Grandma quietly shut the door and turned out the light as small brothers Joey and Bobby settled down to sleep. Then suddenly in the darkness Joey sat up and reached over to nudge his brother. "Hey - we have to say our prayers! Grandma must have forgotten to have us do it."

Bobby sat up rubbing his eyes. "Do we have to?” he complained.

"But Mommy says we should even when we're visiting." Joey slid out of bed to kneel down.

"Okay," Bobby did the same beside his brother; he folded his hands, and scrunched up his face as he concentrated. He began his prayer in a loud voice. "Dear God, please send me a new bike... and a new Nintendo...and a new computer..." By the time he was finished he was almost shouting

"Why're you talking so loud? " Joey nudged him. "God's not deaf."

His brother grinned. "No - but Grandma is!"

Bobby's prayer was certainly obvious, but when you think about it he had the right idea about how God sometimes answers prayer. For though he might pray to God for what he wanted it could be that Grandma might be the one who actually provides it. It may well be the same in our lives.

We know that God answers prayer in accordance to His will for us, and while He can do it in any number of ways occasionally He does it through others. Perhaps He answers us by what someone does or says - and I’ve discovered that sometimes He even uses me to help others. Furthermore when I am providing what someone else needs, often I don’t even know it’s happening!

So while His children pray and when God provides answers, and no matter how He does it He accomplishes His purposes in ways as perfect as His Person.

As sales manager of a large shoe company Hank assigned his sales representatives to the outlying areas, but at the moment he was worried about one particular sales area and the completely different salesman he could send to cover it.

Joe was a pessimist who always seemed to expect the worst in life and in people. Still, he had a successful sales record, though Hank sometimes wondered if the quality of the shoes that actually assured Joe’s success. Hank was thinking about Joe’s tendency to gloominess when he read Joe’s latest report from his new territory.

This was a remote rural area where the company had never ventured. “I don’t know why you sent me here,” Joe wrote. “This place is so primitive and poor no one wears shoes! I won’t sell anything here so I’m coming home!”

Still, Hank had another employee who was the exact opposite.

Tony was an optimist, someone who was not only always smiling but also never seemed to have any objections or be irritated at anything. Because Tony’s customers responded to his buoyant attitude and enthusiasm for his product, Hank figured he might try sending Tony to the area Joe had abandoned. Within a few days Tony sent his first report and Hank had to smile as he read it. “I’m doing great! I can’t understand how we missed this place. I can’t fail to sell these people. No one wears shoes!”

As Tony discovered, attitude can indeed make a great difference in our approach to life, something that’s also true when we regard the challenges God asks us to assume. When He asks us to try something new do we regard it with a sense of reluctance? Do we think we can’t handle it? Or maybe on the other hand do we consider it as an opportunity to learn something God wants to teach us, or even a chance to serve Him in a way no one else can! So which attitude do we take with this new assignment? Do we dread and decline and remain spiritually stagnant or arise to embrace it as an opening to serve God?

We may never sell shoes but with an appreciative and welcoming attitude we can see possibilities in God’s tasks where others see none.

“That, Madam,” the artist smiled condescendingly, “Is a mother and her child.”

The lady squinted at the painting again and snapped. “Then why isn’t it?”

That lady certainly thought that the picture show what it was supposed to and somehow I often wonder if it’s the same when God views my spiritual portrait. It is really what it could be? Probably not, since I’m quite prone to falling short of that sort of His ideal. For instance, I don’t always have faith in Him as I should, or I putter around and delay taking on that new challenge or I may procrastinate when He’s nudging me. However, when I seek to correct the situation, there’s only one solution. I need to identify the areas of my life where I fail, add a prayer of confession and then a new resolve to keep plugging toward His goals for me.

As the old saying goes: “Some look at things as they are and say ‘why?’ I look at things as they could be and say ‘why not?’” So with God’s help there’s no reason why I can’t be all He wants me to be.

“Is that a wanted man?” he asked the host officer as he pointed to one of the pictures.

“Yes, we want him. He’s committed several crimes.”

The child seemed to think. “Then how come you didn’t keep him when you took his picture?”

Apparently the police had lost out on keeping that criminal, just like in a personal sense I can also lose out on a chance to serve God. These opportunities come in various ways: perhaps an urge to say something encouraging or kind to someone, a challenge to take on a new job at church, or a new program of spiritual exercise. Yet no matter what they are how do I respond? Did I follow through or ignore them?

