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The Faithful One

This is such a beautiful time of year when we consciously take time to focus on family and friends. And we ponder the significance of the season...the birth of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. He was born to die for us so that we could know God personally, without our sin separating us from Him. Because of Jesus we are able to enjoy an intimate relationship with God, our Father.

A friend sent me this Christmas greeting that highlights truths about Jesus that we may forget during our busy lives. I wanted to share it with you because it reminds us how blessed we are to know Jesus, The FAITHFUL ONE!  

Jesus the faithful one christmas card.

As this year ends, I hope we will take time to recall the amazing things God has done for us during 2023. Some experiences were joy-filled; others were sorrowful. Yet, God has been with us in each experience, whether to celebrate or to bring comfort. God wants us to remember this year.

As 2024 approaches, God wants us to look forward. To anticipate, to hope, to dream. To open ourselves to new challenges and walk through open doors. Ask God to prepare you for what lies ahead. He has plans for you so listen carefully to His Holy Spirit. God wants us to follow Him into the New Year. 

My Thanks to God

The long-ago song, My Tribute, floated into my heart today. The words drew me into a precious time of singing and thanking God for all He has done for me this year.

May these beautiful words also help you bless God during this Season of Thanksgiving.

MY TRIBUTE 

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

Just let me live my life
Let it pleasing, Lord to Thee
And if I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary

With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

Songwriter: Andraé Crouch

Grocery Store Experience – Part Two

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The impact of my experience in the grocery store last month didn’t fade away after I related the story in my September blog. The extraordinary events of that day, that involved a store clerk, an old man, and God’s presence, lingered in my heart. (Click here if you want to read the beginning of the story!)

Because of what the store clerk and I witnessed that day, I longed to see him again and relive the wonder. God showed up because of my prayer that morning:

Please help Your presence be obvious in my encounters and conversations with people today.

The clerk and I hadn’t exchanged names, so I called customer service. I described him the best I could, and the man on the phone concluded it was Frank. When I explained I wanted to come to the store to talk with Frank, he said, “He’s working today and will have a break at noon.”

I climbed into my Malibu for the short drive to the store, where I caught the attention of an employee coming out of the customer service area. After explaining my mission, the man pointed to Frank’s aisle.

I turned. There he was, full of energy and smiles for his customers, just as he was the day I stood in his aisle to pay for my purchases.

As the clock approached noon, the service man informed me of his plan to tell Frank that someone was waiting to see him. My excitement mounted. Our reunion was about to begin.

I hovered near Frank’s isle. He finished with his last customer, tossed the “closed” sign on the conveyor belt, and looked up with a huge smile.

“How are you?” He remembered me!

I beamed! “I wanted to come see you again after what happened last month.” He came around the counter and gave me a big hug. After the old man left the store during my first visit, Frank and I talked about our mutual desire to show God's love to others, which formed a natural bond.

We took turns describing how each part of that morning impacted us.

“Thank you for paying the balance of the old man’s bill that day. That was very kind,” Frank said.

“I knew Jesus wanted me to.”

Frank continued, “Every day I encounter that kind of situation, especially with those depending on state funds. I always try to help them.” When I inquired further, he humbly confirmed he paid out of his own pocket.

I also learned that Frank had retired, but returned because he loves being around people and serving on the customer service team. It’s a perfect fit. And obviously part of God’s mission for him.

Then I handed Frank a copy of my September blog. “I wrote this story about our shared experience and I want you to have a copy.” Tears welled up in his eyes. “Thank you so much. I’ll read it during my break and probably cry.”

We agreed that God had orchestrated everything that took place in that narrow check-out aisle, including the chance to acknowledge God to the old man.

After hugging once more, we parted ways. I headed toward the door, but suddenly had an urge to take a picture, almost as if I needed visual confirmation that God’s unique answer to my prayer truly happened.

I called to Frank. “Let’s take a picture as a remembrance.” He immediately recruited a friend to help.

