Obedience Brings Blessing

I learned this phrase from the Rushings as it is a common phrase around their household. It's said to remind little minds. It's a very simple principle (you would think). For your obedience, blessing is given. I learned firsthand how true this phrase is in my own life this weekend, but from a very different perspective.

I don't think I've ever thought about how my obedience affects other people or vice-versa. Whether I choose to obey or not, my issue. Doesn't really affect other people in an adverse way. But this weekend, I found myself the recipient of someone else's obedience in such a huge way, that it just really overwhelmed me. And now, as I look back even over the past 6 months, I have reaped the blessing of other people's obedience more times than I can count and found myself praying that I would be found faithful to answer obedience so others can reap the rewards. I've been assured by a friend that I do. I'm still trying to convince myself that it's true.

Let me back up a few days to catch you up on my process. In an earlier post, I blogged about how God had allowed the travel agent for my Israel trip to show mercy in working with me regarding the $$. Although she is willing to work with me on it, I completely misunderstood a detail in the email she sent to me. So this past Friday, I received an email from her saying that basically I needed to have a certain amount of $$ to her this week. I began to freak out a bit because having misunderstood the original email, there was absolutely NO way I could come up with the amount she needed. Sadly, I allowed the circumstances to consume me. I left work dejected, confused, wondering why God was testing me to bring me this far in the process only to say, "no child, not now".

I had plans to visit some friends Friday evening and even though I really didn't want to be around people, I knew I needed to not be alone. So I headed out for Game Night and hopefully get my mind off my "woe is me" attitude. What a sad little child I am when things don't go my way.

I arrived at my friends and Game Night commenced. Have you ever walked into a holy moment and you were so consumed by the holiness of the moment that you just didn't know what to do. Words could not be uttered. Thoughts would not form. All you could do is sit there . . . I usually end up crying as well. But on Game Night, of all places. Who would have thought that God would show out during Game Night?

My sweet friends, having not had a game night for about a month or so, innocently asked, "So how's the Israel trip going? Is the $$ coming together?" I had hoped to avoid this subject for the night. I just didn't want to talk about it, think about it . . . nothing. I was just too confused. Why would God bring me this far just to say no. So, having been asked, the flood raged over the river banks and I told where I was at . . . in all it's ugliness of my lack of trust. Looking back, I have put two and two together. But at the moment, it didn't register. I remember looking up and seeing my two friends look back and forth at each other. One started crying . . . the other was very close to tears. I looked back down at the table and continued the story of my confusion at what God was doing.

Cut to the holy moment that we walked right into . . . my friends looked at me and said, "Well, I think God wants us to give you that $$!" Now understand. This is not a small amount of $$. It's close to the amount I bring home in two week pay period. So for someone to look at me and say that they are supposed to give me that amount of $$ is just a bit overwhelming. They then explained that a few weeks ago, it was discovered that work was taking too much $$ out of my friend's paycheck and he had received a reimbursement check . . . get this . . . [insert light from above . . . angels singing . . . this is the moment of revelation]. . . that has not even been cashed yet!! It's still sitting on his dresser. They both knew. This was the reason. The other friend gets the check book and without giving it another thought, writes a check. I just sit there stunned. Just 4 hours ago, I was driving to my friends house leaving a message for myself to start writing a letter to everyone who had given me $$ for this trip. I needed to let them know what was going on. That I would be returning their $$. Then bang. Holy moment. God begins to lavish.

God provided the $$ before I even knew I needed it. He gave my friends the $$ 3 weeks before they knew they would be giving it to me. They had contemplated various ways to use it. A 10th Anniversary trip, household items, things for the kids. It should have been easy to come up with a way to use that $$. But every time they thought of something, they explained, they just weren't at peace to spend it. Obedience. Then I come along and God uses opportunity for their obedience. And I reap the blessing from their obedience. To think that God used their obedience to bless me, well, I'm so undeserving. Actually, as I think about it, every gift that I've been given as $$ for this trip is just that. Friends who are allowing God to bless me through their obedience. It is just absolutely overwhelming how He lavishes His love on me.

Over the weekend, God brought something else to my mind that I had completely forgotten about in the midst of my confusion then utter speechlessness of what He chose to do. I remember Friday morning, I woke up with the words, "Do you trust me?" in my head. I couldn't figure out if maybe it was from a dream that I had earlier, or maybe from a movie I watched the night before. I remember at one point thinking, "Okay, God. Are You asking me if I trust You? Well, I think I do. Are You asking me generically if I trust You or is there something specific?" But the whole day, the words kept rolling around in my head. Then the email arrives and the words are gone until the next morning. I wish I could say that I unashamedly trusted Him. But I'm afraid I faltered. The circumstances consumed me. Then a small voice whispers, "I told you to trust me, daughter. I have it under control."

Obedience brings blessing. Indeed it does. Jehovah, thank You for lavishing Your love on me out of the obedience of the friends You have given me. Please give me the strength to trust You in all things not just in the obvious. May I also be found faithful so that others can be lavished upon as a result of my obedience. I can't wait to see what's next on the journey because You apparently want me to go to Jerusalem! Thank You!!

I Had a Date!

Now normally, this would incite many questions from friends and family because I just don't do a lot of dating. Truth be known, it's been quite a while... well, at least with someone near my own age! You see, I actually have dates all the time... just with adorable children all under the age of 9. And they're not real dates really although I usually am treated like a lady and get hugs and kisses at the end of the said date. Yesterday was such a day.

I broke protocol and asked my date out rather than being asked out to see "Evan Almighty". I later found out that I actually had stolen my date. He had already made plans for another date to see this movie. But in his words, "Sure. That would be great. Mom and I can do something else." So plans were made. We were off to see "Evan Almighty" which had been deemed 6-year-old-appropriate.

I, of course, was late (am I ever not late?) but we had planned for plenty of time. I called to let him know I was running a few minutes behind because I was at the bank and it was taking me longer than I had anticipated. "That's ok, Awa. I have $7." In his mind, I think he thought he could finance the best of dates on that $7!

I got to the house and we got the booster car seat swapped and we were off. He was a bit quiet on the drive to the movie theater. I got a little concerned because he ALWAYS has something to talk about especially since he had told me he just received the latest issue of his Lego magazine!

We pulled into the movie theater parking lot. As I turned off the car, he looked at me a little concerned. "Um, Awa. I really want to be able to open your door for you but I'm buckled in and can't get it unlocked." I sighed with a smile on my face and said, "That's okay." We walked to the ticket booth holding hands. Eli asked for his wallet (which he had asked me to keep in my purse). I handed my $$ to the cashier. . . enough for just for my ticket. She looked at me. Then looked at Eli. Then back at me. I proudly announced, "We're on a date and we're going dutch." Eli then handed his $7 and announced said, "Here's my $7 and I'm 6 1/2." The way the little cashier lady was smiling, I dare say we made her day as Eli then took my hand again with our tickets in his other hand and we made our way to the entrance of the theater. As we arrived at the door, my young gentleman stepped in front of me, opened the door, waved his hand towards inside and said, "After you."

If I didn't already completely love this boy before, I sure do now! Eli, thanks for making your Awa feel so special!