I noticed them in the lobby. Tattered clothes, tousled hair, flimsy flip flops. As we waited for my daughters name to be called by the optometrist, I read a magazine, and my children talked with each other. Kaitlyns name was called, and she and I went to another area to pick out her new glass frames, while Morgan and Michael, waited in their seats.
Morgan came over to tell me she had overheard a conversation among the mom and her small kids who had sitting there in the lobby with us. The little boy was apparently there because his glasses had broken, and were in need of repair. The repair was going to cost $20, apparently more than they had expected.
They quietly began whispering about lunch, and if they paid the $20 repair fee, they would not have enough money for lunch. The mom whispered to the kids that they would just buy a hamburger or a salad from Wendys and they could all split it - there were four of them.
This touched Morgans heart, and she came over to tell me. Immediately God impressed upon my heart that I should pay for this ladys bill. I immediately agreed that I would do that. I felt God nudge me to go offer to pay her bill right that moment, but I told myself that it would be easier if I just paid it at the same time I paid on my bill, after all, we were only going to be a few more minutes.
The selection process took a little longer than expected, and when I finally did get to the front desk to check out, that family was gone. God had divinely ordained that our paths would cross, so that He could use me to bless this family, but I thought my timing was better than was His.
I waited. As a result, I missed the opportunity to bless someone, help a family in need, and a family which needed a blessing, did not receive it. All because I thought my obedience to Gods call could wait.
1 John 5:3 says "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,".
Gods request for me to give this family $20 was a simple request. A request that would not be a big sacrifice for me, that did not really require any extra time or effort. God just asked that I do it in His timing, and I chose to wait a few minutes. This verse above tells us that to obey Gods commands is a symbol of our love for Him, even small, quick little commands to do something simple.
This experience taught me a great lesson - a lesson of urgency.
Luke 9:57-62 in The Message says:
On the road someone asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
Jesus said to another, "Follow me."
He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."
Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
Next time I feel God prompting me to do something, to step out of my little comfort zone and do something that I may not fully understand or even fully agree with, I pray that I will seize the day.
I dont want to let another opportunity to be used for a blessing pass me by. Im sure God used someone else to bless that family on that day, unfortunately I just missed the blessing of being a part of it.
If God whispers something to you today, seize the day.
Morgan came over to tell me she had overheard a conversation among the mom and her small kids who had sitting there in the lobby with us. The little boy was apparently there because his glasses had broken, and were in need of repair. The repair was going to cost $20, apparently more than they had expected.
They quietly began whispering about lunch, and if they paid the $20 repair fee, they would not have enough money for lunch. The mom whispered to the kids that they would just buy a hamburger or a salad from Wendys and they could all split it - there were four of them.
This touched Morgans heart, and she came over to tell me. Immediately God impressed upon my heart that I should pay for this ladys bill. I immediately agreed that I would do that. I felt God nudge me to go offer to pay her bill right that moment, but I told myself that it would be easier if I just paid it at the same time I paid on my bill, after all, we were only going to be a few more minutes.
The selection process took a little longer than expected, and when I finally did get to the front desk to check out, that family was gone. God had divinely ordained that our paths would cross, so that He could use me to bless this family, but I thought my timing was better than was His.
I waited. As a result, I missed the opportunity to bless someone, help a family in need, and a family which needed a blessing, did not receive it. All because I thought my obedience to Gods call could wait.
1 John 5:3 says "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,".
Gods request for me to give this family $20 was a simple request. A request that would not be a big sacrifice for me, that did not really require any extra time or effort. God just asked that I do it in His timing, and I chose to wait a few minutes. This verse above tells us that to obey Gods commands is a symbol of our love for Him, even small, quick little commands to do something simple.
This experience taught me a great lesson - a lesson of urgency.
Luke 9:57-62 in The Message says:
On the road someone asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
Jesus said to another, "Follow me."
He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."
Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
Next time I feel God prompting me to do something, to step out of my little comfort zone and do something that I may not fully understand or even fully agree with, I pray that I will seize the day.
I dont want to let another opportunity to be used for a blessing pass me by. Im sure God used someone else to bless that family on that day, unfortunately I just missed the blessing of being a part of it.
If God whispers something to you today, seize the day.
4 comments:
Oh Tracie, I have done the same thing and felt the deep regret afterwards. I've felt the prompting and I've let the moment pass thinking my timing in handling the situation would be better. How my heart knows and understands.
I have prayed that God would forever remind me of the times I've heard His whisper and justified my actions thinking my plan was better, and then in the long run missed out completely. The pain of the lost moment.
This past week I've been impacted greatly by Travis Cottrell's song, "My Passion". In it he writes, "To the ends of the earth I will follow, There's nothing that I wouldn't do". Oh Tracie, how I want that to be my prayer. I don't know that I'm there yet, but I long to know Him more and follow after Him with no reservations.
May God heal the wound in your heart, but may the scar be an ever present reminder to respond immediately next time.
Love & prayers,
Joy
PS. If you are unfamiliar with Travis's song, click over to my blog. I posted about it yesterday and provided a link. It is well worth the listen.
Everyday I get up and ask the Lord to help me see the opportunity to be a blessing to somebody.
Everyday I get so focused on my own stuff that I miss the opportunities He places before me.
This is a great reminder that we need to listen to that still small voice in our spirits and act quickly. None of us know if this is the last time we will be able to bless someone OR if it is the blessing someone needs to just hold on to hope one more day.
Thank you for sharing this story.
After reading your blog yesterday..every time I thought about it I also would think about the words to Casting Crowns song "Lifsong". May the words I say/ And the things I do/ Make my lifesong sing/ Bring a smile to you Let my lifesong sing for you/I want to sign Your name at the end of this day/ Knowing that my heart was true/ Let my lifesong sing for you.
Your blogs are always an inspiration to me in so many ways. I pray that God will continue to bless you in this area of your life so you can continue to bless others.
Tracie,
Reading your blog made my heart ache as I thought about some times that I've also let God-ordained opportunities slide by.
I'm thankful to serve the God of second and third and fourth...chances. Even though I've had to confess my delays or disobedience as sin, He is so good to use even those failures to relight my fire for immediate obedience--urgency. I needed the reminder today, so thank you for sharing so transparently.
Have a great day, friend!
Amy
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