God uses each of us in creative ways to show His love to others.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him
in every place.
 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God
among those who are being saved and
among those who are perishing."
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NASB) 

Many viewers responded to my original post by relating ways God has used them to make a difference in people’s life. I selected a few stories that I hope will inspire you as you seek ways to become the “fragrance of Christ” to those around you.

Pat Hunt

Gail, I read your story about your encounter with the “older” man in the grocery store. You asked your audience if we had unforeseen encounters when God used us to minister to those God put in our path.

Yesterday, in the common area at the Westmoreland Union Manor, I ran into my friend, Bonnie, whom I hadn’t seen for a long time. Her health had declined, so I told her I’d pray for her. She was astounded that I’d write her name in my already-long prayer list. She thanked me and we parted ways, only to be reunited later that day in a local grocery store, by God’s providential timing.

We talked more about God and His Promises in His Word. The word “hope” dropped into my mind, and I told Bonnie to hang onto hope, for without hope we tend to give up. I added, “I’ll find a promise in the Word and claim that for you.”

She got teary-eyed and asked me to let her know the promise. A few hours later, while looking for a card to give to her, I found a small packet of Hallmark cards I’d forgotten about. The front of one card said, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV). Wow! That was the perfect verse and promise for her. I felt blessed to write this promise of hope in her card!

I pray each day that God will use me, and I will be ready in season and out of season!

Rebecca Carpenter

I loved your story. I also ask each day how I can help someone. My husband, Alan, always used to say, “We never know who is watching.”

Lois Nobles

Yes, we express God’s love in actions in daily life. Gail is always ready to do this.

I was with a friend and suddenly she chocked up and could not breath or speak normally. Her face became pale and expressionless. I prayed out load, “Breath is God’s inspiration, He maintains our normal body functions, and He is present here and now. We are his spiritual creations. Human mortal circumstances cannot change our perfection and relationship with God.”

Soon after my prayer, she regained her normal breathing and speech. We thanked God for saving her life.

Beth Augee

I love your musings. Besides hearing about how God is using you and your literary giftings, it also shows your continuing sharing of Jesus as a way of life.

That is what Rod and I love to do. In fact, last Monday, while sharing "7 Ways Doing a Puzzle Benefits You" to a group of recovering heart patients, I caught the eyes of a first-timer to our monthly meetings. She had just shared her heart story, including the words, "Well, at least it is better than the alternative (meaning death)."

God spoke through me, as I smiled and said, "Because I am a Christian, the alternative sounds pretty good to me."

She smiled back, and several others, whom I knew are followers of Jesus, also smiled with looks of joy and confirmation. The other attendees heard about the hope that only Jesus can give them.

Fourteen years ago, I had a heart attack and have had several other moderate heart issues since then. Because I wanted to “give back” to the local hospital for their excellent care, I became a volunteer and began visiting heart patients and families in the Cardiac Care unit.

When a national heart support group, Mended Hearts, was in the process of opening a chapter at our hospital, I became involved. I served as president of three chapters over twelve years. Though not a Christian organization, Mended Hearts opened many doors for love and encouragement to people in hours of fear and unknown futures. Volunteering with Mended Hearts gave me many opportunities to share the love and saving grace of God.

Click here if you want to read the beginning of this story in my previous blog.

To comment on this blog, use the box below.

God’s Presence in the Every Day

One morning I wrote my prayers to God in my journal, beginning with these words:

Please help Your presence be obvious in my encounters and conversations with people today.

The next morning, when I opened my journal and glanced at the prayer request I'd written the day before, I laughed out loud! You see, God had caused yesterday’s events to unfold exactly the way I prayed.

Come with me to the nearby grocery store. After perusing the aisles and checking items off my list, I rolled my cart to an available row and stood in line. I bantered with the young man in back of me.

Then I became aware of some kind of confusion at the end of the aisle where an old man was struggling to swipe his SNAP card because his hands were shaking. He handed the card to the clerk, who rang it up at the register. Then came the unexpected announcement, “Sir, you still owe $9.45.”