It’s my choice and when I follow God’s leadings I can learn and grow in ways I never could if I ignored His nudges and invitations to service. He asks only that I start, and then watch as He provides what I need to complete the task. As someone once said: “When God says, “‘This is the way’ - we’re to move our feet!”

“To he who passes by
As you are, so once was I.
As I am, thou shalt be-
So prepare thyself to follow me.”

“Those people back then didn’t have much of a sense of humor.” One visitor commented.

“Maybe not, but someone did.” Said another. “Look, they added something below.” He brushed the weeds away from the tombstone base to reveal some more writing under the first verse:

“To follow thee is not my intent,
Unless I know which way you went.”

Whoever wrote that last part was probably a prankster, but actually it’s a question we might ask ourselves today in many areas of life. . Where are we going? Yet it’s an especially important question on our spiritual journey.

Are we following the path God would have us take or are we trying to make our own way? And if we’re following our own life-path then are we coping with the indecision and insecurity of our choice? Do we wonder about what we ’re doing, or what happens or why and all the while groping our way through a puzzling fog, with no direction?

However, there is an alternative. For when we follow God’s path and rely on Him, we don’t grope or wonder because if we aren’t sure where were going then He does. For our benefit and His glory.

While most of her children responded to Ginger and the lessons, occasionally there were those who were either too ill to respond well - or too depressed. Danny was one of these.

Ginger first met Danny when his former teacher transferred to a regular classroom. Miss Jones told Ginger about Danny. "He's been in the hospital burn unit for some weeks now since his family home caught on fire. They all got out alive but he was hurt badly."

Will he recover?" Ginger asked.

"He should, but the problem is that recently he's become depressed. His nurses tell me that he's sure he won't get any better and thinks he might even be dying! They keep telling him that he'll get better but it's also getting so bad he's not cooperating with his treatments. So see what you can do to motivate him." The teacher suggested and continued. "And oh, yes, I told him we'd be covering nouns and adverbs in the grammar book. That might give you a starting point."

The next day Ginger looked into the hospital room to see the small figure propped up in the bed, staring at the ceiling. She fixed what she hoped was an optimistic smile and stepped into the room.

"Hello, Danny. I'm your new teacher - Miss Ginger."

The boy turned a blank face.

Ginger continued as she came up to the bed. "Miss Jones was transferred and I'm here to help you continue your lessons." The boy just stared as Ginger continued." Miss Jones told me what you've been studying and we'll be continuing that but we'll be starting some new things." She opened the book and placed it on the tray table in front of him. "See? This is your new grammar lesson - we're going to be learning about nouns and adverbs."

There was a small response for Danny's eyes widened and Ginger took that as an encouragement. She pulled up a chair and began her short lesson. As she continued to talk Danny seemed to listen but he was silent.

Because of his weak condition Ginger knew she shouldn't stay very long, but when she left she wondered if she'd actually accomplished anything. Had Danny actually learned anything? To judge by his response Ginger doubted he had. Maybe she was just wasting her time.

Danny had his lessons every other day so two days later when Ginger again appeared on the hospital floor and before she could head for Danny's room someone called her name. It was one of the nurses with a question. "What did you do to Danny?"

Ginger stopped. "Why - nothing. What's wrong?" Had she said or done something to harm his treatment?

"You must have done something!" The nurse continued. "He's changed so much. Yesterday he actually smiled and laughed and he didn't cry so much when we had to do some treatments. It seems like he's cooperating with us now!"

Still puzzled at the news, Ginger started her lessons with Danny and found him attentive and even enthusiastic. She said nothing as she continued the lessons and saw her small pupil advance in his studies as well as in his recovery.

Several weeks later as Danny was ready to leave the hospital and return to his regular school, Ginger had a chance to ask him why he'd suddenly changed his attitude.

"Oh, that's easy." Danny responded. "I hurt so bad and I'd been sick so long I didn't think I'd ever get better and that's why Miss Jones left. Then you came, Miss Ginger, and I thought if I they would send a new teacher just to teach me study nouns and adverbs then they thought I would get well. So that's when I decided to try harder."

Did you ever think that you could be an influence to someone, even by just doing what you do everyday? Sound impossible? At first it might be hard to believe but often God uses us to influence someone else in a way no one else can.

And often this happens even when we don't try to purposely inspire someone. We can do it when we're simply following God's plan for our lives, and if we do affect someone for Him often we may never know about it. We may not know it - but God will.

Many years ago a young man named Jack had a reputation at his club as something of a jokester. Since he came from a wealthy family and didn't have to work he spent much of his time in sports and parties as well as playing pranks and making outrageous bets with friends.

