Broken But Not Beaten and Soar on Eagles Wings!

I had the opportunity to be reconnected with one of our Christmas Wish List recipients and her family. Her husband was with her on this particular day.  She began explaining how they are having a difficult time and struggling just to put a roof over their two boys head; literally. So I found what all of the agencies they have exhausted and then it happened. The father's heart was completely broken. I asked him if he was tired, and he replied yes. He made the comment a couple of times that he was ready to give up. I tried to encourage him not to, but he said it a couple more times. Then it was as if the Lord nudged my shoulder and said "ask him." So I asked him if he was ready to surrender his life and will over to the care of God. That God has the answers for all of his problems. God knows your heart and when it is true and sincere, he is ready to change you from the inside out. Todd was crying and I could see his heart was broken and he was ready for something good in his life to happen.
I'm not a man, but seeing Todd hurting over the fact that he could not provide for his sons broke my heart. I asked if he was ready to pray and he said he wanted to do it. Let me tell you, I couldn't lead anyone into a prayer of repentance as Todd was lead by the Holy Spirit.
If you know me, I am going to share the word with anyone that will listen, so I opened up my mouth. I told Todd that the word of God are promises such as "Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up" (James 4:10 if you're wondering). I shared a few other scriptures about how God says he will bless him by accepting the salvation of His son Jesus Christ. I talked with the boys about what their dad just did and how humbling it is for him to surrender everything. We talked about forgiveness and hurts. We talked about how God doesn't waste a hurt either. The boys seemed to be interested.
By the time my friends left the office their four walls were taken care of. We don't have any shelter facilities here in Putnam County, but I  know that one day we will. The facilities in Jacksonville and Daytona only cater to those in their county.
It was interesting how the boys have wanted to go camping and now they were on their way. They had plans to get a friends tent and honestly rough it in the woods. I don't know what has happened to this family in the past 24 hours, but I know one thing to be true. Just as God was the pillar of light at night for the Jews. God was a lamp to their feet and light to their path.
I am privileged to work in a place where I can honestly see him at work in people's lives. I see him at work in my life. Though you may not see him at work in your life, I am sure he is.
Blessings come to those who following him, do what he tells you to do in the "if's" of the word. Pay close attention to the "Therefore's" too.  There are a lot of lessons to be learned by those scriptures. Some will keep you from the traps of the devil when you follow them. Others may give you warnings or answers to what you are facing or about to face.
I truly believe that when we pray "Lord whatever it takes," He takes seriously and good things come to those who persevere. Our prize isn't from the WIIFM station "What's in it for Me" now but what's in it for me when I surrender now.
It has been a few weeks and they called me. I was in tears to hear how the Lord has provided a home and a job for Todd to care for his family. He has a new outlook on life and is ready to step into truth teaching again. I am excited for Todd and looking to partner with him on future projects.


~Be encourage...Isn't God good?

We Never Know Why

Call me gluten for punishment, but I have a heart to help those that are less fortunate. There seems to be people within my path lately that are less fortunate and I try to offer a helping hand. There is one young lady that I can't figure out if she wants something more, but feels unworthy to receive it or is truly into her stuff. She is a young mother with a 17 month old. She didn't give him up for adoption when she found out she was pregnant because she thought he was her meal ticket. Now what?  The mother and child is homeless. Daddy is in another unhealthy relationship because he is being abused. I wanted to give them a hand up, but I could only give a hand out. I felt lead so I did what I thought was best.  I paid for a hotel to get the mother to sit still and give the boy some rest. However within less than an hour I returned to give her some food for the child and they weren't there. I left the food and a note with a contact number to call if she needed a hand up. I took a friend with me so I wasn't alone, it may have been my only smart choice in this situation.  We walked the grounds in case she was having a smoke at the side of the building, but nothing. There was a man of God there that spoke life into our hearts. He said "God will bless you for your heart is true." I cried out to God for the lesson here. My heart was heavy and tears filled my eyes.  With all of the recent activities with the homeless, I have been given a vision to open a homeless shelter. When I said to God "yes Lord, I will do as you lead to get it up and running,"  I have had people walk in my path that can and will help me. It is amazing, but that is God. There are some people within our community that will tell me it can't be done but I know what my God says about that....."with God nothing is impossible."  Well on my way home, I heard the question "are you going to quit? Just give up it's not worth it." I quickly said anything done for the Lord is worth it. Helping this young women wasn't about her response. No it was about my obedience to Christ and His mission. It is about God pursuing this young women. God didn't give up on me and he won't give up on those He loves. I woke in the early hours from a dream. It was odd. It was as if the days events continued in my dream. I was walking the parking lot as if I was looking for her, just as my friend and I did at the hotel. This time a car, like a Lincoln, turned into the parking lot. As the car passed by I saw two men in the front seat and the young lady in the right side of the back seat. As they passed, her head was leaning on her right hand, had the same shirt on when I left her, and I could see my head turning and eyes watching them as they pass. Her face was exhausted looking eyes had an expression of careless attitude.  The next scene in this dream was of me. It was a picture of who I was and not who I am now. One of the two young men from the car was trying to get me to have sex with him. I said "no" grabbed my shoes and was leaving. The man followed me outside and the sweet talk began. You know ladies that " you're so beautiful. Any man would be grateful to belong to you." This time in my dream, I chose to walk away. He didn't chase me and wasn't violent in any fashion. It was my dream and I think I had taken the thought captive in my dream.  I woke up at that moment. I was wowed by this. The first thing that came to my mind was to repent for agreeing with any part that wasn't of God. Next scripture came to my mind. "when you who are spiritually strong see a brother in sin, go a gently lift him up, but be careful lest you fall." Satan wants to trip us up and separate us from a loving God because he wants what God has and is. Satan will never have it though. I belong to God the Father Almighty and I am His. I choose the good guys team.  But what about others? Some people don't know Jesus Christ and need Him in their lives. I want an opportunity to introduce them to Him. I don't care if the young women accepts my help, but I care about her seeing God's hand on her life. She may get the baby taken away if she keeps up on her road or may end up in worse conditions. However, I did what I was called to do. I introduced her to Jesus none the less. More importantly, I know that I must persevere for the prize of Jesus Christ. I have to remember too, Jesus couldn't even save the whole world.  ~Be encourage that God doesn't waste a hurt or help Marjorie