The bewildered man stared at the clerk and then pointed to the fully-loaded cart, as if to say, “But everything is ready to go.”

I knew the customer couldn’t pay, so I instinctively reached in my purse for my billfold.

The clerk explained to him, “Your card paid the $54 for groceries, but it won’t pay for the wine.”

I piped up, “I’ll pay the balance.”  Inside, I smiled at the irony of paying for the man’s wine rather than healthy food.

The young clerk looked at me hesitatingly, then accepted the $10 bill from my outstretched hand and returned the change. “Thank you, young lady.”

The stooped man swiveled his body to get a glimpse of his rescuer. I smiled at him and declared, “That was from God.”

He scoffed out loud at the mention of God’s name. Now released from his debt, though, he placed both hands on his cart and ambled toward the door.

I stepped up to the counter. “Thank you, again, young lady, for what you did.” (I was really liking the “young lady” part by then.”)

I shrugged my shoulders. “That’s why we’re alive.”

His eyes twinkled and a smile spread across his handsome face. “That is so true. I encounter this kind of thing every day and I try to help.”

“I can tell you know Jesus!” I said.

His smile broadened.

Right there in the aisle of that ordinary, neighborhood store, God’s presence surrounded the four of us. The young man behind me observed all that transpired, and surely God planted a seed in his heart. The unbelieving man’s monetary dilemma shifted to a full resolution, and in the process he heard the name of God. The store clerk received unexpected encouragement that day and also a chance to affirm his faith. My heart exploded with joy, because God had touched each one of us in a special way.

God asks us to be ready “in season and out of season,” because we never know when He might want to use us to carry out His plan.

Do you remember a time you prayed and God answered in an amazing way?

A Race for Survival

The Motherly Ways of God

Genuine Love

A man holding a child's hand.

This morning I’m remembering my grandmother. When the topic of love of family crops up, Grandmartie is always at the top of my list.

My fondest and earliest memory is hearing her sweet voice singing a lullaby to me. Her arms enfolded me as she slowly tipped us back and forth in her rocking chair.

She loved my visits to her home. Delight spread across her face when I pranced into her kitchen after bounding up her back stairs. I eagerly walked into her first hug.

Living within walking distance of her home made it easy for me to see her often. Sometimes during our visits, when she had to tend to chores, I explored the attic, trying on old clothes and playing with her childhood dolls.

Grandmartie’s phone calls to my home always seemed to arrive at the perfect moment. Our conversations flowed easily.

As a rather shy teen, I received some wise advice from her that remains in my mind. “Gail, whenever you can’t think of something to say, just smile.” Not surprisingly, smiling at people comes easily to me. Most often the person smiles back. In that moment I see pleasure, and sometimes hope, in their eyes.

When I moved to my college dorm, she wrote beautiful and descriptive letters that left me feeling as if she were sitting beside me.

The most precious treasure Grandmartie deposited in my heart were her words about Jesus. Each time she talked about Him, her eyes sparkled. From early years, she created in me a desire to know Jesus like she did.

During my sophomore year, when I made my personal decision to invite Jesus into my life, Grandmartie is the one I called. Our hearts grew even closer.

When I began my career as a missionary, God revealed His plan for my life: to lead others to the Savior. That’s what Grandmartie had been doing her whole life. When she and my grandfather moved into a retirement home, she found many more people to love, and encourage, and introduce to Jesus.

After my grandfather passed away, her life remained full. Even when dealing with the inconvenience of macular degeneration and the eventual move to a care center, her sweet spirit and loving smiles continued.

A few months before her 100th birthday, God called her Home. Though we can no longer see each other, I will always remember the sound of Grandmartie’s lullabies and the love she poured into my life that drew me to her Savior.

During this month of love, I hope you will take time to remember the person who first filled your heart with love for Jesus.

 

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

(Jeremiah 31:3)

How Many Kings

An ornate gold throne with red velvet.

