Present – Five Minute Friday – from LisaJoBaker.com

Five Minute Friday – Present

Present …. The first thought that comes to mind is Van Dyke’s book The 4^th Wise Man – an excellent story about the gifts that each of us brings to the lives we live through the blessings we receive from the Lord. Blessings that, until we give of them to others, prevent us from truly seeing the Lord in our lives.

Present … here and now … challenging my deodorant to live up to its Marathon Sport Clinical Strength labeling when speaking in public about the importance of a blended learning option in our school district.

Present … being able to think on your feet because you’re in the moment, not dwelling on the past not dreaming of the future, but firmly grounded in the path which is set before you – and knowing that the thing you MUST do is take the next right step (thank you Regina Brett for putting it much more eloquently than I)

Present … being able to preorder books from Amazon so they’re waiting for you to rip open the box and dive into the pages when the time is right.

 

Present … the touchstones that remind us of who we are, what we mean to others, how we connect with them and the world around us, the thrumming of the universal language of humanity; not words; but harmony and connection. A touch. A smile. A gift of presence.

 

From Pinterest

Present … being able to laugh and cry at the same time; being blessed to have the words to tell someone else how much they’re valued and how deeply their friendship meets others hearts and emboldens them to go beyond their shell and into the greater good they have to offer the world.

Present … what’s apparently “lacking” from those of us who chose outward migration from our hometown … that gives rise to challenge – a gauntlet as it were – from those who remained and feel that those who departed somehow took the answers and solutions “con migo”

 

Present … with diet dr pepper and the freedom to wear whatever shoes I want after 466 days of sneaker imprisonment! Present … wondering if sometimes Doctor’s Orders are meant to push us to the breaking point … or to repair us from it.

STOP

 

Provision – Heathens & Holiness

A couple of days before Easter 2012, one of the members of the auxiliary at my work recommended Grace Notes by Jim Stephens as one of those books that really helps you connect with God in a meaningful way. I bought the book and from time to time I’ve read that instead of my Mom’s Devotional Bible. It’s got dated pages with a reading & a theme and a prayer (similar to the Mom’s Devotional Bible)

Yesterday it was the perfect reminder & reassurance that saying “thanks, but no thanks; I’m staying put” was the right path for my feet. It sure blessed my socks off; I hope it blesses yours off, too!

 

 

June 3

 

Finished My Work

Reading: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

 

 

But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. (Romans 15:23)

 

It caught my attention that Paul said his work “in these regions” was finished. He refers to his ministry from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Northeast of Italy) and he said his work there was finished! This didn’t mean that everyone in the region was saved. It didn’t mean that all the churches were perfect or had the perfect leadership in place. It also didn’t mean that he was through with hard work, with facing challenges, with taking steps of faith. It simply meant that his specific assignment there was completed.

 

It’s so important to know and be committed to God’s specific assignment for our lives. It’s equally important to be aware of the seasons of our lives and of God’s assignment – to recognize when a season is finished and an assignment is completed.

 

I believe it’s healthy for us to have sincere and deeply held desires for our future. It’s healthy and good to be willing and ready to move toward fulfilling those desires when a current season and a present assignment is finished. But it’s foolish to expect that those desires will be fulfilled in just the way we determined and on the schedule we set.

 

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

 

Prayer:

Father, There’s so much for me to learn from the honest account of the adventures of Paul. Thanks for taking the time to teach me. Thanks for your patience with me when I’m slow to get it. This morning I’m thinking about the importance of knowing your specific assignment for me, and of recognizing the seasons of life and ministry. I’m learning to be honest with you about my deeply held desires. I’m learning about making plans, and about trustingly placing the outcome in your faithful and capable hands. Be it unto me according to your will and your word. Amen!.