Accidental Friends?

In my sister’s recent blog post the other day (Be Still And Know), she speaks of how wonderful it is to know that we are not alone, that God brings people together with certain gifts and anointings for just “such a time as this,” and uses each of us to meet the needs of others.  As I was reading that it reminded me of a children’s book by Dandi Mackall, “Made For A Purpose.”  The book is about a sad, lonely little girl who has been deeply hurt and disappointed and has shut herself away from the world, thinking she can be just fine by herself and has no need of friends.  She thinks she already knows what she wants to be when she grows up and just stays focused on that, keeping to herself. Through a series of “coincidences” she ends up meeting the need of a group of kids her age and, through their kindness and friendship, has her own need for love and acceptance met.  She discovers that she didn’t have to be alone, that God loved her and created her with a purpose.

                  It was God who had given her the dreams and ideas for her future.

There have been so many times when I’ve needed love, guidance, support .. and just when I didn’t know where to turn, someone came into my life who had just the right word, the right advice, a strong arm to hold me up when I needed it the most.

Accidental friendships …. or divine appointments?

I don’t want to always be on the receiving end of these appointments, do you?  As in my sister’s group of classmates, I want to be able to give as much, if not more, than I get.  There have been times when I knew I was the “giver.”  Other times … not so much.  But I have learned that we all have a contribution to make.  We can “bear one another’s burdens” and, have our own load lightened when we need it as well.  We’re not accidental friends … we were created and brought together for a purpose.

To love others and see their lives changed!

One thing I have learned is that God uses people to help people.  I believe in miracles ... but most miracles come in the form of someone fulfilling their purpose of reaching out and touching others. 

                            A box of groceries left on the front porch.

                            A nurse in the hospital hallway with a hug when the news is bad.

                            A Facebook “friend” with a word of encouragement.  

Someone needs a word … a prayer … a touch today.  You have that! I've discovered that when I'm reaching out to others with God’s love, I'm truly living life with Purpose and Joy!

If God Gives You a Jackass ....

NOTE:  For the ladies who immediately thought of their husbands ... contact me and we can work on that.  That's another whole ball game all together.


The other day as I was doing some reading, I came across a quote that completely took me aback ... and I just haven't been able to shake it.  It's like getting a song stuck in your head and it won't go away. 

 “If you’ve been praying for a Cadillac and God gives you a jackass .. ride it.”  (Unknown)

I had to read it a couple of times to get the full impact. How many sermons have we heard on delighting ourselves in the Lord and then He'll give us the desires of our heart?   It's in the Bible, "Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires." (Ps. 37:4 NLT) ... and I believe every word of it. 

So how in the world did I end up with this jackass?
   

There have been so many times when I've prayed, wished, hoped, and prayed some more for something that just didn't happen, or work out the way I wanted ... and then later looked back and saw that what I got was exactly what I really needed.  My husband will tell you that I definitely have Cadillac taste.  But sometimes a Cadillac is just not the answer ....

... not really the desire of my heart.

Sometimes, the Cadillac is the desire of my head ... my imagination ... my mental image of success.   When I examined the true "desires of my heart" I found that what I really desire is protection from predators - spiritual as well as physical, a calm spirit when fear comes knocking on my door, strength and stability to navigate the rocky hillsides that the path of life often takes me through.  Stopping to consider the qualities of the American jackass I found that these are some of the very attributes that make this animal of great value to the livestock owner.  They are fierce protectors of livestock .. wolves, coyotes, dogs and snakes don't stand a chance against a jack or jenny standing guard in the pasture.  They have a strong calming effect on nervous horses in the barn at night.  And when the need arises to pack a load over steep or rocky passages ... where do we turn?  That's right.

I believe our Father answers every prayer ... He wants us to have all the good things in this life.  I believe in coming boldly before His throne as His children and making our petitions known.  But I have found that sometimes the answer to my prayer is not what I asked for ... but always what I need. 

So ... If you've been asking God for a Cadillac and He gives you a jackass ... ride it!