Take Care 'a You- by Amanda Elder Silvers

I'm borrowing the title of this blog from a movie quote.  A movie, in fact, which has nothing to do with the topic at hand really other than it came to mind when I was considering how I self care and how important it is that we all take time to do so.

In "Pretty Woman" there is a scene where Julia Roberts is moving away and leaving her best friend Kit.  Kit gives her an awkward hug and says that she hates goodbyes.  When she steps away from Julia she tells her to take care- to which Julia replies, "Take care 'a you." 

In this fast-paced world in which we live I feel it is imperative that we all take a moment to do something good for ourselves.  We need to remember to feed our spiritual selves as well as our physical and mental selves.  We burn on all 4 cylinders and very often may run out of steam before we've finished our unending tasks for the day.  As a mother and a woman who has recently reentered the work force I see firsthand how easily the hours of each day can quickly trickle through our fingers.  It seems we get up and rush out the door in a flash and somewhere between breakfast and bedtime we're expected to accomplish every goal set forth that day.  It can be overwhelming.

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is "Be still and know that I am God." That exquisite verse is found in Psalm 46:10.  What a wonderful statement, but what a seemingly impossible feat most days.  Life can be so loud.  My life seems to sit on volume level 96.  It's challenging between kids, and life, and money most days to quiet myself long enough to just breathe and listen to Him.  It's something I'm currently working on. 

I can't speak for the entire human race, but I'd be willing to say that most of us wear a lot of hats during our day.  We are mother, father, sister, brother, boss, employee, referee, taxi driver, sport fanatic, teacher, leader, play mate, judge, and policeman.  Each of us play a variety of roles from sun up to sun down and it can be taxing.  It's important that we each take time to replenish what the world drains from us each day.  How do we do that?  The first place to start would be in the Word of God.  He has provided us with the perfect manual for daily living.  There is no better salve for the ailments we suffer from the scrapes and bruises of life.  There is no situation we experience that He can't lead us through. 

The Bible as the inspired Word of God is our lighthouse in the storms we experience. In my Christian walk I find that I have times of really digging in and staying in daily communication with the Lord in my prayer life.  It is during those times that I feel most at peace and calm.

Another way I take care of my well-being is by talking with my closest friends.  I am blessed with a wonderful circle of people I can go to through anything. It is so helpful to be able to share my stresses and concerns.  Sometimes we just need to vent or bounce ideas off someone.  Many times what inwardly seems an impossible situation may look very differently to someone a little removed from the problem. 

I hope in the days to come we all will take time to spend a few minutes recharging our batteries.  Whether it's taking a nap, getting a manicure, or soaking in a bubble bath- let's let our bodies catch up with our minds.  Our spiritual beings must be nurtured as well.  While we're taking our quiet time let's grab a Bible and allow ourselves to be still...

Have a wonderful weekend. 

 

Faith is the Substance- Amanda Elder Silvers

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is this-

Hebrews 11:1

King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

As Christians the very basis of our entire belief system in Christ is faith based.  I dare say that most of us haven't seen Christ, we haven't had coffee with Him, and we haven't had Him over for dinner.  However, when we become a Christian and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we are filled with the faith and knowledge that He is as present and as alive as any one of us.  It's a knowing deep in your soul...unwavering and certain.  

 

"Faith" and "hope" have long been two of my favorite words in the English language.  The word "hope" became a cornerstone of my foundation during the years that my father was so very sick.  I hoped each day that he would get better.  I hoped each day that God would heal and fully restore him to perfect health.  One Christmas in the midst of his illness my mother gave to me and my sister these beautiful, silver rings with the word "HOPE" etched in them in black letters.  She asked us to wear those for him.  I've not gone one day without wearing that ring since.  Hope is a word which gives us promise and an expectation about the future and/or situations in our life.  We can hope for a promotion.  We can hope someone will be healed.  We can hope to win the lottery.  I realized in the midst of my love affair with the word "hope", however, that FAITH was an intregal part of the equation as well.  Hope and faith must coexist in order for hope to reach its full potential.  We can "hope" all day for something, but unless we truly have the FAITH that it is possible our hope is fruitless. 

