Oops!

I rushed in to work, my mind full of other things. One glance at my desk showed many things had accumulated over the long weekend. I immediately sat down to tackle them.

At 7:40 I happened to glance out the front door and saw a man standing there staring at me. He wasn't knocking but seemed to be patiently waiting...for something...

Suddenly it hit me! I jumped out of my chair and hurried to unlock the door and change the "CLOSED" sign to "OPEN". I sincerely apologized as I let him in. He didn't seem upset but was very gracious and kind as I proceeded to take his payment.

To me it was a picture of Jesus. He is so patient and kind, never in a hurry, never forcing His way in. When I don't get it right there is no condemnation but instead that quiet voice saying, "Come, lets go on together from here."

My Song

The beginning of this year God gave me this verse:

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future. " Proverbs 31:25

He knew how much I would need it. There has been one thing after the other that has made the future feel very uncertain, but at least I get to laugh a lot! Every time I think of the future (which is quite frequent these days) I laugh. I laugh because I KNOW my God. I know HIS plans for me are good. I know He is FAITHFUL and He always comes through!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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A few weeks ago I was at a meeting where some friends spoke God's truth over me. I was still deeply grieving the loss of my mother. The one word that was given was, "Sing your song."

This morning I was asking God what the song is that He's put in my heart. This was His quick reply, "The song of My goodness." So I will tell of His goodness.

It's about having deep relationship with Him. Feeling His heart beating for you. Knowing He is for you and not against you. Seeing Him work in every "little" detail of your life.

Outward circumstances don't always look "good". Honestly, right now I have no idea where I'm going next. There are many big, unanswered questions. Still there is a peace as I keep turning my face back to Him.

This song says it well: King of My Heart

The Real Question

I've often wondered if people like me. It may be my boss, or co-worker, or friends from church, or perhaps even family. It could be people I meet in the store, or children, or customers...the list could go on and on. I've tried so hard to be "likable" (whatever that means!).

Recently I realized I had it all wrong. The question isn't: Do they like me but do I like them? It really turned things around. The focus was totally different. It gave me hope. I can't change other people but I can change myself. 

I'm not talking about being nice on the surface and then talking about them behind their back, but really seeing them as the Father does. Asking Him to show you His heart for them. Treating them with honor and respect even when you don't always agree. 

It is much more productive to try and figure out if I like someone (and ask God to change me, if needed) than to try and figure out if they like me. 

And you know...if you like someone...most likely they will like you back.