I’m thinking this morning.
Thinking about God and how He works. Thinking about how He gets us involved. Thinking about the wonder that He includes us at all…that He wants to.
I’m thinking about all this because I got an email from an old friend whom I haven’t seen for about 5 years. She asked me if I had given her a particular book, as she found it on her shelf while she was cleaning and couldn’t remember how it came to be there.
It turns out that I had, indeed, given it to her – about 7 years ago. It was called Secret Longings of the Heart and I had read it, loved it, and given some situations that were going on within our women’s ministry at the time, had decided that it should be offered as a study. However, the study never came to fruition. Instead, the Lord prompted me to give the book to this particular friend and apparently, she put it on her shelf and never picked it up again – until now.
It turns out that the fact it sat dormant all these years was by design. God knew all those years ago that TODAY she would be struggling with some “secret” sin. He knew that it would be rooted in unfulfilled longings, and disappointment that she had suppressed. That study never formed because it was ONE woman that needed the book SEVEN YEARS LATER. Not only has the book given her some revelation and direction on how to get to the root of the problem, but God revealed Himself to her in a very personal way, showing her how deeply He cares about not only her “now”, but where she’ll be years from now.
You know, there are some days when I feel like I have accomplished absolutely nothing for my own family, let alone the Kingdom! I know for sure that the simple act of giving a book away wouldn’t have made me think twice that I had made any sort of significant difference. But today, I’m reminded that when we are trying to serve God with our whole hearts, even in the midst of the chaos and distractions of our normal, everyday lives, He can take our meager offerings and do extraordinary things.
And sometimes, He allows us to see the end result.
What a gift.
What a great reminder of God's involvement in our details and our rescue.
Blessings on your Tuesday!
I love when He does extraordinary things and allows us to see a glimpse of what resulted. Her life will be forever altered by the decision she made to read the gift you gave her and apply it to her life. He’s an incredible, gracious and merciful God that allows us in relationship with Him. What a gift that is in and of itself! Love you sweet friend, Amy
Wow. This is awesome, Melinda. Just amazing…I'm in awe of how He works. What we thought was wasted…seven years…He was working…all up to this moment. He knew the message in that book would not have been received, or received as He intended, until this day, this time in her life.
I just love, love, love reading of stories like this…real life in action…God in action…even when we think too much time as past.
Thank you for reminding me that God is at work and sometimes we can't see it until much later.
God is good…
Blessings~
Melinda,
This is timely as I've been struggling with what kind of a difference am I making in my husbands children. I may not see it this side of heaven, but if I'll follow the Holy Spirit's promptings…then there is a difference. I am thankful that God chose to show you this and reveal His fingerprints in your life with this woman's life.
Love ya!
Yolanda
Isn't God amazing? So glad He gave you the gift of finding out how He worked through you. Good stuff!
A gift indeed. What a beautiful story! I love this postponed surprises. I'm glad you received one today. Keep planting those seeds, sister. Some day we will see the fullness of all our seemingly "unnoticed" investments of our hearts. It will be a good moment for all of us!
Love you.
peace~elaine
Melinda,
You were given a gift of seeing on this earth what we will all see in heaven one day. I know the feeling of wondering if I am making even a whit of difference on this earth. Know dear sister, that you are making a difference. Only eternity will reveal the magnitude of difference your precious life has made.
Leah
I thought of your post last night when I received an e-mail (via facebook) from a girl I grew up with. I haven't seen her in at least 15 years. We shared the neighborhood with one another and were close in our elementary years. Her father died during that time. I remember her coming to spend the night at my house on the night of her Father's death.
Yesterday, her mother passed away. She wrote to tell me about it all; in doing so, she recalled the night she spent at my house when we were about 10. She said I gave her my favorite pink, fluffy pillow. I don't remember that, but she does. She said it meant so much to her back then…
And then I thought about what you wrote here, Melinda. Let's keep sowing those seeds, whether they be pink pillows or books!
Have a great day.
peace~elaine
You know, some of God's "greats" were obscure, unseen and seemingly insignificant. They are the least that will be first. They've become my heroes … the living examples of how to live in contentment whether I have/do much, or have/do little.
Great post, friend!
Blessings,
Kathleen
Awesome. I love how God works without any help from us! He knows the plans – he ordains them – he puts them into play. Even 7 years later!
What a great testimony.
Thank you. Words cannot express how much I needed to read THIS post TODAY, not the day you posted it or yesterday, but TODAY.
God is amazing — and ever so very timely, too.