Today began a little earlier than most days because my hubby had given me a few chores to complete before I leave for Chattanooga tomorrow. You know -- practical things I don't think about like replacing the windshield wiper blades and getting an oil change. So, there was no loitering around my house this morning. This retiree got straight up out of bed, jumped into the shower, dressed, and left promptly without eating breakfast. I did however take my medicine.
On the way into town, I did not stop and get the windshield wipers because I didn't want the man at RBC auto parts to have to replace them in the rain. Maybe it won't be raining this afternoon. I also did not get my oil changed because the whirling in my stomach reminded me that I had taken my medicine without eating. So, I decided to try out Jim's favorite morning eatery - Arby's.
Since it was raining, I decided to go through the drive thru. I usually don't do breakfast out and didn't really know what Arby's had to offer, so I was going to have to study the menu.
Usually, that invisible entity inside either has a nasally impatient voice, a rapid fire machine gun tone that leaves you wondering how much you owe, or a loud disinterested megaphone that leaves an impression of, "Why are you bothering me?"
This morning was different. Instead of the usual voices, there was softness and politeness and beauty and sensitivity and patience. As I drove up to the window to pay, I smiled and thought, "What a beautiful voice!" You see, this morning I was fragile. I didn't need those other voices.
Soon a wrestling match occurred. I have these little people that are firmly attached to both of my shoulders. One says, "Do it!" The other cries, "Don't. You'll be sorry." This morning the "do it" won out.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a lovely voice?" BIG SMILE -- "Yes, a man who just drove through said the same thing." "Well, you do. You have a beautiful voice, and I thank you."
As I pulled away from Arby's drive thru, I was so thankful to God for this not-so-small gift and remembered Paul's thoughts in 2 Corinthians 2:15. WE ARE UNTO GOD THE SWEET FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST.
Christ has given each of us His Spirit, and His Spirit transforms all that it touches. So, everything about us can be usuable and consecrated for His service.
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. These gifts are given to each of us as a means of helping us all. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said . . . So if God has given you the ability to prophecy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly . . . Under the Spirit's direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (1 Cor. 12:4+, Romans 12:6+, Eph. 4:16)
As we utilitze the gifts He has given us, we become God's gift to the body. What He has given one, He has given us all. There are no small gifts. "Whatever we have to offer owes everything to that which causes it to be (without Me ye can do nothing), yet God counts it as something." - Amy Carmichael
You know, it really is Christmas (Christ's mass) all year long. His gifts to us that we in turn give to others can be given every moment of every day of the year.
Thank you, God, for the woman with the beautiful voice for she was your special gift to me this morning.
On the way into town, I did not stop and get the windshield wipers because I didn't want the man at RBC auto parts to have to replace them in the rain. Maybe it won't be raining this afternoon. I also did not get my oil changed because the whirling in my stomach reminded me that I had taken my medicine without eating. So, I decided to try out Jim's favorite morning eatery - Arby's.
Since it was raining, I decided to go through the drive thru. I usually don't do breakfast out and didn't really know what Arby's had to offer, so I was going to have to study the menu.
Usually, that invisible entity inside either has a nasally impatient voice, a rapid fire machine gun tone that leaves you wondering how much you owe, or a loud disinterested megaphone that leaves an impression of, "Why are you bothering me?"
This morning was different. Instead of the usual voices, there was softness and politeness and beauty and sensitivity and patience. As I drove up to the window to pay, I smiled and thought, "What a beautiful voice!" You see, this morning I was fragile. I didn't need those other voices.
Soon a wrestling match occurred. I have these little people that are firmly attached to both of my shoulders. One says, "Do it!" The other cries, "Don't. You'll be sorry." This morning the "do it" won out.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a lovely voice?" BIG SMILE -- "Yes, a man who just drove through said the same thing." "Well, you do. You have a beautiful voice, and I thank you."
As I pulled away from Arby's drive thru, I was so thankful to God for this not-so-small gift and remembered Paul's thoughts in 2 Corinthians 2:15. WE ARE UNTO GOD THE SWEET FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST.
Christ has given each of us His Spirit, and His Spirit transforms all that it touches. So, everything about us can be usuable and consecrated for His service.
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. These gifts are given to each of us as a means of helping us all. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said . . . So if God has given you the ability to prophecy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly . . . Under the Spirit's direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (1 Cor. 12:4+, Romans 12:6+, Eph. 4:16)
As we utilitze the gifts He has given us, we become God's gift to the body. What He has given one, He has given us all. There are no small gifts. "Whatever we have to offer owes everything to that which causes it to be (without Me ye can do nothing), yet God counts it as something." - Amy Carmichael
You know, it really is Christmas (Christ's mass) all year long. His gifts to us that we in turn give to others can be given every moment of every day of the year.
Thank you, God, for the woman with the beautiful voice for she was your special gift to me this morning.
-Debbie Handy
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