My clock radio awakened me with a song I’d never heard before: “How Many Kings.” I laid still, mesmerized by the words.

Once I began working on my computer that morning, I found the link to the original video performed by Downhere. As I watched the lead singer pour out his heart, he became lost in the words just as I had. The rest of the day I kept singing the song, because it brought me straight to the manger. The baby lying there reminded me of all Jesus had given up to make sure I could receive God’s precious gift of salvation.

You may already be familiar with this song, but I want to present these words in black and white and give you a moment to once again ponder the significance of the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ.


Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we’ve projected

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl

Just a child

Is this who we’ve waited for?

 

‘Cause how many kings step down from their thrones

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

 

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior

All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross He will suffer

Do you believe?

Is this who we’ve waited for?

 

How many kings step down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me

 

Oh, all for me, oh

All for me, all for you

All for me, all for you

 

Nothing but this song is on my heart to give you today. May your personal celebration of Jesus Christ take on greater meaning as you ponder all He did for you.

For today in the city of David

There has been born for you

A Savior, who is Christ, the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: 

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths,

and lying in a manger.  (Luke 2:11-12)

Featured

Path of Freedom

A bench next to a tree in a field.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

You have come to a safe place where we can share our victories and our challenges. Sometimes we need to pause and process what is happening in our lives so we can make progress on our journey of life. 

When God showed me His path of freedom, I was able to let go of my fear of rejection and become the authentic person God created me to be. I don't know where you are on your personal journey, but I hope my blogs and the comments of others will  give you courage to move from fear to freedom. 

Please feel free to ask questions, share thoughts, or give your response to a blog. Simply click on the title of the blog, and leave your comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

Broken Bones and Hospitals

A doctor is examining a patient's hand.

My great niece Piper and I, and her friend Val, were enjoying a girls’ day together. We’d been to my nail salon for their manicure and had wandered in and out of various stores in Orlando’s Fashion Square Mall.

After grabbing a quick lunch, we finished our shopping at Target around 5:00 that Thursday afternoon. We were pleased with how much we’d packed into our day, since the two girls and my nephew Casey were headed back to South Carolina the next morning.

We were talking and laughing as we walked across the Target parking lot, my car already in sight. Suddenly, without warning, my right foot started slipping out of my open sandal. As I stood on my left foot and tried to maneuver my errant right foot back into place, I lost my balance. Without anything to grab hold of, I splashed on to the concrete.

As soon as I landed, both girls and several people from a nearby car quickly surrounded me. “Are you all right?” they yelled at the same time. I stayed quiet. My distorted left hand confirmed I was in trouble. After the group gingerly lifted me up, I steadied my left arm with my right hand.

We were in shock as the girls slowly guided me to my car. “You need to go to the hospital,” Piper said. Her sweet hug kept me from bursting into tears.

She called her dad, who had stayed behind at my house. As soon as Casey heard the news, he immediately grabbed an Uber and headed toward Target. After he arrived and asked me which hospital, he jumped into the car and drove us to the ORMC emergency room.

The four of us huddled together in the crowded ER, listening for my name to be called. The check of my vitals came quickly, soon followed by an x-ray. However, the call to go upstairs to confer with a doctor wouldn’t come until the next morning!

Meanwhile, my little team of encouragers stayed close by me, but we were weary and at a loss for words. As the evening wore on and no news had come, I looked at Casey and said, “You and the girls go out and get something to eat.” My body had put my appetite on hold.

Casey told me he wanted to accompany me upstairs to talk with the doctor. However, when nothing had changed by the time they returned to the hospital at 10:30 p.m., I hugged them goodbye and sent them home to get some sleep before their departure in the morning. I felt lonely without them, but I knew God was beside me.

Casey called me from the house at midnight. His words of endearment and encouragement poured love and comfort into my parched soul.

Then my cell phone died. Fortunely, earlier in the evening my friend Ella happened to call me and discovered I was in the hospital. However, now my lifeline was gone.