 



The Word is full of promises to us as God's children if we will only have faith in Him.  He is our Maker, our Provider, our Strength, and our Savior.  He wishes for us to have faith in Him fully to provide our needs and the desires of our hearts.  Faith is what brings us into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Faith moves mountains.  Matthew 17:20 tells us that mountain moving is possible even in people who have faith just the size of a mustard seed. 

 

Faith is the evidence in our lives for the world to see that we believe in a power greater than ourselves.  We can't be wishy-washy in our belief.  We either do or we don't.  It's black or it's white.  You either have faith or you don't.  My hope for each of us is that we would continue to grow daily in our faith and in turn will see the rewards of our obedience.  Have a wonderful weekend, friends.  Grow in what you know.  Feed your faith. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Kind to One Another by Amanda Elder Silvers

It's been said that "It's a cruel, cruel world".  The older I get the more I find myself agreeing with this statement.  We seem to live in such a fast-paced society that I feel the "human" element of life often times gets lost in the hustle and bustle of each quickly moving day.  As a mother it seems that every moment of my day is planned before my feet even have a chance to hit the floor.  It's difficult to take time for the things we enjoy- a quiet cup of coffee, a moment in a favorite rocking chair, or a visit with our neighbor- when we seem to be on the go from sun up to sun down.  We live in a day of instant communication- text messaging, social networking, e-mails, etc.  Our generation is learning that instant gratification is not only possible, but very much expected.  We drive through a McDonald's and if we have to wait any longer than about 3 minutes for our meal of processed meat and greasy french fries we fall all too pieces.  Our days seem to be spent watching the proverbial clock.

In the rush of life, somewhere along the way, I think some people have forgotten the importance of nurturing our personal relationships.  We work at our jobs.  We work on our houses.  We work on our cars.  We work on growing our bank accounts.  We need to remind ourselves that our relationships with others require work as well.  The Bible is full of verses instructing us to be kind to those we know and even those we do not.

Eph. 4:32    
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Gal. 6:10
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

As Christians it is imperative for us to remember that each of us were created equally and in His (God's) own image.  He didn't make any of us any more special or perfect than the other.  He loves each of us just the same.  I remember a few years ago a phrase was sweeping our country.  Everywhere you turned, it seemed, someone was talking about "paying it forward".  I loved this movement in our country.  The premise was that if everyone would practice even just ONE act of random kindness and then the person receiving the kind act would then "pay it forward" to someone else.... well, then we would literally be caught in a avalanche of kindness.  What a wonderful thought!  I read accounts of acts as simple as paying for the meal of the person at the drive through window behind you to major acts of kindness which went above and beyond anything one would expect.  The point of the exercise is that if we get used to treating others kindly and in turn being treated kindly ourselves we can move mountains.  I'd encourage each of you to put this exercise to the test today.  It doesn't have to be anything monumental.  It doesn't have to cost anything.  You can take a piece of paper and slide a note to someone telling them how much you love and appreciate them.

Today let's start showing kindness to its full capacity.  Let's think before we speak.  Let's love instead of judge.  I wish each of you a blessed day and weekend.   

The Lesson of Long Suffering - by Amanda Silvers

A phrase that I find reoccurring in my communications with my friends of late is this, "We're never promised this is going to be an easy ride."  Boy howdy!  Now there's a statement I could write volumes about.

Long suffering is described as "patient endurance".  Patience is most definitely NOT one of my strongest virtues and endurance is something that I know the Lord has woven into the tapestry of my being.  Endurance isn't even an option or a choice.  It's a necessity.  As Christians we are promised in His Word that there is nothing too difficult or too tedious for us to walk through with His help.

