[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Sunday, November 4 2012

[Paul]

Hello and good evening to my fellow North Americans, and good day to the rest of you on this Monday in other parts of the world.  I hope that, at least for us North Americans, that you all had a good day in the Lord, by God's matchless grace and His providential care.  To those of you in Europe or the UK it's early morning as I write this, whereas you in Australia and New Zealand are having, I trust, a pleasant Monday afternoon.

I'm sure that, at one time or another, the question has come up in our minds about being able to do something positive for others.  It sure has come up with me.  Thankfully, over the past three years, since May 2009 in fact, quite a few of you have, without knowing it, encouraged me to take giant steps of faith in God, for which I'm eternally grateful.  The following article entitled "Not My Gift" by Ruth O'Neil hopefully will encourage those of you who are still caught in that predicament of knowing what to do for the Lord and, by extension, for others.  Her article is rendered as follows:

A few women at our church started a Bible study. We had hoped that more women in the church would be involved, but only five to six came regularly.

That turned out to be a blessing. During those meetings we all felt comfortable enough to share things with each other that we never would have shared in a large group. We could cry and turn to each other for advice. We grew very close as friends, the kind of friends you can call at any hour of the day or night when prayer is needed. Our Bible study also was a time when we could each develop the gifts God gave us.

I have to be honest and admit that at one point I was jealous of one of my friends. It did not seem to matter where she went; an opportunity always arose for her to witness. For some reason, people just seemed to open up to her. I could not understand why they did not open up to me.

I prayed that the Lord would allow one person to give me a sign to show me that that person needed to hear the love of God from me.

Then it happened.

I was standing in line at the store while my items were being checked out. The cashier complained about her job and how awful her employer was. Her boss would not let her leave early to look for a place to live.

My sarcastic side brought plenty of retorts to mind, such as, "Be glad you have a job" and "I find it hard to believe that you didn't know until today that you needed a new place to live by tomorrow." Instead of saying anything, I left, leaving only a smile.

As I put my bags into my car, I realized that God had given me a choice to make. I had blown it. I should have said something (except, of course, what was on my mind).

It dawned on me then that God did not often put me in situations where I had to think quickly. There is a reason. I am not good at it. I always say the wrong thing or answer sarcastically. That I am very good at.

God gave me a desire and a talent for writing. Those who read what I have written are not aware of all that has been scribbled out as I edited and polished my articles. I cannot scribble over what comes out of my mouth, however.

We all have different talents to use in God's church. What is yours?

Thanks, Ruth, for being so open and honest with your readers, even though, in this case, it's over six years ago.  Now I know she won't read my comments, but it sure doesn't hurt to imagine her reading this email.

Before I close, I have one favor to ask of all of you, and this won't even cost you a penny.  How about that, folks. Something that costs no money but that we all can give.  My friend Carol Taylor is experiencing unbelievable pains in her back where her herniated disk surgery took place.  In addition to all your other prayers on your various prayer lists and not to minimize in any way their importance, could you please pray for Carol that God will give her comfort and a modicum of sleep this night? On her behalf, as they say in Spanish, "muchas gracias por sua attencion." Or, in English, much thanks for your attention.  I know that isn't literal, but the sentiments are there.  Carol will read this on one of the lists. Those of you who have had back pain can probably empathize better than the rest of us what she's going through at this time.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul