My husband and I conduct church services in four area nursing homes. Frequently, the temperature in the rooms where we meet is a bit warm for my taste. However, I know the residents often tend to feel cool, and this is their home, so I have never said anything about it.
On Tuesday, after Glen and I finished singing during our hymn time, I looked for a place to sit while he gave his message. There was an open chair near the back of the room. I hesitated to sit in it, though, because I was already feeling warm, and this chair was directly in front of the heater.
I went ahead and sat there, and to my incredible joy, the heater was not on. Better yet, the air conditioner was. My chair was positioned directly in front of the vent so I could sit there during Glen's message with blissful, cold air blowing on my back.
It was such a little thing, but as soon as I sat in that chair and felt the comfort of the cold air, I thought, "Lord, you really do love me!"
Sometimes, I think we tend to recognize the Lord's work in our lives only when "big" things occur—when we see obvious answers to prayer or provisions appear just before the need.
But our God is the Master of the little things, too.
Several months ago, my husband introduced our youngest grandchildren, aged 6 and 8, to the joy of watching the cartoon Tom and Jerry. This show debuted on the CBS Saturday morning schedule on September 25, 1965. Glen and I would have both been eight years old then. I don't know how many times we have watched it in the sixty years since. Judging by their laughter and giggles when they watch it, our young grandchildren love it as much as we did.
To complete their joy, our oldest daughter surprised them Sunday with Tom and Jerry stuffed animals. They were an immediate and HUGE hit! Our granddaughter has even made Jerry his own little bed in her bed.
Those stuffed animals were a small thing, relatively speaking. But to our grandchildren, they were a big thing. They brought great joy to our grandchildren —and to us—by watching them play with them.
I know for a fact my daughter had great joy in giving them the stuffed animals. She had joy in listening to their squeals of laughter as they played with them.
It was such a little thing. But she had great joy in giving great joy.
This is how it is with our Lord. He loves to bring us joy in the little things, as well as the big things. It is up to us to realize that every time - every time - we experience joy in something, He has been the source. It is His gift to us, no matter what human agents were used to bring it to us. His love for us, His joy in us, and His never-waning being with us are gifts He gives to us every moment
The truth is, He is the gift.
He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."
2 Corinthians 9:15
No comments:
Post a Comment