Romans 8:28-29    
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Most of us during our time here will experience certain life events which put our patience to the test.  A death, a divorce, a crisis.... it is in these moments that our feet are held to the fire and required to make a choice.  We can chose to crumble or pull the covers up over our heads and try to keep reality out as much as possible or we can pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and put one step in front of the other and move....even if it's slowly.... moving forward.

Another lesson that's come into play in my own life personally is this- there is only so much we are able to control with our human hands.  The big picture is in His hands.  We can waste time frustrated and running around trying to orchestrate and rearrange issues in our lives or the lives of others which we don't understand or agree with, but the truth is those efforts are futile.  It isn't our "control" which matters.  We didn't create the universe.  We aren't gifted with omniscient power and wisdom.  It is only a Most High God Who has perfect insight.  We are merely human.  We have trials.  Our instruction is to turn to Him during these times and trust that He is in control. 

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.  He has given us His Word, our instruction book on what to do when things feels too much or too unbearable. In what I imagine as a perfect world we would all live together in harmony.  We would help those who were suffering and love those who were struggling.  There would be no judgment and no condemnation.  We would realize that none among us is any more important or special than anyone else.  God views us all the same.  We were all created in HIS image.  Not just a few of us- of you- ALL of us.

My prayer is that each of you will have a wonderful week and weekend.  Take time to be quiet and listen to Him.  Turn your cares and concerns over to the Father and let Him carry your burden for you.  He wants to so much.  All we have to do is ask.  Be blessed!

Love by Amanda Elder Silvers

"Love is a many splendored thing."  No other feeling or emotion can so thoroughly engulf one's soul that we are able to be transported to another planet through the euphoria of it or slammed down into the darkest pits of despair because of the heartbreak of it.  As a woman I love "love".  I appreciate the importance of it.  I enjoy both the giving and receiving of it.  I have seen firsthand the healing powers it possesses and I've seen the wreckage and the harsh aftermath of love gone bad or taken for granted. 

If you were asked to define the word "love" what would you say?  I could post a dictionary definition of the word, but I'd like for you to really take a second and think.  I love ice cream.  I love my children.  Is it the same?.... hardly.  Love can wear any number of faces and it can been seen through any number of actions.  First love.  Love lost.  The power of love.  The gift of love.  True love.  Eternal love.  I'm not sure there really is a right answer.  I believe that if we are blessed enough in our lives to have love then we base our definition upon our personal experience with it.

 In high school if asked to define "love" my answer would have most definitely been directed toward some boy who made my palms sweaty and heart race.  Books, music, and television all convince us that we are on a quest to find "perfect love".  <I've become a little hostile to the media because of this insinuation> In college my opinion was probably much the same.  Into adulthood however, after my children were born, my answer would become much different.  Enter unconditional love.  What an amazing thing to experience.  Before I even met these two little beings I loved them and would have given my life for them.  As a pregnant woman you eat healthy, you live healthy, and you're much more aware of your daily actions knowing now that everything you do won't just affect you, but this precious little being you have inside. Once I had the pleasure of meeting them I knew in an instant that the love I felt for them would never fade.  There is nothing either of those cute, loud, rambunctious little young'uns could ever do to diminish even 1% of the love I feel for them.  If anything it increases daily.

I like to think this is just a very small-scale version of the love God has for us, His children.  He was and is the supreme example of unconditional love.  While we were yet sinners, He loved us and gave His Son to die on a cross that we could have the opportunity for an eternal life spent with Him in Heaven.  THAT'S the most amazing love.  His love is the truest love and the one we should most desire.  The beauty is that we don't even have to do anything to deserve it.  He loves us even before we are born.  His love never fails. 

Psalm 136

Praise the Lord! He is good.
God’s love never fails.
² Praise the God of all gods.
God’s love never fails.
³ Praise the Lord of lords.
God’s love never fails.

