Servants

When the Lord put a clothing ministry on my heart; I had no idea all the "wow" moments He would give me.

As clothing items are donated, there are some that need minor repairs; patches, hem pants, etc.

Only one problem.

I can't sew.

Sure, I can put a button on here and there; but anything else; not gonna happen. While it has been my hearts desire for years to learn, it hasn't been until this new season that the desire became a fire.

I took a sewing machine my mom had given me many, many years ago, to a friends house. She worked and worked and worked until finally all the "goo" (and it was nasty "goo") was gone and the machine was working . . . . well, sorta. One of the bobble thing-a-ma-gigs wasn't winding up something (see, I REALLY have no clue!).  After further investigation, the piece couldn't be repaired.

While I was disappointed that the machine wasn't going to work, I was still excited to watch and learn.

My friend spent several hours on her only day off working on the machine and then teaching me how to make stitches by hand in order to hem pants and make minor repairs.

While sitting at her dining room table, the Lord showed me just what was really happening.

Nothing Lost Outreach was happening.

This woman, took time from her family to help me, in order that I might help someone else through NLO. She didn't have to go to Ensley Baptist and serve; she didn't have to make bags, she didn't have to donate; she was simply serving and doing in the area she has been called to do.

God wants our obedience, not our sacrifice.  :)

With the clothing donations increasing, and my time becoming less and less; God showed me I was going to need help.

If you read a few days back, you know the phobia I have of people coming in my house.

Two days after posting that, I had three different people "pop in."  (Yes, God is definitely taking me to new areas of trust, love, and vulnerability (oh I don't like that word . . . )

So, today, a new friend (just met today) and an old friend came together to help me with all the donations.  I was able to do Christopher's schooling while they worked and worked!  They sorted enough that I will be fill many orders for this Sunday!



Indeed, what He has called us to do, He will equip us to do :)







Watching Life Unfold

I left this morning in a foul mood. 

The kids are singing in "big church" tomorrow night.  The only type pants Christopher wears are pants with elastic in them.  I hadn't been able to find ANY pants with elastic except for jogging suits; so that is what his wardrobe consists of; and shorts (with elastic) of course.  Kaitlyn's shoes are stained and wearing thin and with her sensory problems increasing; finding shoes and socks she can wear without an emotional break down is a miracle!  She's needed shoes desperately but I was hoping to stretch them out till Christmas . . . no such luck.

After running into Target and finding no pants or shoes in our price range; we made the dreaded run to Wal-Mart.  My frustration was mounting and the "Why's" and "Woe is me's" began to fill my mind.  Discontentment set it.

But . . . . God.

It was then, as I was driving west on Nine Mile Road, heading to Wal-Mart on Hwy 29 that I thought, "Why am I going to Wal-Mart on Hwy 29?  I always go to the Wal-Mart on Creighton?"  Instantly and out of the blue, the Lord reminded me of my prayer in my journal this morning.  It read, "Lord, please let me see Paula today.  It's cold, and you told me to give her (a particular coat that had been donated to Nothing Lost Outreach through a friend) that coat.  Please let me see her.  Please." 

I told Kayla (she was with me) about it and said, "Kayla, I have to find her today.  I don't know where she is and I've only seen her outside of NLO one time.  Lord, please let me see her." 

As you can imagine, my heart leapt with joy as I pulled into the turning lane on Nine Mile Road to turn left on Old Palafox as the thin, frail woman I know as Paula, began walking towards my car wearing only a thin coat with a beanie hat.

Once again, God had nailed it.  He had Paula on my heart this morning, strong enough to journal about it; then used my running around (in the flesh) to bring me back to the Cross . . . to show His mighty hand!  He provided for Paula, through a friend that gave in obedience.  Hallelujah! 

God showed me I was getting all worked up about something that doesn't matter.  ". . . . . . stop trying to be what everyone else wants you to be.  Those children are singing to Me and they could care less what they are wearing; so you shouldn't either." 

I am reminded of my reading this morning in Sarah Young's, "Jesus Calling" devotional.  It reads:

LINGER IN MY PRESENCE A WHILE.  Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day's activities.  Beginning your day along with Me is essential preparation for success.  A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle.  Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you.  Only I know what will happen to you this day.  I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way.  If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart.  Relax with Me while I ready you for action.

Ephesians 2:30, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Hebrews 12:3, "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Lord forgive me of my jealous heart and "do right" attitude.  Thank you for showing yourself to me today; thank you for my friend that was obedient to what YOU put on her heart in order to provide for Paula.  Thank you for allowing me to be on the sidelines and watch it all unfold.  Lord, I thank you for opening my eyes and bringing me back to the cross.  I love you, Lord.  I trust you.  Amen.

Paula told me she'd definitely be at NLO tomorrow because it is her birthday (Sunday, October 30th).  We will be celebrating at NLO with a birthday cake (no, she has no clue).  I wonder how long it has been since her birthday was celebrated?  She will be 48.  Please pray for Paula today.

Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."