Dear God, Will Work For Food….

Dear God,

While shopping for school supplies, we decided to go to Sonic drive-in for a late lunch on Wednesday.  After a busy day, then heading to Target, we were all pretty hungry and since we love eating there it sounded like fun.  Only while we sat and ate we peered out the van window to see a woman standing in the parking lot across the street with a sign, “Will Work for Food!”  We all just peered out the window trying to determine what state of mind this woman was in. I feel sure it takes a lot to muster up the courage to stand out in public declaring that you don’t even have enough food to eat. My sister spoke up first, and said,” Lets go see if we can give her some money for food.” All I could think of was how entirely blessed that You have allowed me to live. I have all of my needs and most of my wants. While we leisurely shopped for school supplies and then thought nothing of grabbing lunch at a restaurant, this poor soul was carrying her possessions in a black trash bag and starving.

It didn’t take long for everyone of us to quickly finish up so that we could go and help her. My sister reached into her wallet and grabbed some money so that this lonely woman could have a hot meal for her dinner. Spencer reached for his wallet and took his last $5 out and rolled down the windows. We approached the woman and as we handed her the money, she became emotional.  Her first words were, “God bless you all so much.” Spencer and Cooper both told her that she was welcome and Sis told her to make sure she got something good to eat tonight. She quickly answered, “Oh, I definitely will.” We all felt the tears welling up, and as we were about to leave Spencer said ” We will be praying for you too.”  I know that I have always taught my boys to be caring and considerate, but I have to admit that I was so proud that they knew that even more than helping her financially, they would support her spiritually also.

This was certainly not the first time that we were given the opportunity to help someone with similar needs. I recall when the boys were very young. Spencer was about three years old and Cooper, still a little baby when I spotted a middle-aged man  with a sign stating that he was hungry, could you please help. At the time, our budget was so stretched that we were trying to turn dimes into dollars. But, when I felt so compelled to help this man, You gave me an idea. So I returned home and propped Spencer up against the kitchen counter standing on a chair. I got out some bologna and some peanut butter and jelly. Together we made four sandwiches and bagged up some chips and cookies. Then I raided the linen closet for a warm blanket and grabbed a small new testament bible. We headed back to the car and went in search for this same man. When we found him, I wasn’t sure how in the world I was going to reach him in the Greenville Avenue traffic. But, Your ways are higher than mine could ever be. Just as we came upon him, the traffic light turned red and there were just enough cars in front of me, that put me smack-dab in front of him! I rolled down the windows and we gave him the bag filled with food, and the bible, and Spencer handed him the blanket. The man was utterly speechless.  He too became emotional and then began to thank me in disbelief. He said that our kindness would never be forgotten. I still think about this man from time to time and wonder what ever became of him.

A similar thing happened one day when I took Cooper to Burger King for a quick lunch. We saw a woman with a sign asking for food. She was with her dog and sat looking very weary as each car simply passed by and looked away in disgust. This time it was Cooper who asked me if we could do something to help her out. He asked if we could get extra food in the drive-thru window and take it to her. We certainly did, and upon pulling away, we watched in the rear view mirror as she fed the hamburger to her dog. While I couldn’t understand this at first, I began to understand her mentality. She was poor, homeless, and hungry, but she also loved her animal so much and she couldn’t bear to see it starve in front of her. That was probably the only “family” that she had.

I am reminded that it is not up to us to determine what others do when we help them, but that we are simply called to help. If someone chooses to not accept the gift, then  at least we have treated them with kindness and generosity. I am reminded of the story of how You tried to explain this to the disciple’s. You told them that You were hungry and they did not feed You. When they did not fully understand, You explained that if we do it unto the least of men, then we are doing it unto You. For I know that You died upon the cross for every man, woman, and child. That there is no one that You want to perish. Your love is so vast that every person will be filled with the joy of the Lord and can fill their hunger with the bread of life.  Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Jesus, I know that there are so many around the world who do hunger every single day. It breaks my heart to see them and hear about them on the news. I love that we have the opportunity to serve You as missionaries in every corner of our earth. John Chapter 6 tells us the You are The Bread of Life.  In verse 33 You explain that “The bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.

In John 6:35 you told us, “I am the bread of life, he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”  Truly we are blessed to know that You are the bread and water that nourishes our hungry souls and fills us with a satisfaction that can not be obtained by food alone.