After dozing off and on during the long Thursday night, I heard someone call my name at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning. Finally freed from my captivity, I happily followed the nurse to my large room upstairs. Lying flat in a bed never felt so good.

Shortly, the head doctor came in. “After looking at the x-rays of your broken radius and ulna bones, I recommend surgery,” he said. I agreed.  Because I had a large room, he and his team set up camp there. After the painful process of maneuvering everything back into place, they created a temporary splint until surgery the next day.

A bright spot came Friday evening when Ella decided to call the ER. They transferred her call to the nurse in my room, who handed me her cell phone. Hearing Ella's voice connected me to life again. Soon after updating her and explaining my dilemma, she walked into my room for a visit, bearing my cell charger.

At 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning, my door burst open and the light from the hallway blinded me. A nurse exclaimed, “We found you a room!” They simply rolled me in my bed across the pedestrian overpass and deposited me in a private room in the Jewett Orthopedic Center.

Later that morning, while being prepped for surgery, the cute staff girl and I carried on a lively conversation until the drug kicked in. Of course, I remember nothing until I woke up in my own room that afternoon.

I though I would be discharged, but because of my low blood pressure, the team decided to keep me overnight. I sighed. Finally, on Sunday morning, after four days of confinement, my nurse wheeled me downstairs and out into the sunlight. Sweet release.

Now, for the most important part of my story: The results of my accident. I sensed the enemy had arranged the whole scenario. He loved putting me out of commission with only one functioning hand and isolated from my friends. What he didn’t foresee, though, was he had opened the way for me to take God into the hospital!

Two women nurses, who came to check on me at separate times, put their hand on my shouder and said, “You’re beautiful.” Now, I knew I didn’t look beautiful after being bruised and battered, my makeup long gone, and sporting a cast and hospital gown.

I smiled and said, “I don’t feel beautiful.” Both of them continued to look into my eyes. My take: they saw a light in me. When we have God inside us, He shines His light through our eyes, our smiles, our countenance. God declares,

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

I saw something bright in their faces, too, which prompted me to say, “You know Jesus, don’t you?” Each of them quickly confirmed, “Yes, I do.” A sisterhood was formed. In the hospital. Enemy’s plan? No! God’s plan? Yes! He created a way for the three of us to proclaim we are His daughters and to lift Him up.

God wasn’t finished revealing His plan. Since I was quite helpless after the surgery in the orthopedic ward, God brought me three special helpers—my main nurse, Julia, and her amazing assistants, Remeel and Madeline. They anticipated my every need, came whenever I called for them, and seemed to relish the chance to serve me.

In that atmosphere, we all bonded. Remeel and I had the most to talk about, since he is a Filipino and I lived in the Philippines for many years. When I told Remeel about my relationship with Jesus, he listened; yet, I sensed this was a seed-planting opportunity. I knew God would bring others to water the seeds I'd planted in his heart. On my last morning I had a chance to tell Remeel, "You are the best. You helped me every day and always seemed to know what I needed. Thank you for caring for me.” He smiled.

My young nurse Madeline was only with me for one morning, but her cheerfulness brightened my day. Before my discharge on Sunday morning, Julia, the nurse fully responsible for my care, came to my room. I was already dressed and ready to go and sitting on my bed. She sat down beside me to explain my final instructions. When we stood, she reached for me and said, “I want to hug you because you’re so sweet.”

This team of three was God’s gift to me. I believe my gifts to them were my smile, my personal interest in them, my words of thanks, and my lack of grouchiness, moaning, or complaining. I trust God helped me communicate His love to them. I was excited when God gave me the idea of mailing the three of them a thank-you note to show my appreciation. Surely, that became another touch from God.

God wants us to personally connect with the people we meet, doesn’t He? He will shine His light through us, give us the words to say, and lead us to people who need to know how much He loves them. What a privilege we have to represent our God everywhere we go, even in the hospital.

Where have you been able to shine God’s light recently? Tell us your story below.