One day he was in his club chatting with a friend and the other mentioned the conduct of some of their fellow members.

"Yeah, I know them - so self righteous and smug." Jack sniffed.

"And I bet they're so stodgy they've never stepped out of the straight and narrow." Jack's friend responded. "Probably live pretty dull lives."

"Oh, I don't know," Jack mused. "They may seem pretty straight laced on the surface but I'd think at one time they've done something they're ashamed of."

"I don't agree." Jack's friend said then leaned forward with a grin. "Want to bet?"

Jack was intrigued and eventually they agreed to center their bet on three fellow club members who seemed to be entirely circumspect and proper. A sum was agreed on for the bet, as Jack's friend believed that the three men had no hidden secrets and Jack held that they did. Jack said he had a plan that would start the action so it was agreed that if the three men abruptly left town then Jack would have proved his point and won the bet. A week later when Jack and his friend met in the club to learn that the others had indeed left the city. Jack's friend paid off his bet and admitted defeat. "You were right." The friend admitted. "Three apparently perfect men must have had a hidden secret and they proved it by leaving town. But how did you do it?"

"Simple, " Jack smiled. "I just sent them each an unsigned wire that said. 'All is discovered. Leave while you can.'"

Jack's fellow club members obviously dreaded something that was only possible and not necessarily reality but I can sympathize with them because I find myself doing the same thing on my spiritual journey.

This propensity usually comes from an overactive imagination combined with a sense of fear because I don't know what's going to happen and I'm not in control. It's a great bit of mental exercise to be sure but very wearing on the nerves and of course entirely a total waste of time. For while I'm occupied and brooding about what might happen I'm forgetting God who's very much a part of my present reality!

After all it's in that actuality where lies all of God's plans and purposes for me, not in what might happen. For God's work for me isn't in the possible but in what is happening. And that's where I should be, too.

An old fellow who always tried to dress as well as he could, Fred each morning would take a walk wearing a well-tailored suit, with a fresh flower in his lapel.

One morning he took his walk to the park across from his retirement community, where he sat down on a bench. Soon his neighbor Horace came up and sat down, then had a question. "Say, you wear a different flower every morning. Where do you get them?"

"Oh, I have a variety of flowers delivered every few days and I keep them in the refrigerator and wear a new one each morning." Fred explained.

Horace adjusted his glasses and leaned forward. "What's this one?"

"It's a chrysanthemum."

Horace straightened up. "Looks like a rose to me."

"No, it's a chrysanthemum." Fred assured him.

"Spell it." Horace challenged with a slight smile.

Fred paused. "Well, it's...K-R-I-S.... no, it's K-R-Y.... No, it's C-R-I-S - " He looked down at his lapel. "You know you're right - it is a rose."

Fred certainly thought substituting would be the solution to his difficulty and sometimes I do the same when I try to insert my own ideas to what God wants me to do. For example, as I start a new God-directed task I might suddenly discover some aspect that I think would work just great, and then I start off in that direction leaving God behind. However, what usually happens is that I don't get anywhere. Then eventually I get bogged down, can 't go any further and then realize that God was in the background, waiting for me to recognize the futility of my own efforts and turn back to embrace His plan for me.

Indeed, sometimes substitution can seem to work, but when it comes to God's plans for me it's a waste of time. Only His plans are perfect in every way.

A fellow once invited his boss home for dinner and was naturally anxious to make a good impression so he persuaded his wife to follow an elaborate menu. Her small daughter tried to help in the kitchen, but the mother was so nervous and frustrated that she told the child to stay out of the way. Finally as the boss and his wife arrived and as they sat down to dinner, the father asked the small daughter to say grace. "I don't know what to say," she whispered to her father.

"Just say what Mommy might say," The father told her, with a nervous glance at the boss.

"Dear Lord," The child announced. "Why on earth did we have to invite all these people to dinner?"

We may not have that particular challenge but like that young mother we often wonder why we're faced with what happens to us. Why are we having this or that particular difficulty? What's going on?

Then as we try to search for answers often we have to admit we simply don't know the reasons why. However, instead of worrying too much about "why" it's more important to confront the problem, consider how we can cope, what we might learn from it, also how we can serve God through it.

Indeed, when it comes to our struggles, the "why" is not as important as " How we solve this?" and the "What will we learn from it?" Then after we've asked these questions, we can move on from there with God as our loving provider and guide.

"What do you mean you can't get a make on these fingerprints?" The police sergeant demanded of the fingerprint expert. "We know Lefty LaForge committed the robbery."

