The Quarter On The Wall

We sat on concrete blocks and talked all day while the others were working. I guess that's how we roll :) We shared stories and encouraged each other to walk with God more. To trust Him more. To believe Him more. A year ago I met Eli and today she is such a dear friend.

Once she told me a story about her youngest brother, Andrew. They were leaving a restaurant and the waitress proudly proclaimed that she didn't believe in God. Andrew turned around and looked the woman in the eye. Filled with compassion, he told her about what God had done for him... for her... how God had provided His Son as an atonement for his sin. Only he said it in kid words.

He pulled a quarter out of his pocket and told the woman that he was going to ask God to hold the quarter on the wall. He put the quarter up to the wall and as he removed his finger he shared the gospel with her. When he had said what God wanted him to say, he touched the quarter and it fell into his hand.

I remember the day Eli told me the story. Because I picked up every rock and held it to the wall of a nearby home hoping that it would stay in place. Not to test God, but to see something amazing like that. Something crazy. I remember how I tried to cast the doubt out of my mind, but I couldn't. And each time the rock fell to the ground.

I forgot about that story until today. Andrew was holding something shiny in his hand. a quarter. Joy filled my heart as I remembered the story and I asked Andrew to hold it up to the wall. He removed his finger and the quarter remained on the wall. My heart flooded with emotion and I praised the Lord with all that is within me. And then I said, "Who holds the quarter on the wall, Andrew?"

"The Lord holds the quarter on the wall."

Rest + Peace + Joy

Today, I just want to soak up His blessings. I want to be still and simply enjoy the fact that He delights in me. I will walk with Him today and remember the rest, peace and joy that He has promised through His Son. And He stirs a great desire in my heart for you to do the same.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103

Visiting the Orphanage

We pulled into the orphanage and children began to run to us. They pulled us in different directions to show us their drawings on the wall and how they could play the drums. 

I couldn't understand what they were saying as they talked to me, but I remember the great love that poured from my heart yesterday. I wanted to pick them up and tell them of God's great love for them and how He sent His son for them. And there is full life with Him. I wanted to tell them over and over again what the Lord has done for us. I wanted them to know that He is compassionate and He cares for them in the most amazing kind of way. Because even though their mothers and fathers have abandoned them, the Lord will hold them close (Psalm 27:10). 

Faithful to His Promises

The birds were singing just outside the window this morning. And the smell of fresh flowers filled the air. I am so very thankful for today.

The Lord is faithful to all His promises. Psalm 145:13