Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse
Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
~Ephesians 5:2 NIV
Thoughts on today's verse...

In living a life of love, there is much sacrifice involved. When we have small children we often put our lives and careers on hold to raise them. When our parents become old and infirm we sometimes bring them into our homes to care for them. When we have grandchildren, we sometimes bring them into our home to raise them due to complications in their home lives.

In the same manner, when out and about in the marketplace, we can be so moved by something we observe that we are overcome with a sense of love and concern. That is when I know the Holy Spirit is stirring within my spirit. I can remember one such occasion. It was Mother's Day, 1990. After church my husband asked, "Where do you wish to go for lunch?" I named the restaurant and he inquired, "Really? I know that's not your favorite." I assured him it would be fine.

While waiting in line to place our buffet order, anyone and everyone who appeared to be a mother, or could be a mother or contained estrogen of any sort was given a carnation. As is our custom, we were observing the people in line. There were the family groups, the young couples celebrating Mother's Day for the first time with their new babies, the after church groups, when we noticed her. She was right behind us and appeared to be alone. I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit and spoke with my husband... I turned to her and asked, "Are you here with family?" She responded that she was not. Again I asked, "Would you be our surrogate mother for the day? Both our mothers live out of state." She agreed.

We got our orders, my husband paid for all the meals and found a vacant table. After prayer, we began introductions. It turned out our little lady was in the area from Florida. She had returned to bury her husband of many years. They had never been blessed with children. I had to excuse myself... to wipe away the tears. We were blessed to be in the company of the dear woman for dinner that day and to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I've often wondered since then, what if we would have ignored the prompting? Oh, and the sacrifice? That occurred during our "poverty" years and yet we were able to provide for all the meals.

My prayer...

Lord God, keep me ever in tune with Your Spirit so that my spirit may know how to respond. In Your name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

5 comments:

  1. Such a touching story, Tamara. I've been hearing so many stories of generous hearts lately and it does my heart good, something wonderful to ponder on. Thanks for sharing this.
    It's hard sometimes to be open to the Spirit because it does take an open heart to respond. So often I think He Speaks to me but in my rush I ignore, ignore, ignore. It's something I'm working on.
    Thanks for this post.
    All the best,
    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  2. You can't believe how appropriate this is for me today, Tamara!

    I just got off the phone with my daughter who lives two and a half hours from here. She had asked me to come down this week-end to babysit for her while she and her husband go to his class reunion (a big affair that they paid for a couple of months ago). Her mother-in-law, who lives there, was supposed to babysit, but she has to be in Texas unexpectedly.

    When I told her that Michael will probably be unhappy about this, she got quite angry and said that if he hopes to be a part of this family, he had better try harder and that SHE was my family and that SHE nver asked me to babysit before (although she has asked me to go there for a karate graduation and birthdays etc. and I have gone).

    This is also my daughter who not only doesn't go to church, but recently told me that they no longer pray and she DOESN'T want to talk about it.

    So I just keep on praying but now she's mad even though I am still going there. She just totally frustrates me and arguing with her is futile.

    Sometimes there seems to be too many expectations on the part of grown children for the parent(s) to be giving, giving, giving because they feel it is their 'due'.

    Since I can't, in good Christian conscience, bonk her over the head, I guess this is cause to pause and pray!

    blessings and hugs,

    marcy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tamara...God is so good...His Spirit speaks. You are an exemplary Sister in Christ. Thank you for sharing this story.
    Smiles from Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eileen, pray to be sensitive to the Spirit and it will come to pass.

    Marcy, now I know how to pray for you (and your daughter).

    Jackie, I am a Sister in Christ, but far from exemplary. Some days it's two steps forward... and three steps back!

    Hugz to all!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! What a great story. I can only imagine how blessed she must have felt. As an infertile woman, I can tell you that Mothers Day is very hard for most of us. Your kindness probably meant a great deal to her on that special day.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping in. Your comments are a source of encouragement.