⁴ Only God works great miracles.^[a]
God’s love never fails.
⁵ With wisdom he made the sky.
God’s love never fails.
⁶ The Lord stretched the earth
over the ocean.
God’s love never fails.
⁷ He made the bright lights
in the sky.
God’s love never fails.
⁸ He lets the sun rule each day.
God’s love never fails.
⁹ He lets the moon and the stars
rule each night.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁰ God struck down the first-born
in every Egyptian family.
God’s love never fails.
¹¹ He rescued Israel from Egypt.
God’s love never fails.
¹² God used his great strength
and his powerful arm.
God’s love never fails.
¹³ He split the Red Sea^[b] apart.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁴ The Lord brought Israel safely
through the sea.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁵ He destroyed the Egyptian king
and his army there.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁶ The Lord led his people
through the desert.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁷ Our God defeated mighty kings.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁸ And he killed famous kings.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁹ One of them was Sihon,
king of the Amorites.
God’s love never fails.
²⁰ Another was King Og of Bashan.
God’s love never fails.
²¹ God took away their land.
God’s love never fails.
²² He gave their land to Israel,
the people who serve him.
God’s love never fails.

²³ God saw the trouble we were in.
God’s love never fails.
²⁴ He rescued us from our enemies.
God’s love never fails.
²⁵ He gives food to all who live.
God’s love never fails.

²⁶ Praise God in heaven!
God’s love never fails.

(Source: Biblegateway.com)

I Never Claimed to be Siskel OR Ebert by Amanda Elder Silvers

I have always been a fan of movies.  There is just something about retreating to a dark, cavernous space, sliding back in a chair which hopefully reclines a bit, and getting lost for two or more hours in whichever world your movie transports you to.  I relish every element about the experience- the smell of the popcorn, the rattle of the secret bag of M&M's I've most likely smuggled into the theater inside my gigantic purse, the coolness of the air conditioner which usually requires that I remember to bring a sweater, and the tell-tale suction of the bottom of your shoes to the inevitable stickiness of the floor.  What's not to love?

As a general rule of thumb I don't have just one genre of movie that I enjoy.  Frankly I like them all.  I love a comedy which makes me laugh until tears are rolling down my face.  I always like a good drama as well as a sappy love story.  Much to the chagrin of my mother I even enjoy some horror- SOME.  A good movie, in my opinion, will take the viewer on an emotional journey.  Which emotion isn't nearly as important to me as the simple fact that the movie will make me feel something. 

From childhood I have very fond memories of being home one summer and watching a week-long marathon of old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies.  The dancing and the costumes were just magical to me.  I love the old black and whites and the classics like "Holiday Inn", "Meet Me in St. Louis", and "From Here to Eternity".  Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, and the old Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal movies made up a large part of my movie viewing from my childhood to teenage years.  Movies from those eras were fun and light and innocent.  Something you'd be hard pressed to find today.

My mother introduced me to the 1967 version of "Camelot" starring Vanessa Redgrave and Richard Harris when I was in high school.  The first time I saw it I specifically remember thinking I would most likely hyperventilate from the immense amount of crying I was doing.  This feeling was only matched by one other movie- my first viewing of James Cameron's "Titanic".  I literally sat in my theater seat a weepy, snotty, mascara-smeared mess and waited until the last person left the room before I even dared to rear my head. 

I agreed with many of the movies the other Kingdom Bloggers have mentioned this week.  I loved "The Sound of Music".  I have that soundtrack downloaded on my iPod.  No really... I do.  "Beaches", "Steel Magnolias", "Top Gun", "St. Elmo's Fire", and "The Breakfast Club" will always be classics to me from my generation.  These movies shot to popularity when I was in my teens and quotes from these movies easily squeezed their way into the daily dialogue between me and my friends: "You know I love you more than my luggage" has been uttered in my circle of friends since 1989.