I am so very grateful to know that I will sit at the table one day with my King. To feast  upon the goodness and mercy that will avail. When You will reign with power and authority and no man will ever know hunger again. Psalm 107:9 says, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

My cup runneth over, and my soul is filled with Your love,

Gina

Dear God, Let the little Children come unto Me

Dear God,

As I read the newest update on baby Tyson this morning, my heart literally sank deep within my chest. It is so hard to grasp the concept that this precious little one may not have a future here on earth. I can not allow myself to think that. His smile brightens an entire room. His laugh is contagious, and his love is felt like a tangible blanket that warms all those whom he shares it with.

I know that Summer and Jeremy are such wonderful parents and You have blessed them with three amazing children. They are so happy and their family bond is unbreakable. They will truly have to draw upon the strength of their loved ones for the support to endure this next round of treatments.

Matthew 19:13-14 reads, “Then the little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Truly Tyson belongs to the kingdom of heaven, and we have to believe that Your hand is upon him and that nothing of this world can take that bond away. Understanding this situation is not required, but accepting that You know every beat of our heart and the number of hairs upon our head is key to understanding Your dominion over man. For each and every soul of Your children is priceless to You.

Matthew 18:4 says, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

I know that we are all Your children. You loved us so much that You sent Your only Son to die for the sins of all, so that we might inherit the gift of Salvation and eternal life. Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s Children. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

This precious child has already touched the world with a fervent love and innocence that brings joy to anyone who has the honor to meet him. I pray that no man, woman or child will come in contact with Tyson….that can walk away and not be touched by his spirit of joy and happiness.

Oh Lord, I pray for wisdom for the doctor’s and specialist who will treat Tyson and whom will be amazed when a miracle happens before their very eyes. No man can explain the wonders of our almighty God. No explanation is necessary for those who put their trust in Your hands.

In 1 John 3:1 it reads, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”  This says it all…..for our Father is great and his love endures forever and ever.

Praying for miracles– that man can not explain,

Gina

Dear God, Identity Theft

Dear God,

It’s as if the world is playing hide-and-go seek with moral integrity. There seems to be no limit on the span of criminal intelligence. We are being forced to shred our documents and utility bills before we deposit them into our own kitchen trash cans. We have to protect our identity with passwords, and encrypted software. In today’s age we all practically live on our computers. We are so entrusted to them, that we pay our bills, share our secrets, mentor relationships, and for many, it has become their source of income.

Potentially this wondrous new generation of computer dependant people will have to admit that everyday is a new threat for identity theft. If someone can assume the identity of another, then they have the ability to form a new beginning for themselves and eventually ruin the history of their victim. I have heard stories that are truly unbelievable, and leave me wondering if I could be next…..

Your word describes for us the end of times, and how the great deceptive one will try to steal the identity of You, Jesus Christ. He will deceive many and will ultimately defile the throne and blaspheme Your holy name by declaring that he is God. The audacity that it will take is unimaginable, but if Your word prophesies this, then there is no doubt that it will happen. While nay-Sayers accuse Christians of taking the persona of the anti-Christ too far, I truly believe that Satan is waiting for, what he believes, to be perfect timing to gain the trust of the world and receive their worship.

The true identity of Christ is unwavering, and I know that there is only ONE God and ONE Savior. Only one man was born of a virgin, lived a blameless and completely holy life and then died a violent death upon the cross, all so that others may live. Jesus, Your identity can never be matched by another. No thief or devil can assume the holy of holiest and save this world from doom and destruction. No one, but the true identity of Jesus Christ, yourself.

I await with a hungry heart for the only true identity that forgave me of my sins, and gives me hope for an eternity with my beloved. The thief that stalks his prey will only meet with disappointment and despair when the day arrives and he will be cast into the pit for his eternity.

I pray now for anyone who has been a victim of this malicious and ever-growing crime. I pray that with time they will resume their lives and give the glory to You.  There is no theft like the one that takes us prisoner from Your destiny. Our hearts and minds can be innocent and free from the bondage that consumes the selfish.

May the identity of the most High God always reign within my heart and fall upon this broken world. May each day be an opportunity to live for You and identify with the one who gave us life and love.

May the identity of Jesus be found by all,

Gina

Dear God, Take these wings…..