"They just don't match, "The expert told them. "These prints and Lefty's are whorls apart."

Fingerprints have long been a valuable technique to identifying criminals and also - like in our silly example - clearing the innocent. However it was only about a hundred years ago that police and courts recognized and began using the system that has proved so successful - and all based on the fact that each person's fingerprints are unique and individual.

Yet if law enforcement officials have just recently recognized the uniqueness of each individual then they're a bit late! After all, God knew it all along.

For indeed, each of us is an unequaled example of His special creation, with our own talents and gifts as well as our own faults and foibles. Also because we're all individual He also treats us that way as we serve Him. He takes our unique differences and uses them to design His perfect plan for our lives.

Yet though we are all individuals we all do have one thing in common. We are all of equal value to God for He loves us equally, no matter what our spiritual condition or response to him.

Individual - yet unique. Yet we are all loved the same.

"I don't ever think I'll ever understand my husband," Madge sighed and shook her head slowly. "I try to plan interesting meals but he never seems to appreciate it."

"I know what you mean," her friend Beth replied from her chair across her kitchen table. "But I think I've found a solution."

"You did?" Madge straightened up. "Tell me about it!"

"At first I thought I'd be organized and efficient so I prepared my main dishes, labeled the containers and then froze them."

"Then what happened?" Madge asked.

"With all those prepared dishes I thought I had it made, but when I'd ask him what he wanted for dinner he'd never give me a definite answer and it was so frustrating. I had a freezer full of dishes ready to cook labeled 'pot roast,' 'beef stew' 'chicken and dumplings', or 'beef pot pie.' But he never seemed to want any of them."

"So what did you do?" Madge asked.

"I simply relabeled the dishes and when I ask what he wants for dinner and he answers then I'm ready. Here, take a look."

Beth opened the freezer door and Madge peered inside. She saw a stack of large freezer dishes labeled 'Whatever,' 'Anything,' 'I Don't Know', 'Something Good', and one merely labeled 'Food.'

Beth's husband obviously couldn't deal with the choices and that's not at all unusual for all of us for we all must make many decisions in our daily lives as well as along our spiritual journey as well. When faced with a course of action, whether it's a routine daily chore or an especially life changing choice how do we respond?

Yet whatever we face when we don't know what we should do then we're never wrong in following God's way. Whether its decisions about daily routine or more life affecting choices if we respond according to God's will for our lives then we have the perfect answers.

After pulling to a stop in her driveway, Christy braked the car and turned off the ignition then turned to three-year-old Jennie in the back seat in her car seat, next to baby Jason, also in his. "I'm going to check the mailbox and I'll be back in just a minute."

There were only a few items in the box and as Christy returned to the car and tried to open the car door she was shocked to find it locked!

Christy felt a twinge of panic as she scanned the interior of the car to see that while Jason was still in his car seat Jennie had unstrapped herself and was now sitting in the drivers seat swiveling the steering wheel. And then she saw her keys dangling in the ignition, and realized that the button on the driver's door and the other doors - were pushed down! Jennie had been having some fun!

"Jennie! Can you hear me?" Christy shouted through the window.

The child turned toward her mother's voice.

"Unlock the door! It's that button there!" Christy shouted as she jabbed her finger at the window. "Pull it up!"

Jennie bounced up and down on the seat. "What button, mommy?" She shouted back.

"Right there - by the window!" Christy shouted again - and pointed. In the back seat she could see that baby Jason had begun to fuss. Again she shouted through the window but Jennie didn't seem to understand.

Christy was beginning to panic. She had no extra key and the car must be getting hotter by the minute! Also, even if she could call her husband or a mechanic it might be too late - her only hope was to make Jennie understand how to pull up on one of the buttons she'd pushed down!

As Christy again shouted her order to Jennie the child turned again to face the window and her anxious mother.

Her tone was casual. "I can't hear you, Mommy! Do you want me to roll down the window?"

Sometimes I share Christy's frustration at an apparently insolvable problem and the confusion that can come with it, whether it's a serious difficulty or even something minor but baffling in its insolvability. However, the answer can actually be quite simple but only when it's God's solution, and not our own. Then when the problem is solved we may well look back and consider how obvious and simple it was - and easy it was indeed for an all-powerful God Who loves us.

Mr. Avalon re-read the doctor’s letter and its diagnosis then lifted his gaze to the portrait above the mantel. As he did so he realized that soon he would need to decide what would happen to that portrait as well as all his other priceless works of art.