At the risk of sounding like an old fogie I will close with this opinion.  I firmly believe the movies of today lack much of what was found in the movies of my youth.  I agree that the advances in computer technology have made movies much more visually stimulating, but I think sometimes the storyline comes in second place to the special effects.  Perhaps as a female I just have a different perspective on that.  Sometimes they do get the mixture right, though.  As much as I don't like to admit this outloud I actually liked "Avatar".  I like for my movies to have heart and a message.  That message doesn't always have to be sweet and flowery.  I just have to feel something, to learn something.  I see so much of "the world" in today's movies.  The number of movies I can't take my children to see FAR outweighs those which I can.  I'd like to see a large dose of morality put back into our movies and for my children not to grow up in a world which just assumes that premarital sex, cursing, and partying are the norm.  Okay, I'll now remove myself from my soapbox which is most likely permanently stuck onto this coke-encrusted theater floor. Would you mind to please reach into my massive purse and hand me my M&M's?  ;)

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. 

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction by Amanda Elder Silvers

One of my lifelong goals has always been that I would one day be a published author.  It's a goal (need, desire) that burns deep inside me and gnaws away quietly at my soul.  It has since I was a child.  I've given much thought to what type of book or books I would like to put out there for the general public, but I'm fairly sure it would be a biographical account of my life.  I could do a devotional book or a fictionalized account of people I know or places I've been or dreams I've had, but the truth is my everyday life has provided me with enough material to fill a multitude of books.  I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction."  Well, in my case it certainly is.

In 42 years on this planet I've developed the ability to find humor in even the most horrific of situations.  I believe this little coping mechanism has helped to keep me sane for the majority of my life.  When my father died last year I was going through the most unimaginable grief with my family that any of us had ever experienced.  For most of the time we all felt as though we were having an out-of-body experience.  Your loved one dies and then you are forced to go into overdrive planning, organizing, and scheduling the funeral arrangements.  How ironic it seemed to me that during a time you are literally in zombie mode you are being required to make huge, important decisions.  I would recommend having death/burial arrangements written out well beforehand so you won't feel you are floundering quite as much as I did.  Anyway, I digress... The day after his death my mother, sister, and I go meet with the funeral director's assistant about arrangements.  This KID, and I mean KID, is doing the best he can, but we've been told we are his first family, his "test" family.  Great.  We are in the middle of overwhelming grief and we're going to get to be guinea pigs.  Fabulous.  As he explains the details of what we can expect, expenses, and the cremation process we all sit somberly with our heads down soaking it all in.  That is until I hear the oddest word I'd ever heard fall off his lips.  He is explaining to us that our father's "cremains" can be picked up at such-and-such time.  My head tilts to the right a bit as I look up, eyebrows furrowed.  "Cremains"?  Is that even a word?  I shoot a slick side glance over to my sister who meets my gaze and instantly knows what I'm thinking.  We both attempt to suppress our delight in this much needed moment of comic relief and in unison see our mother attempting to telepathically calm us down, but we know she gets it too.  I think I even quietly pulled out my phone to Google the word.  Yep.  Sure enough.  It's a real word.  After we finished with the toddler in charge of funerals and all the paperwork was signed we walked outside and my sis and I giggled.  I said, "Cremains?!  You know the first thing I thought of when I heard that word? CRAISINS!"  We all three just fell out laughing and for the rest of the week "craisins" became our private password whenever we needed to inject moments of silliness.  I even sent pics to them from my camera phone each time I'd be in the grocery store and pass a bag of Craisins.  Odd?  Yes.  Funny and necessary?  Yes.

I could go on for days with such stories.  I've previously wanted to blog the above story, but decided I needed to get enough time between the actual event and the story so it wouldn't seem callous.  The beauty of it is my dad knew and loved me.  He would have been cracking up right there in that room with us.  That's how my family has always been.  I wouldn't change a thing about that. 

Over the years I've accumulated numerous blogs and stories about my family, friends, college years, childhood, and life.  I've got stories about a first date I went on which involved picking up a dead body from a funeral home in Atlanta (all of my stories are not funeral based, I promise).  I have stories about medical experiences which were hysterical and I've written much about the people I love. 

