The Love of God in the Smallest Details of Life

Recently, I was once again the recipient of God's love for me. It amazes me to have those experiences where God uses a variety of people to show me how much He loves me by taking care of my smallest needs. I have spoken before about how my neighbors, family and friends have reached out to help me get back to myself during my time of grieving. Whenever there is a need, all I have to do is ask, and someone will come to my assistance.

But sometimes, when I have a need, God will just send someone to help me out. Taking out the trash and recycles is one example. I have some trouble with my knees, so although I can get the trash and recycles to their proper containers, it is difficult for me to get the containers to the street. Even though one of my neighbors is more than willing to help me, sometimes I hesitate to ask. But God helps me anyway. My neighbor often watches his son's friendly dog. If the dog is next door and I am taking the trash to the cans, he runs over to say hi. Then the neighbor comes over to check on the dog and ends up taking the trash to the street.

Yesterday, the dog wasn't home. I had quite a few boxes to get to the recycle bin. I was able to complete that task and get the trash to the street, but the recycle bin was pretty heavy. As I started to try to pull it to the street, someone who had been driving by, saw me, turned her car around and stopped to ask if she could help. Of course I gladly accepted the help and thanked her.

After she left, I thought about how amazing it was that God would encourage someone to do that. I am very appreciative for the woman who noticed me, turned her car around and stopped to help me. In my mind, she was showing me the love of God.

Then I have to ask myself and all of you, how can we all show God's love to others by filling some small need they may have? From my perspective, there is no need that is too small or too big for God to fill and He will use those who are willing to fill each one's needs. My challenge for all of us today is to look for ways that you can help another person: at the grocery store, the library, riding the bus, at work, at play, anywhere and everywhere you go look for opportunities.

I look forward to hearing from you concerning ways that you have filled another's needs. Let me know by entering your comments in the space below. God bless your efforts.

Divorce

I am not sure who I am writing this for, but I keep feeling like I should. If you are going through or have gone through a divorce, my heart goes out to you. I understand the pain, confusion, and lost dreams. I have been there. Although the picture of your life may seem bleak and hopeless, please be assured that you are not alone. Besides your friends, family, support groups, church family and or counselors that will help and support you, there is Jesus.

He is with you always. He understands all your pain. He loves you unconditionally and longs to comfort you through this difficult time. Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

To receive healing, the part you play in this equation, is that you must allow Him into your heart, into your life. Look for His help and comfort. The more you look, the more His presence in your life will be revealed. He is the only one who can heal your broken heart and give you peace that goes beyond understanding and strength to go on for another day. He can turn your mourning into dancing. "Fear not, for I am with you; be not anxious, for I am your God; I will strengthen you." Isaiah 41:10

My husband and I both had experienced difficult divorces. John was not one to listen to songs repeatedly, but after we dated for a while, he shared one with me that had ministered to him. He listened to it over and over and once I received the song, I did the same. Something about it encouraged and strengthened us. I have attached it below. If you are in a painful situation right now, I hope it ministers to you also. God bless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjMd52uQePs

Looking for Adventure?

There is nothing more exciting and adventurous than living life under God's direction. We may not truly know where we are going or how we will get there, but no matter what happens along the journey, we can know that it is our best interest and that God will see us through.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "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. Then you will call on Me and come to pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart."

When I read that Scripture, I was excited to know that God has a great plan for me to give me hope and a future, and that when I pray, He will listen. As I thought about what it means to seek God with all my heart, I thought about relationships with others, especially with the opposite sex. I can only speak from a woman's perspective.

When a man and a woman meet each other and find each other interesting and attractive, they start to pursue a relationship. As they do, it seems as if other people and activities pale in comparison to the time vested into your person of interest. You want to spend time with them and learn all about them. As you do, your relationship grows and your love for each other grows. You feel a commitment towards that person and a willingness to put that person first in your life.

So when I think of seeking the Lord with all my heart, I think of the human example mentioned above. Am I pursuing a relationship with God as fervently as I would a relationship with another person? How much time do I spend with the Lord? Am I trying to learn as much about Him and His character as I can?

As I begin to fall in love with Him, I draw closer to Him. That's exciting because He said in John 15:4,5, "Remain in Me and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." There's nothing I like better than the idea of the Lord abiding in me to lead me and guide me in the way I should go so that He can touch and minister to people through me.

As I reflect on my life, I realize that God has loved me with an everlasting love, even before I acknowledged Him. He has been patient and gracious to me. In the years since I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and pursued a relationship with Him, I have been aware of miraculous ways He has worked in and through my life. (Many of those examples are reflected in the posts I have made since I started this website.) I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to develop a relationship with our Lord, the creator of all the universe.

It seems that some people are hesitant to accept Christ as their Savior. They feel as if they would have to give up something that is important to them, or that they know what is best for themselves. If you are one of these people, I encourage you to pursue a relationship with God. You don't have to be afraid. I have heard that in the Bible, there are 365 times that it is said, "Fear not" or "Do not fear". I guess God realized that we needed to hear that everyday so that we can be encouraged to go forward without fear as we pursue a relationship with Him. The following Scriptures are just two examples

Deuteronomy 31:8 " The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

When I thought about how I could repay the Lord for all the good He had done for me, I realized that it would be impossible to do so, since He is the creator of everything. And then I realized that all God wanted was for me to love Him and have a relationship with Him, which would be manifested by me giving up my ways and following His commands. At that moment, I said, "Yes!" and never looked back. To me it was a win-win situation. God had what He wanted and He provided and continues to provide for all that I need. Praise the Lord!

So, how about it? Are you looking for a great adventure in your life? Are you looking for joy, peace, hope and love? Follow Jesus. In Matthew 6:33, Scripture says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." As I mentioned in a previous post, one day I was thinking about this Scripture, and I felt as if God said, "If you will put Me first in your life, I will put everything in order." Since my life was in a shambles at the time, I considered that to be a great offer. I put God first in my life, and He put everything in order. Hallelujah!