The Unexpected Gift

The unexpected gift rarely falls on my side of the fence.

Don't get me wrong. I have what I need and a bit more, so there isn't a need for an unexpected gift.

God has blessed me with a fine husband, three children, a roof over my head, and food on my table. My walls are decorated with kid created art. The Lord has blessed me with a godly church to attend. I am very content.

Perhaps you could say you have most or all of the above, too.

BUT have you ever received an unexpected gift…one that you didn't know you needed? Did it come at a time you never expected? It wasn't Christmas or your birthday. In fact, there wasn't a holiday in spittin' distance.

Hubby had worked many extra hours to raise the funds he'd promised to give to a needy person we knew and I squeezed the fat out of the budget to insure we could help as much as possible. Times were lean this year, but the reward God gave our hearts meant so much.

A week ago, we received an unexpected gift. Hubby and I hardly knew what to say more than smiles of great appreciation. We didn't understand the reason behind the gesture but thanked God for the blessing.

Way before any of us were born, God saw our need. He knew we wouldn't figure out the problem, and He definitely knew we couldn't provide the solution. In His wisdom, God devised the perfect gift to give all of us. He sent His son, Jesus, to live among us, teach us what to do, then take the punishment for our sins, paving the way for us to go to Heaven.

We didn't know we had the need. Yet He gave it to us. Jesus' gift of life is ready for us to accept and open at any time.

In many of Jesus' teachings, He ends with words like, "Go and do likewise."

Let's take a challenge this week.

Think of someone. You may or may not know the person well. It doesn't matter their financial status. Everyone needs to be treated special.

Now consider a gift you could give them. This does not need to be a monetary gift, it can be the gift of time, or help.

Next, plan an unexpected moment. A time that wouldn't impose, of course. Investigate their daily routine and choose a time that would not conflict with something the person does.

Last, give the surprise.

Do you have an idea? You can simply say yes in the comment section.

When you do give the gift…stop back and simply say "done" in the comment section. I hope we fill pages of comments!

Let's all rejoice in well doing.

I'll start. My mom was recently moved to a different room in her care facility. She was happy about the idea because she would room with a friend. I went online to the American Greeting eCards and sent her a "welcome to your new home" card. I made sure it had cute little animals, and a sparky tune like she enjoys. For her this was a new home. I can't wait to hear what my sister says when she helps mom open the eCard!

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear. Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives. You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, niv). Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s “caliber.” Ouch! That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities. It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question. The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail. Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform. The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments. A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...

The Storyteller | Mary Vee

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