Ballerinas, Buttered Fingers, and God’s Witnesses

Chaos Corner-

We had just finished dinner and I was doing the dishes when my adorable toddler came up behind me grabbing my leg, painting my pants with two giant handfuls of butter, smiling as he squished the slimy substance through his fingers like mud.

Not a minute later, my daughter came flying into the room (which she does often) with her ballerina Barbie pirouetting through the air, and before I could yell “be careful” to avoid catastrophe, the big ballerina smacked the little guy right between the eyes…Only a few moments of crying and one small bruise later, and it got even better.

My oldest then came out of the bathroom “Mom, my quarter accidentally fell in the toilet when I was doing my business.”  It never fails, when it rains, it pours!  It was one of those days that bedtime couldn’t come soon enough!  I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and bowed my head….Nice work guys.. Yes, tomorrow is a new day….

It had been five months since Lydia had passed away and that dreaded first Christmas had snuck up on me. A holiday where it seemed there was nothing to celebrate and it was upon me whether I liked it or not.  However, one gift I would receive this Christmas would plant the seed of change.

Jake (my husband) handed me a carefully wrapped gift. I wasn’t into gift giving or receiving, rather wanting to stay in my cave, but opened it reluctantly after being coerced by my son and his father.  To my surprise, under the paper and inside the box, I found a bible.  It was black and had a hearty maroon case. I thought this was an odd gift for him to buy me as I thanked him, yet questioning the gesture.

He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, “Lydia wanted to give this to you for Christmas.”  My eyes also filled with tears, feeling the power of this moment.  After I opened it up and read the words, “To Mom, Love Lydia,” wiping the wetness from my eyes, he further stated that she had told him in early July, about 2 weeks before she died that she wanted to get me a bible for Christmas because I would need it.

Now this was amazing. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Lydia loved to attend church and had an almost magnetic type force which attracted her.  Every week without fail, she would ask to go to church, pulling me by the hand to get there. She beamed smiles from ear to ear every time we went, sitting next to me proudly while she mastered her artwork in the pew. Dressed in her sequins and bright mismatched colors, she would light up the sanctuary and receive many compliments from the elderly women of the congregation, who without a doubt, adored her unique presence.

After five years, that bible has transformed my life. Some say children have that sixth sense, and I believe that she absolutely did.  This is just one of many events that transpired which substantiate her feeling and knowing of what was to come.

Now, I don’t think it was by chance that I went to church this Sunday after not attending for a few weeks and the message seemed to be speaking directly to me. As the pastor uttered his first few words, I knew immediately that God was addressing me.  I scrambled for a pen so I could take notes, not wanting to miss these impactful words I was about to hear. Now, to decipher my awkward penmanship on the back of the bulletin.

He begged the questions.. Who are we in Jesus?  Why are we here? Questions that many of us in our day-to-day lives, don’t give much thought to, as in a world of distractions, our focus often gets diverted to our selfish needs.

He reiterated it over and over. It is our duty to be the words, hands, touch of Jesus and to show and tell of his good deeds and be his witness.

If we don’t, who will?  How will people learn and experience first-hand the loving of God?

Do we sit quietly in peace, keeping our sweet Jesus safely in a little box all our own, knowing He is there for us, but not telling anyone of his blessings?

Do we go to church every Sunday, play the good Christian while we sit and wait for God to do something miraculous and when he doesn’t, wonder where He is while we go on with our week, not to give Him another thought?

Or do we do what God is calling us to do and wants us to do. Deliver his message and not just be a bystander,but a witness. His witness.

The lyrics of a favorite hymn of mine say it all.

I love to tell the story

of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory,

of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,

because I know ’tis true;

it satisfies my longings

as nothing else can do.

Refrain:

I love to tell the story,

’twill be my theme in glory,

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story;

more wonderful it seems

than all the golden fancies

of all our golden dreams.

I love to tell the story,

it did so much for me;

and that is just the reason

I tell it now to thee.

(Refrain)

I love to tell the story;

’tis pleasant to repeat

what seems, each time I tell it,

more wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story,

for some have never heard

the message of salvation

from God’s own holy Word.

(Refrain)

I love to tell the story,

for those who know it best

seem hunkering and thirsting

to hear it like the rest.

And when, in scenes of glory,

I sing the new, new song,

’twill be the old, old story

that I have loved so long.

Text: Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911

Music: William G. Fischer, 1835-1912

Now, this pastor is exceptionally talented in preaching and was by no doubt serving out his purpose and calling in life.  The sermon kept getting better and better, keeping my attention as I sat on the edge of my seat for 15 minutes, deep in concentration.

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven

Yes!  We must let God’s love and light shine within us and be the light so that others may see the glorious God!  Jesus called us to live in a way the world around us takes notice and to show that you are different from others.

God will change things. God is Good. He will put people in your path intentionally to say those right words or create those new opportunities, we just have to be open to receive it.  You also could be holding those precious words that another is waiting to hear.

I was particularly moved by this sermon, knowing that God was reassuring me I was on the right path, telling me I was to share my story.   Feeling a sense of renewal, I remembered what He has done in my life.

A testimony I have been working on for two years now and how eager I am to finish it, yet I constantly remind myself it will be done on His time, not mine.  When the time is right, it will come to fruition.

I am a living testimony that of what the power of God can do…….

God’s love conquers fear, anger, guilt, and shame, giving life and showering us with inspiration.  It’s time to be renewed in Jesus.

Here’s a wonderful quote from an incredible woman who is an example to us all…

If God didn’t need us for anything, as soon as we got saved, He’d just beam us up out of here and we’d go on to glory, but He needs us. We’re the hands and the feet, the eyes, the arms, the mouth, the ears of Jesus. He’s making His appeal to the world through us  -Joyce Meyer

So, I challenge you all to seriously ponder the ever thought-provoking question… Why are you here? What is your purpose in this life you have been given?  How has God worked in your life?  What are you waiting for?

Do not be afraid. Share your stories and be His witness.