Laura, an Angel?

I have recently found that Laura whom I thought was an angel, was not an angel as I had idealized. However she is an angel sent by God to birth a long time dream or idea within many of us.
Let me explain from the beginning. If you have not read my story about "Her name was Laura," I encourage you to read it before you continue. Laura was an angel within my life.
One early morning I was on my way into a meeting a local Pastor. On the west side of the bridge I saw...Laura. I had to keep my appointment with my Pastor, but I wanted to go pick up Laura and talk with her.  I was a woman of my word by meeting the Pastor and was able to be reunited with Laura. As strange as it may sound to you, I took her home to continue getting ready for work. I offered a shower and a meal to Laura as she declined one and accepted the other. I was at peace as I offered it to her. I  then asked her if she would like some clean clothes to wear, but she humbly asked for a pair of shoes. If I had a pair of shoes in her size I would have given them to her, but as it was I do not wear a size a ten but five or smaller. I can hear you laughing.
I then proceeded to the Hardly Used Boutique and attempted to find a pair of shoes, but they are remodeling their system and now they have a new process to help the under served. I helped Laura up to a certain point before I had to get to work. Laura was grateful for the assistance I gave to her.
I want to share with you a little bit more about Laura's journey. She has been on the streets for eighteen years. We talked about the series of events and choices that lead her to the abandoned home.
She talked about how she was hurt by those closest to her and held a lot of unforgiveness which turned to bitterness and resentment. Laura and I talked about her life growing up with comparison to today. She talked about how she loves the Lord, walks with Him, and how he provides for her daily. Laura is a very positive young woman. She has a dream in her heart, seeking for people who are like minded as her.
Laura touched my heart. I even explained to her how I thought she was an angel sent by God. She didn't respond with anything except in a puzzled voice of  "uh, oh."  So was I crazy minded for thinking Laura was an angel sent by God? You may think I was. I was encouraged by my friend Sharon to ask God what the lesson was in this whole story. I was encouraged to ask God what He wanted from me and then follow through.
He definitely has given me a dream and I have begun to birth God's passion for his lost people. He has put a vision in my heart for people like Laura who are homeless, unclean in two different ways, fed with a meal, but left to sleep on a hard ground and lay their head on a hard book or book bag in Laura's case.
I have read and heard how people were homeless,  but then one person offered to help with their broken hearts and are now living in homes with a family God has blessed them with. I can tell you stories of God's restoration in their lives. Some locally, some in St Augustine and some way across the oceans. With God all things are possible.
God is at work in Putnam County Florida and I believe He has a dream to bring His people together to help one another.  We are told we are a poor county with a rich heart.I  believe God is about to do a great thing in Putnam County once again with these big rich hearts.

