Hands of God

Food for thought on this Sunday.

AKA – A Sermon kind of blog except it is too disorganized to be a real sermon. Not even 3 points beginning with the same letter. I guess I just want to take time to say I appreciate so many people in my life and give a few ‘atta boys’.

In other words, an old lady’s random musings.

I would like to take time to thank the workers at Mom’s retirement home who all have the patience of the greatest saints! Incredible! They follow the words of Peter who said to ‘use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ As I watch them faithfully care for the elderly with such tenderness, I am blessed and challenged to do the same.

Every day, a short devotional comes to my email inbox. Eric Speir’s insights spur me to draw closer to God.  His book, Grit and Grace, shows his talent as a serious writer intent on doing what God has called him to do. I am a rambling writer. Eric hits the nail on the head every time.

Then there are those behind the scenes such as former book editor, Chad R Allen, who is now a writing coach. I’m always excited to see where his tutoring will take the writing skills of people I send his way.

There are those from my past who still are blessing me. I’ve always said my friend Donna could pray the house down. And guess what? She is now going to be a prayer counselor for the Billy Graham prayer line! How cool is that?!! I’m sure glad my family is on her prayer list.

Another friend, Vicky, is the most faithful of those who read my blogs. Her encouraging words mean more than I can say.

I am always blessed by those with the gift of helping others. Patsy stopped by the other day to pick up garden detritus for her chickens. In no time at all, she was helping me prepare the vegetables themselves for processing. I love when I have my Celebrate Life Parties and everyone pitches in at cleanup time. When one of my grandsons offers an arm to stabilize the old Grammie, I am thrilled. I’m not sure the gift of ‘helps’ is in my skill set. Probably should be. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

There are pastors who week after week put up with congregations who demand so much time and strain the emotions beyond the limits of most of us. Yet, they stand up on Sunday morning and preach the Word with power. Blessings to all ministers for living out Hebrews 13:16 ‘for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.’

As I look forward to this Thursday when I can shuck these gosh-awful glasses, I am particularly thankful for doctors and other health professionals and their staff who put up with whining hypochondriacs such as my own sweet self. As they help heal the sick, the lame are helped to walk, and the blind are made to see, do they realize the skill they have comes from God? Whatever their religious beliefs, I thank God He allows His wisdom to work through their efforts.

But herein lies my question for the day. Do all these people know they are being the hand of God? As they use the gifts God has given them (?whether they acknowledge that or not?) do they realize in serving others, they are extending God’s grace?

But I guess the most important musing for me is the self-reflection question – what can I do to be the hand of God to others?

Blessings

KB

And of course, a BIG ‘atta boy’ to the old man who is preparing supper as I write. Yay, Ronald!