He reached out to pick up a framed photo on the table next to his chair and traced a finger over the delicate features the young woman and the child beside her. All he had was the picture for sadly she had not live long after the picture was taken, leaving a grieving husband and small son.

But that little boy who was John Adrian grew to be a tall muscular young man who developed some unique traits. He had an intense desire to research a cure for the disease that had taken his mother as well as a fascination with the art his mother had loved. John’s father shared this passion and it became a common interest for them.

As a successful businessman, Mr. Adrian had the means to acquire the classic works of art they encountered and after a few years the walls of the Adrian home were lined with masterpieces.

However, John never achieved his other goal - that would be done by others, yet he did make a start by attending medical school. Then, as a young doctor, he joined a medical team sent to treat the poor of a distant country. However, as they were caring for the people in a jungle clinic, a local revolutionary group attacked them. John and his friend Joe continued to treat as many as they could before John was shot down.

Mr. Adrian buried his son next to the mother and returned home to his now art filled but lonely home.

Then a few months after John’s death, Joe called on Mr. Adrian to share memories of John but also to present a specially created gift - a portrait of John he had painted with great love and care. “I’m not as good an artist as the others you have here.” Joe told the grieving father, ”but I tried to show John as I knew him.”

He succeeded - in fact so well that Mr. Adrian could feel the tears that came to his eyes when he first saw it. “Such a portrait deserves a place of honor,” Mr. Adrian said as he removed the classic masterpiece above the mantel and installed the portrait of John in its place.

Then some years later as his health failed, Mr. Adrian realized that he had some decisions to make. He had a house full of priceless art and no family to leave it to. He could of course put the collection up for auction but what would he do with the profits? Then he got an idea and after much thought, he reached for the phone to call his lawyer.

Several weeks after Mr. Adrian’s death, his attorney arranged with a prestigious auction house to sell the collection, and as the sale day arrived the eager collectors gathered.

However, the first painting put up wasn’t one of the famous Adrian masterpieces and the collectors were surprised and puzzled as there was placed on the display easel a portrait of an unknown young man. Yet there was someone in the crowd who did know the subject. It was Joe - now head of a medical research clinic - who had come to bid on the portrait he figured no one else would want.

“This is John Adrian.” The auctioneer explained. “What am I bid? Let’s start at $100.”

There was silence for a few seconds, and came an offer. “I’ll bid $100.”

“Am I bid $150?” More silence then the auctioneer brought down his hammer. “Sold - to the young man in the back.” He announced, pointing to Joe, and then he added.” And that ends the auction.”

It took a few seconds before the collectors realized what had happened. Then someone shouted. “Hey, we came here to bid on the Adrian collection. Put it up!”

The auctioneer shook his head as he raised a hand to quiet the protests. “This portrait of John Adrian was his father’s favorite and he wanted it to go to someone who would want it because they loved John as much as his father did. So in his will Mr. Adrian provided that who ever purchased John’s portrait would automatically receive the entire collection.”

Someone shouted,” That’s not fair!”

“It is fair,” said the auctioneer. “And it’s what Mr. Adrian wanted. Whoever gets the son gets it all.”

Just as an earthly father shared his son who went away to give his life serving and saving others, so did God share his beloved Son - to go out into the world to save the very ones who would reject and kill Him, even as he offered the Father’s salvation to all who would accept it. And as with the portrait - whoever takes the Son gets it all.

Vicki was horrified.

It was now just a few days before Christmas and as usual she’d been busy with all the parties, gift buying, and church activities. Then as she was looking in her desk for some tape to wrap a present she found it - her Christmas card list! Apparently she’d simply forgotten to send them, yet she knew she had to do it since she’d already received several cards from the people on her list.

Then she reconsidered -maybe she could do it! If she could find some pretty cards and hurriedly address them she could send them off and if they were late then maybe the recipients would think they’d had been delayed in the holiday mail.

So Vicki hurried to the local store, grabbed a large box of Christmas cards, then returned home to address and send them.

The day after Christmas Vicki came across one of the left over cards. Since she’d been in a hurry she’d grabbed the first cards she could find and hadn’t had the time to read the inside message. Now she did and realized that she’d sent out three dozen cards with the message:

“This Christmas card is here to say A little gift is on its way.”

While Vicki certainly hadn’t planned to give any gifts God certainly did when He provided the best gift of all - His Son. And not only had He planned the Gift from Eternity Past but He perfectly arranged all the details as His Son was born into a world He would seek to serve and save.

A Gift perfectly planned and provided - for God’s glory and our benefit.

