campus. SMU is on his short list of colleges he'd like to attend after he graduates! We are so proud of him, dreaming big dreams and thinking about his future.

A. is the most polite kid you can imagine....he is sweet, through and through.

 

 

 

M. (girl, age 17) finished her junior year of high school, and even attended prom! 

M. has such gorgeous eyes.  She is thinking of going to cosmetology school after she graduates next year...she loves doing hair and makeup!

 

 

Tom and I have learned so much about what love looks like this year.

 

One of the ways love looked like was personally making up the difference when there was "more month at the end of the money." Other friends stepped in to help in the months we couldn't quite cover the shortfall. Our goal was for this precious family to make it through the school year - without having to move and change schools.

This summer, we've invited the kids to have lunch at our house as often as possible - during the school year, they are able to get breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria - and summer presents a challenge keeping everyone fed. (I'm an awesome grilled cheese sandwich maker.)

Our next goal is to provide a way for Toni to go to Nurse's Aide school (or other career training) at a local college. We would love for her to be able to stay in the house she is in so that we can continue to be available as a support system. Currently, she is working at jobs with odd hours so it's important to have an open door for the kids as often as we can.

 

So, this post is really both "celebration" and "continuation!"

 

We've learned that getting on your feet is a long road, and not for the faint of heart. Toni would be first to tell you that she has battled discouragement and depression, fear, frustration, and anxiety, as she works to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. We have so much respect for the determination she has - to simply make it through each day.

 

Thank you once again. Many of you have asked how our family is doing, and I'm so happy to report on this wonderful year.

You have truly changed their world.

 

Currently, Toni is looking for someplace cheaper to rent, but I worry about what options are available. If we can help her stay where she is through this fall, she can attend school and immediately have an actual career, rather than having to rely on temporary minimum wage jobs.

If you are interested in helping, I started a new GoFundMe page so I could adjust the goal. In my ideal world, I wish that they could receive about $300/month for the next six months to cover the shortfall in rent and utilities. Tom and I will continue to do what we can.

 

 

Kindness, without burrs.

 

 The fields have been awash with white wildflowers this spring. 

 

Delicate petals, floating on tall stems – like sprigs of kindness pointing to love in the middle of untamed land.

At least, that's how I've imagined them.

Sometimes I get overly poetic. I am aware of this.

 

Up close, I discovered that there are two kinds of nearly-identical flowers, and both are awe-inspiring in their lacy beauty. 

 

There's this one:

 

And this:

 

I guess the reason I thought of these as "kindness flowers" is that I've been in a spot where I've had to choose to be kind in my interactions with a (sometimes) difficult person in my life. Seeing these petals somehow reminded me of how important my words and actions are. With their gentle dances in the breeze, they seemed to point me in the right direction.

 

The other day, I did what I thought was a kind thing. I gave something that I'd worked hard for to this friend, and in the moment I was happy to do it.

 

 

 

It felt like a caring gesture, because I do love this person.

And I should have just left it alone. I should have given the gift, enjoyed the love, and moved on.

 

But I didn't.

 

After I'd given it, I just had to make a small comment. A teeny one. Probably to make sure the friend fully appreciated the gift.

And you know, right then I felt quite satisfied in saying it.

I mean, it was just a comment–nothing harsh–said in the mildest tone.

But if I'm really honest, it was meant to rub... just a little.

And I'm sure it did.

As soon as the words were out, my self-satisfaction didn't feel so good. Immediately I wished I could retract them.

But of course, I couldn't. The damage was done. I could see it in her face.

 

For my friend, the once-kind gift now had a bitter aftertaste. 

 

 

 

I pictured my silly "kindness flowers" out there in that overgrown field. How beautiful they were, how they made that old pasture feel magical and lovely and special, if only for a fleeting season.

And suddenly, I realized that the two types of flowers were much like kindness after all, and not just in my mind. You see, in bloom, the two are almost impossible to tell apart. Both have clusters of heart-shaped petals with creamy centers. Both have many sprays of blooms on each stem.

Both are spectacular.

 

It's as the flowers fade, that the difference becomes clear.

 

Each one leaves something unique behind.

One kind leaves tiny little green flower hips - like miniature pomegranates on each stem. They are delicate and fresh and nourishing, and I've watched as small brown birds come along to eat them like delicious candies.

 

 

 

The other flower, in contrast, leaves behind burrs.

  

 

The burrs start out soft, even a little pretty, but they quickly dry on the stems and then tenaciously cling to your clothing as you pass by. It's almost like they jump onto you, and then somehow find their way into socks and seams - to irritate your skin long afterward.

Feeling a "kindness-burr" in an underwear seam, even after it's been through the laundry, makes you forget how lovely the flowers once were.

 

All you can think of is the prickly rub.

 

 

And it makes you distrust all little white flowers, even the ones without the burrs. They all look so similar, you can't tell which ones will hurt you.

 

Today, I'm reminded once again of the need for kindness–for love and for tenderness.... without burrs. Particularly in the wake of the terrible Orlando shootings.

 

I just keep thinking: we can take this moment to love better, can't we? Words and acts of kindness, especially now, are not tickets to preach, politicize or scold. Because when we do that, after the bloom fades, all that will be left is the prickly rub. A bitter aftertaste. 

Oh, I wish we could let love bloom for those who are hurting, for those who are grieving, and for those who are ostracized. I'd love for our kindness to leave seeds that nourish and strengthen, that build and restore.

We need it so much.

 

Let kindness heal, without any disclaimers or qualifiers.

 

Kindness without burrs is kindness that doesn't keep score. Imagine how it could change our marriages, our friendships, our communities, even our enemies...if we were simply nice to one another? Often we are so consumed with making our point, or taking the credit, or seeking self-satisfaction, that whatever lovely thing we once had becomes an abrasive irritant that's hard to remove.

 

Real kindness, on the other hand, sets love in motion.

 

It nourishes the soul with a listening ear, with a warm embrace, and with an understanding smile.

It looks beyond differences and sees humanity, and dignity, and worth.

It refuses bigotry, and pursues what is beautiful.

It's candy for little brown birds, who simply happen upon it in an old pasture.

 

Kindness is how love speaks.

It's the language of love.

 

 

So let's be kind.

Sometimes, it's what the world needs more than anything.