I've often envied authors like Stephenie Meyer who can pen all-consuming stories of vampires and werewolves.  I've not been successful at fiction.  I'm very much an in-the-present person and my writing style reflects that.  I hope to one day write a book which the world will get to read.  My hope is that it would bring a moment of laughter to someone who may be having a bad day or perhaps one of my shared experiences will resonate with someone going through something similar.  I pray that God allows me this wonderful accomplishment.  I know if it is in His plan He will show me the way there.  To any of you readers who like to write, I encourage you to continue.  I've found no better way to cleanse my inner self of stress and sorrow than putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.  Writing truly is a gift in that it gives something back to each of us.

Beyond Riches

In being asked this week to discuss the best 3 things money can't buy my knee-jerk reaction was immediately to think of my children.  My children, Ava and Elijah, are the greatest reward I have received in my lifetime.  I'm one of those women who from very early on knew that I wanted to be a mother.  What greater joy could there be than being an active participant in what I personally believe to be one of the biggest everyday miracles we are allowed to see here on Earth?  Creation is fascinating and mystical to me.  These two very specific children are here because God ordained them to be and for no other reason.  I'm honored to be their mother and I take the role seriously.   

Psalms 139:13
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

How cool is that?!  I love the concept that we were perfectly created and He knew us even before we were in our mother's womb. 

The second best thing in my life is probably my relationships with friends and family.  I'm a very social bird and without the constant influx of human interaction which my day entails I'm fairly certain I would have already ended up in a straight jacket or tied down in 5-point restraints somewhere.  People are my therapy.  I am fortunate to have surrounded myself with a witty, wise, kind, and compassionate group of people.  We are all straight shooters and tell even the hard stuff to one another, but in the kindest of ways.  My family- mother, sister, aunts, and extended family- are exceptional people.  I realize this is a little onesided, but I promise... they are.  I've never had to doubt their love for me or their desire for my peace and wellbeing, just as I desire for them.  My circle of girlfriends is a lovely mixture of women from all walks and we thoroughly enjoy sucking the marrow out of life.  We are completely, overly analytical and most of our visits turn into therapy sessions or future blog topics.  I've surrounded myself with people who have the same love for Jesus that I do and it's comforting to have that common ground to gather upon and regroup. 

The final item in my list would have to be "peace".  Peace is something which I couldn't put a price on, and quite frankly, has been absent in my life for several years now.  Peace is a desire which I have for myself and one that God and I discuss often.  In the last 16 months my father- whom I adored- passed away from a very unpleasant, rare, and cruel disease called CBD (corticobasal degeneration is much like Parkinson's and Alzeheimers) then four months later my husband of 9 years had me served with divorce papers.  The last year and a half has without a doubt been the most trying of my entire adult life.  I've had my moments of weepiness and "Why me, God?" and I'm certain that without my two above mentioned blessings (children and friends/family) I would have crumbled into a ball of despair.  The comfort in going through stress and trauma as a Christian is that I always know I'm not alone and I always know- even when it feels far away- that there is an ultimate plan for my life.  I know God wants His children to be blessed and to have prosperous lives.  I hold on to that promise.  No, as one who has been without it on a consistent basis for a while now, I can promise you that peace can't be bought and it is something I actively and prayerfully work to achieve. 

It is those things in my life which money can't buy that have taken on the greatest importance and value.  God bless each of you.  May He remind you this week of what is truly important.

Let Me Introduce You to My Jesus

I am thrilled beyond words that I've been asked to contribute to this purposeful blog.  Thank you so much for the invitation and honor.  I feel I should give a brief background to offer a little insight into my relationship with Christ.  I spent fourteen years of my life being a staff kid.  My father was the business administrator at one of the largest Baptist churches in Arkansas.  I came to accept Jesus as my personal Saviour when I was ten and have grown up with an understanding of the responsibility we all share when it comes to leading others to Christ.

Mark 16:15 ESV    
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation..."