The Paths We Choose

As a young modern mother Stacy was very anxious to raise her small daughter Amy to be self confident and secure in her life choices ­ and particularly when she eventually decided on a career. In this area especially Stacy did not want Amy to be discouraged by such irrelevant factors as her gender. However at the moment she was pleased that Amy was a happy child with a vivid imagination.

Then one day Amy’s kindergarten had a career day and Stacy and other parents were invited to the school to tell the children about their jobs. However, as it developed Amy seemed most impressed with the presentation of the school nurse.

“Of course you can help people get well as a nurse,” Stacy reminded Amy on the way home. “But you could also be a doctor.”

“I can’t be a nurse?” Amy asked.

“Of course you can but maybe you’d want to be a doctor. Actually, many years ago girls couldn’t become doctors and now they can. In fact you can be anything you want to be.”

“I can be anything?” Amy’s eyes grew larger in her seriousness.

“Of course. I’ve always told you that.” Stacy tried to put an enthusiastic tone to her voice. “Now what do you want to be?”

Amy seemed to ponder the question for a second before she smiled brightly. “Then I’ll be a horse!”

While Amy was sure what she wanted to be we don’t always have that much confidence. For when we need to make decisions about our lives, we may be wary of taking the risk of making the wrong choices. After all, we can’t see what will happen so it’s natural to worry. Will we make the right choice? Will some unexpected event mean that we didn’t? Or would we be safer by not making any choices at all?

Yet when it comes to making our life choices we’re never wrong when we trust God to guide us into what He wants us to do. For not only are His plans perfectly designed for us we know He has also planned and provided for any difficulties we encounter.

Making the right decisions may never be easy but with God as our guide once we choose to go His way we’ll have decided correctly.

Beyond the Fall

As a world renowned opera star Signor Florenz enjoyed all the recognition and fame his talent had provided him. He had appeared in a variety of roles in many of the great opera houses of the world and was the close friend of the best-known creative people in the music field. However, he so enjoyed his status that he had developed what was known as an “ego.” - he expected the best and got it. He lived lavishly, he had every whim satisfied and all the while felt himself above his many admirers. After all, he reasoned, he gave them the benefits of his talents ­ he did not owe them more.

However, as years passed, Signor Florenz found himself less in demand as other younger artists assumed the roles he’d made famous. Soon the only engagements he could find were recitals in small venues. However, he still retained his “ego.”

One recital was at a small college and when he arrived he found that because the college auditorium was being remodeled his recital had been scheduled for the next best location ­ the science building’s lecture hall. Also, because of the change of locations, he would need to use a nearby science lab as a dressing room. Then when the recital committee ventured to ask if he would meet with some admiring music students after his performance Signor Florenz refused.

”Of course not!” The artist told them. “I gave you my list of requirements. I will perform and that’s all. I can’t meet with anyone and I must have absolute privacy before the performance and during intermission. And remember - I do not sign autographs.”

His disappointed hosts reluctantly agreed.

He wasn’t pleased with the science lab dressing room but at least it did give him his privacy. They had equipped the lab as best they could placing a lighted dressing table and clothing rack on the side of the room opposite the lab furniture and the line of aquariums.

The first half of the recital went well as the audience responded enthusiastically and when it was over Signor Florenz retired to his dressing room amidst the applause. He had just sat down at his dressing table when he heard a tap on the door. Now who could that be since he had made it perfectly clear that he wanted no visitors? The tap came again and the doorknob rattled.

Signor Florenz stalked to the door and flung it open to see a young lady.

“I distinctly told the committee I didn’t want to be disturbed!” He huffed. “And no autographs!”

The girl looked puzzled. “I don’t want an autograph and I don’t even know who you are.” She pointed across the room. “I’m just here to feed my snake.”

That was undoubtedly ego-deflating, and while I’m not an opera singer that sort of experience can happen to me when I realize that God might use such an event to show me that I’ve wandered away from His plans and inserted my own. It usually starts when I create a new area of service for Him, then set off with enthusiasm and energy. However, there’s something missing ­ God. He might have other ideas and plans for me and of course I can’t follow those when I’m off following my own. So sometimes He needs to pull me up short in such a way that I realize that I’m certainly not going anywhere with my own plans. When it happens it can be disappointing and even humiliating at times, but I know afterward I’d have never realize my mistake without such an event.

Then once God intervenes and I’ve recovered from my detour God sets me out on His path and plan ­ and I’m secure in His will.

The Heavy Burden

Mike was worried.

