Getting a Gift From Daddy

I learned something this week. A life lesson. Listen to God the FIRST time he tells you something! When God says that you should do something, when He tells you that you should change how you think...here's my advice...do it! Don't make Him say it twice, or three times, or in my case...probably at least 25. If not more.

I experienced God on Tuesday night like I haven't in awhile and it was awesome! I got to Bible study extremely early. And by that I mean...45-30 minutes early. So, in order to take advantage of all the time that I had before me, I decided to go sit in the room and spend some time with Jesus. That sounded so good! Just getting to spend time with Daddy. And that's when He gave me a gigantic gift and blessing!

Right before I walked into the room, I passed by a woman in the hall waiting by the elevator and smiled at her. As soon as I had sat down, and pulled out my Bible, she walked in and introduced herself to me. She was a Mary Kay consultant and offered me free gifts and a party and what not. It was nice...but that wasn't the best gift of all. She noticed how I had my Bible in front of me and asked me what I was doing there and what was going on. She thought it was awesome. Then the really awesome part happened.

She began to tell me about herself and how she dreamed of working with people and how she thought she was going to be an overseas missionary. But now she was a stay at home mother and worked for Mary Kay which has become her ministry. She has friends overseas, educating them on selling Mary Kay as well, and one day she wishes to do the same thing. Also, in college she was all about international ministry.  When she said all of that to me, I suddenly felt like the Holy Spirit was stirring in my heart. It made me think "Wow! Just because I have certain passion and desires, and just because I think God will use them in certain ways doesn't mean that He will".

God can do whatever He wants and in that same way, can put you where you least expect it. And it just might be doing something that you never dreamed of, like using what you love and are passionate about. And I really felt like God was saying to me "Hey you! Don't put me into a box! I can't be limited!" God is a creative God. Just because you think a certain situation will take place in a certain way, just because it makes sense that it will turn out that way...doesn't mean that it will. Sometimes God likes to surprise people and do the unexpected. Sometimes an event that seems obvious to us to take place, isn't so obvious after all. When the Bible says that no one can fathom the mysteries of His thoughts and plans it certainly means it! Anything can happen! Planning is good, but ultimately He is the one who guides your steps.

Something else God taught me through her was definitely something that He has been trying to teach me for a good long while. The woman said "instead of thinking of the future, focus on today." Now, isn't that something ALL of us hear quite frequently? That we should focus on today rather than on tomorrow, for we don't ever have the promise of tomorrow? Tomorrow is uncertain. Tomorrow can change. By focusing on today, we can all be assured that we won't miss our on God's will for our lives today. That we won't miss our on today's blessings and what He wants us to do now, today.

I cannot count how many times I've heard those words. And lately I've been hearing it more and more often. I think it's way past time that I listen. I'm so glad that God is such a patient God! He was even willing to send a complete STRANGER to tell me something that He's been trying to get through to me. How crazy is that!?

And you know what's also really great about this whole story? The fact that God has given me comfort, peace and assurance that I'm where I'm supposed to be. I think sometimes each of us need a reminder of that as well...just a little nudge from God saying "Hey, I see you, and I hear you. I've got your back kid!"

You gave me everything I needed and more, in one moment, in one night, by a complete stranger. What a great gift Daddy.
Thank you!