Dear God,

As I lay awake last night unable to sleep, I was so comforted that my prayers were able to fill the void of the darkness of the night. I felt an overwhelming desire to pray fervently for the Woody family. Tyson has been brought to my thoughts so often, it feels as though this child’s love is radiating onto everyone that he touches. His testimony will be strong and powerful one day, I just know that. Your love for Your own children is never uncertain, but the powerful knowledge that gives us the strength that we need to meet are doubt and triumph with Your victory.

I know that each and every person that is a part of a family,friendships, neighbors, or social aquaintences, most are going through a hardship right now. There is always some sort of trial that we face as Christians. It took me a long time to realize that “that is exactly what Satan wants”. His goal is to tear apart the tie that binds our Father to His children. Your death on the cross paid for our sins and that is a gift that is priceless.

If he feels that he can cause discouragement in our faith, then we will fall for his temptations. Your word tells us that You care for every one of us, for even the birds of the air will not fall to the ground unless you allow it. I know that You will also renew our strength. We will soar on wings like eagles. Isiah 40:31

Jesus, I pray that You will take my wings and renew my strength. I pray that I will soar like an Eagle through the sky as my journey for Your directions takes flight.

For if we do not attempt……We can not succeed

For if we do not challenge ourselves….We will never know improvement

For if we do not fail……we can not know the glory of triumph

And if we do not leap from our protected nest of life…..We can not experience the flight of our potential wingspan. Your love is the greatest gift that provides, peace when fear sets in, wisdom when doubt prevails, and hope when all seems lost.

Nothing is too great for my Almighty God! Just as Boaz was able to proclaim of his beloved Ruth in  2:12, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, under whose “wings” you have come to take refuge. Jesus, You are my refuge and my beloved. Thank You for loving me!

In Psalms 17:8, David says “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your “wings” from the wicked who assail me, and from my mortal enemies who surround me. David had a heart that loved You dearly and even in his times of shame and temptation, he still knew that he was safe in the almighty Wings of His Father.

Take these wings, and let me fly into Your loving arms of redemption,

Gina

Dear God, Untethered…

Dear God,

 This week has been so full of absolutely everything, that I want to praise You in the middle of every event, thought, prayer, blessing, and stress that came my way. Your love is always what brings me back to the reality of life when things seem to become so busy in our lives. Your love feels like a secure rope that invisibly connects my heart to Yours in the heavens. JESUS, YOU ARE MY TETHERED LIFELINE.  Sometimes, I feel like it is loosely hanging so that I can go and explore and try to find the paths in life that You would have me to travel. Sometimes I  feel like when the road becomes rocky and and I stumble, that the line becomes instantly tightened and the tether absolutely won’t break, even under extreme pressure. Jesus, You are my tethered lifeline that will never frey or break away. It is a promise of protection that came with Your love and devotion.

My life has taken so many twists and turns in my near forty-one years. But, I know that Your mercy and grace is sufficient for every need and for every beat of my heart. Your love has been there to soothe the ache of death and tears that flowed from the loss by which I didn’t think I could recover. Through relationships and the joy of giving birth to my beautiful boys. You have always seemed to keep the connection between us so real, and so comforting, that even in the storms of life, I knew that I was completely safe in Your almighty care. The lifeline….the “tether”…that connects Your love to my life is so strong that nothing of this world could ever divide it.

Even now, when my health is becoming an issue of daily constraints again, I will honor You and keep Your words of wisdom and peace within my heart. I know that there is nothing that this world can throw at me that can not be veered with the hand of a Savior, and the strength of the tether that aligns Your children.

I pray for all of my friends and family, that I love so dearly, who need comfort, love, advice, companionship, a shoulder to cry upon, or an ear to share their joys. I pray for all of the teachers, and school staff that will be returning to work in the coming weeks. May their love of children and their gift for teaching bring new life into the students as they embark on a new year of learning and knowledge. May our knowledge in Your word and ways increase in each of us as well, Lord.

Thank You Christ Jesus, for the strength that only a Father could provide. May my connection to You..NEVER..become untethered. May I never loose my grip on the line to my heavenly Master who sits  upon His throne and awaits the day when You shall call Your family home for an eternity with the King of Kings.

Living tightly tethered to Your love,

Gina