He’d been coping with an overwhelming problem recently and it had become so burdensome that he had trouble working or sleeping. He knew he should trust God to help him deal with it but the difficulty seemed even too large for God to handle. Finally one evening as he had many times before he prayed for relief. “I know we all have our crosses to bear but this one seems too hard for me!” He pleaded. Then after a while he fell into a fitful sleep and had a dream.

He found himself in a long hall along with the Lord. Taking advantage of the situation, he again pleaded for relief.

In reply, the Lord handed him a small cross saying that it represented Mike’s problem. “Go into this room where you’ll see that there are a lot of crosses like the one you have there and each represents someone’s problem. Put yours down and choose another one instead.”

Mike stepped through the indicated door and found himself in a large room that was lined with crosses. He placed his own cross down, and then looked around. Some of the crosses in the room were small, others medium sized, and some were so large that their tops were obscured in the mists that served as the ceiling. After a quick perusal of the room’s contents, Mike reached over to pick up a tiny cross that was obscured by an even larger one.

“I’ll take this one,” Mike told the Lord. “If all those crosses are problems then I want one that’s small.”

The Lord smiled. “My child, that’s the one you brought in.”

We’ve all felt that our particular difficulty is possibly the most serious situation that ever existed ­ and that no one ever had suffered like we have. Then we encounter someone with a dilemma that makes ours look insignificant. They may well be struggling far more than we are ­ and we then get the chance to put our problem in perspective. This recognition may well help us cope with our problem ­ another example of how God provides for His children.

Hampering Hypocrisy?

“Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Mark 14:49 (New International Version)

Some years ago Malcolm was a wealthy farmer who was running for political office but he had a problem.

“Your opponent will be saying that you’re so rich you’re out of touch with the average guy,” His political advisors told him. “You’ve got to show the public that’s not true and you can do that by working around your farm. What we’ll do is invite reporters and supporters to the farm and you talk to them while you’re doing some routine chores.”

Malcolm agreed and began to schedule the groups. Then one day as another delegation arrived he suggested they join him at the barn.

“I was about to help the hired man with some hay. Come along and we can talk while I work.” He told them.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the barn they saw the hired man waiting in the hayloft.

“Let’s get started, John.” Malcolm looked up. “If you’re ready, I’ll pitch the hay up to you now.”

Clad in overalls and clutching a pitchfork, Malcolm glanced at the visitors to make sure they were watching. However, as he stepped forward to plunge his pitchfork into the pile of hay on the floor of the barn, he paused. There was no hay!

“John!” He called up to the man above them.” Where’s the hay that was supposed to be here?”

John peered over the edge of the loft. “I’m sorry, sir, but I haven’t had time to pitch it back down there since you pitched it up here for that last delegation.”

Just as modern politicians can sometimes display hypocrisy so did the Pharisees and the other Jewish leaders in their dealing with Christ. Though on the surface they were the spiritual guides for their people, they were actually behind the scenes seeking to execute the beloved Teacher the people so loved. However as Jesus Himself observed, the Scriptures had to be fulfilled and the duplicity of a few men could not halt God’s plans and purposes for redeeming His children.

Indeed, it’s the same today, when I fail and then think my service for Him has ended. Yet God is not limited by my failures – what I do or don’t do doesn’t mean God must abandon his plans for me or for those around me. Yet of course, he never completely abandons me for when I confess my failures then he is always ready to forgive and restore me to use again.

True Restoration

”I need your help, Tim,” Johnny told his friend, “I know you own an antique store and this is along your line.”

“Glad to help,” Tim replied. “What’s the problem?”

“I’ve inherited some antique furniture from my grandmother and want to sell it. Now I’ve done some research and I think some of these pieces could be really valuable. I’ll bring them in to the store but some of them are pretty dirty and I wanted to clean them up and maybe refinish them. I thought I might strip them down to bare wood and ….”

“No!” Tim held up a restraining hand and shook his head. “Don’t do that! If you try to clean them up that might take off some of the value!”

“You mean I shouldn’t try to restore them?”

“Just bring them in as they are. You see, sometimes antique furniture gets some of its value from it’s being in its original finish and condition. You could reduce the value if you try to clean it up and don’t know what you’re doing. We’ll let an expert do any necessary restoration.”

Some folks can be like that when they think they have to clean up their lives before God will accept them. They think that once they end a bad habit, eliminate a personal bitterness or drop any other number of faults, then they can approach the perfect God. After all, they might reason, I’m not good enough to approach God so I’ll just clean up my act and that’ll make him more likely to accept me.

However, we know that’s just wasting time and effort. For God values us as individuals – faults and all, and he’ll do any “cleaning up” and restoration necessary. He’ll take us as we are and work from there.