        
As Christians we are created to serve two primary purposes.  The first being to worship and give praise to our Lord Jesus.  The second being to lead others to Christ.  Evangelism was an integral part of our church's foundation and many classes were offered to help teach Christians effective witnessing techniques.  I remember many nights overhearing my parents and their friends practicing and studying their "Evangelism Explosion" notebooks in preparation for the door-to-door visitations which would start upon completion of training.  My parents and their friends memorized verses, knocked on doors, and presented the Gospel to any and all who would listen. My most vivid childhood memory, however, of my mother telling someone about Jesus had nothing to do with a planned presentation.  It happened instead at our local grocery store.  I was about nine years old and standing in the checkout line with her.  A young mother with her two children was standing in front of us frantically trying to count out change for her milk as one of her children was crying inconsolably.  Even I picked up on her distress.  She was coming up short and the cashier was being neither kind nor patient with her.  My mother quietly stepped forward and said, "Let me buy your milk for you in the name of Jesus.  It's what He wants us to do for one another." That tiny snippet in life made a lasting impression and taught me that even in our gestures and actions we are given the opportunity to tell others about our God.  It doesn't have to be a perfectly-scripted scene and we don't have to be Biblical scholars to do the task which is set before us.

In my teenage and adult years I've been blessed by having the experience of getting to pray with several people as they accept Christ.  Sometimes it has been a situation where I feel God telling me very clearly to speak to someone and other times it is more subtle, quiet.  About five years ago I was feeling very convicted that I hadn't lead anyone to the Lord in such a long time.  I told God that morning that if He would open the door for me to speak to someone I'd be more than happy to do so.  I was having a yard sale that particular day and spoke to all of the visitors who came into my yard.  A girl I had never seen before came up to discuss a picture of mine she was wanting to buy and I noticed cuts and scrapes on her arm.  I asked if she was okay and she went into a lengthy story about a car accident she and her child had been in just a few days earlier.  She said to me (and I PROMISE this is exactly how she said it), "It's a good thing we didn't die cause you know I'm not a Christian and all..."  My mouth literally fell open.  Are you kidding me, God?!  I get the message loud and clear!  I asked her to wait for a second, turned around and marched into my house, came back outside with my Bible, and read John 3:16 to her. Sitting right there on my white porch swing this sweet girl prayed to receive Christ.  I was so happy for her and thrilled that God had so clearly set this up.  As Christians we are happiest and have the most joy when are living in the fullness of His plan for us.  I was so thankful to know that in that moment the fullness of His plan for me that day was being accomplished.

Several years ago I was praying for a friend who was very ill, dying in fact.  In an effort to coordinate her friends and family from across the country I decided to start a Facebook prayer group for her.  Through no reason other than the amazing power of Jesus this prayer group in less than a week grew to over 800 members.  People my friend didn't even know from all over the world were praying for her.  God healed my friend and allowed this wonderful prayer group to become the foundation for "Church Without Walls (the not-so-small small group)" on Facebook.  I described it as an "uncommon common ground for people to meet on Facebook" and encouraged people to "check their denominations at the door".  It serves as a place to meet and leave prayer requests and share testimonies of what God is doing in their lives.  After seeing God move through the prayer group in such a palpable way it was obvious that His work needed to continue.  This group has been life changing for me in ways that I never even expected.  I realized a new-found accountability to the people I was writing to through the devotions and songs on that site.  When Jesus is speaking through us and using us as a tool we must be sure that we are living up to that privilege.  I've had days of struggle with this, days I didn't feel "worthy", but the beauty of the Lord is that He is always loving, always accepting.  He died for us and wants to spend eternity with us.  That's the Jesus I want people to get to know.  In the age of social media we are able to reach miles beyond where our legs could carry us.  That's one reason I get so amped up about groups like Kingdom Bloggers.  I can't imagine a more productive use of the Internet than bringing people into His kingdom.

We are called to share the good news of our Lord through our word and our actions.  Whether it be face to face, on the phone, or through the computer God wants to use each of us as His mouthpiece.  Pray that He will provide the opportunity.  I promise He will bring it to you.