As with antiques perfect restoration is best done by experts, and what better life restoration expert is there than the one who first created the life?

Into the Unseen

Phil and his wife Melanie were touring their local zoo when they paused at an antelope exhibit.

“That’s strange. “Melanie turned to Paul as she pointed at the sign in front of the exhibit. “According to this, these antelope are capable of jumping to a height of 10 feet and cover more than 30 feet. Yet that wall can’t be more than 3 feet tall. How do they keeping them from jumping it?”

Phil leaned forward to read the sign and cocked his head. “You’re right. Doesn’t make sense. You wouldn’t think they’d put them in a display where they could escape.”

“Maybe you could ask at the visitors center on our way out.” Melanie suggested.

Phil nodded and they continued their tour. Finally as they left they stopped into the Visitors Center and asked their question.

“That may seem inconsistent, but it’s not. “ They were informed. “That particular type of antelope does leap high but for some reason they won’t jump where they can’t see where they would land. They might leap over a wire fence, but not over that 3 foot wall.”

Like the antelopes, I can be penned up with useless fears and worries but I’m afraid to break out and I may even think my self-imposed confinement gives me more security then I might find if I tried to escape. Yet if God has a new task waiting outside the cage I certainly can’t start it, yet I’m afraid to try to escape because I realize that I might have to take some risks. Also, if I jump out I might be leaping into something unknown and like the antelope I feel most secure when I can see where I’ll land.

However, that’s where my faith comes in. For if I can’t see where I’m to land then God does and He who sponsored my leap will provide a secure landing.

Unforgettable

Most everyone at the small college loved Dr. Jones, but they also had to admit that he was a bit forgetful, and in fact he could be called the complete personification of the “absent minded professor.” Though he had no trouble teaching there were times in his daily routine when he needed a bit of reminding.

It was one of these times when Brad and Todd, two of his students, were crossing the campus and met him coming toward them.

“Good morning, Dr. Jones.” Brad said, and then added, “Say, if you’ve got a moment I’ve got a question about the assignment you gave us yesterday.”

“Of course, young man.” Dr. Jones replied. “And what class is that?”

Todd realized that he was one of many students, so he gave his name, identified his class, and then gave a bit more detail about the assignment. The professor answered Todd’s questions and then as he finished the boys thanked him and were preparing to walk on when Dr. Jones caught Todd’s sleeve.

“Young man, I’ve helped you and maybe now you can help me. Could you tell me which way I was going when we met?” He asked.

“Certainly, sir,” Brad pointed.

“Oh, good.” Dr. Jones nodded with a new confidence. “That means I’ve already had my lunch.” And he walked away.

We may never be that forgetful, but there are indeed times when we do lose track of things. It’s only human. However, how would it be if God were as forgetful as we can be? Imagine it! A God who is in charge of an entire universe and caring for innumerable persons each with individual needs and desires – and he forgets to provide for one of them!

That’s not only unthinkable it’s also impossible! For God couldn’t have such a human trait and thus he simply can’t forget anything or anyone, and in a world when forgetfulness is normal and even jokingly tolerated, God’s perfect memory is very reassuring.

Keeping Attached

“Now keep hold of my hand,” Lloyd told little Joey as they started their walk through the woods. “If you to hold tight you can keep up and won’t stumble.”

They set off but try as he could Joey couldn’t keep hold of his father’s hand. The path was rough, with dips and holes and Joey’s small steps couldn’t match his father’s long ones. Also, because Lloyd moved so fast and his hand was frequently out to reach and Joey often lost hold of it.

Plop! Lloyd halted to see Joey flopped face down on the path. Then after he’d lifted his tearful child, dusted him off, inspected a small scratch, he recognized the problem

“I know what we’ll do. I’ll keep hold of your hand, slow down and keep my eye on you. That way I can make sure you don’t fall.” Lloyd told his son.

Again, they set off, this time with Lloyd gripping the child’s hand as he slowed to match his small steps and to lift him over any barriers.

Ever think of our relationship to God like that? Sometimes our spiritual journey can be like a walk with unexpected obstacles or barriers that we know we can never handle by ourselves. So we grope upwards for some security, our spiritual hands reaching upward to grasp for something or someone who can offer the reassurance, guidance and provision we need. And as we fumble the hand of God is there gripping ours – and we are protected and safe. Yet while we’re trying to reach up and grasp his hand and at the same time we’re trying to keep a grip on him, the wonderful news is that he’s reaching down with a secure grip on us!