~Be encouraged to make yourself a gratitude list and then help someone else have a reason to be grateful.
Marjorie

Her Name Was Laura

I've only seen her approximately three times walking on the bridge towards town. She was always well dressed, had a jug of water in her hands and a book bag over her shoulder.  I was always drawn to her and thought about offering her a ride, but never did until this one particular evening.
It was a Thursday night when Judy, my friend, and I were heading home. This young lady was walking over the bridge as usual. I thought to myself "She needs to get home before it gets dark." So I told Judy I was turning the car around to offer the young lady a ride. So as I stopped, Judy called out to her and she responded to our offer with "Oh yes, I need to get home before it gets dark." 
She told me where she was staying and it was on our way home. While traveling I introduced myself and Judy and in response the lady said "my name is Laura."  I told her I saw her before and prayed for her each time. I asked her where she was walking to each day and she said she was looking for a job. I then asked what she liked to do. She replied with growing fruits and vegetables, raise animals like on a farm and she would love to have a horse too. She had a canvas with her and said she enjoyed painting. In fact she enjoys house sitting and drew a woman on a house. As she was talking, I noticed her face was slender to match her slender frame, her voice was sweet like music and with an unfamiliar accent.  She was African American with very white and straight teeth, her skin was smooth and soft looking, her clothes, shoes, and book bag had no imperfections to them as well. When I asked where she was from she replied from New York but also South Carolina and other places.
When we arrived at her house it was runned down, grass was knee high and needed some care. I offered to give her a ride Friday morning, but she was adamant about leaving at 7:30am and rising at 5am to pray. Yet, I convinced her to allow me to pick her up between 8:30 and 8:45. Again she was adamant about 7:30 but agreed to allow me to take her to the library.
As she walked away, I thought how odd it was that she looked so clean for living in what looked like an abandoned home with no electricity.
The next morning, I took a her a cereal bar and was ready to offer to take her to breakfast. I arrived at the home by 8:35am and honked the horn but no response. Next I got out and walked to the door, knocked on the thin glass knowing she would have certainly heard me.  I then, followed the path I remembered seeing her tread the previous night.  The door was open and  I found a dream catcher on the door knob, a leather chair, a dirty refrigerator, a couple bags of trash, but no Laura. I  even called out to her too. I know she would have heard me.  There was a half opened shed out there too, which I did not venture out to as I was alone.  I turned and I left.
As I was leaving, my heart became heavy. Where did she go? why was I so drawn to her? I remembered she said I could take her to the library, so I was on my way.  As I traveled to the library, I heard a voice inside me that said "you won't find her." I ignored the statement. I arrived at the library, went in and walked the isles of books only to find seven patrons and three employees. Non of the patrons there were Laura. My heart was saddened. I wondered where she could be. As I got into my car, I heard a heavy sigh and the voice inside me say "I told you, you will not find her." Tears streamed down my face.
This left me in wonder and awe. I reminisced about Laura's exact words. I thought about what she said about farming and a horse. those were Rodney's exact words in a conversation we had.  Her name, I thought was Carole and Judy told me early that morning how she remembered it was Laura  because Judy's daughter in law's name is Laura.  Judy is an artist and paints as does Laura. The words I thought before picking Laura up were the same exact words I thought to myself. 
Was she an angel?  If she was, I wondered what God was showing me. It  wasn't like she gave a message like John received in the book of Revelation. She didn't reveal any special instructions.
I remembered on Wednesday telling God how I felt like I was repeating words that was being prompted in my ear. I asked Him if there was an angel over us or was it just my imagination. Then this happened the next evening.  I wonder.
I KNOW in my heart I will not see Laura again, but I do believe she sees us.

God's word tells us in Psalms 91:11 "He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go." NLT

Someone asked me "how do you know she was angel?" I dont' know that she was an angel. However there are too many things that add up unexplained and because no one can look that flawless in an empty run down, ruined, waterless, and no electricity home. One last thing too; I am usually adamant about getting up at 5am to spend an hour and a half with the Lord and getting ready for work by 7:30am. Recently I've gotten out of the routine, but after this encounter, I'll be back in it.

I have my moments of looking back and wishing I could have asked more questions and requested to see her canvas that Judy said was blank. I am like Mary who sat at Jesus' feet to listen to what He had to say while Martha was in the kitchen. I view myself as the two men who were walking on the road to Damascus and Jesus began talking with them. These two men realized they were talking with Jesus after he had departed from them. My heart is sad yet joyful for knowing He thought about me and Judy greatly to show Himself in a very unique way.


Be encouraged....God sees you and me! He shows up in the most God like ways.
Marjorie

Silver Hair is a Crown of Glory

I don't usually enjoy going to the grocery store, but this particular Saturday morning was different. It started out normal with the coupons and comparing prices that lead to nothing unusual or abnormal. There is at least one familiar face I see when I'm out shopping. Today, it was a couple different faces I noticed.
Down this one isle was an elderly couple and each one had his and her own cart. They were comparing grocery list and deciding where they were going to go next. The couple was so involved in their task that they didn't notice the line of patient shoppers behind them. I stood there and wondered what these two were like in their prime years. They both were short and fragile looking as some elders do. I wondered if he was taller and masculine built or was he always short?  I wondered if she too was a bit taller and the head of her classmates. I had to giggle inside a couple of times for the way they were communicating to each other. If they were not married, they sure acted like it. They were...well adorable. 
As the woman and man finished marking their sheets of paper the man said to the woman "Now where are you going again?" The woman exclaimed "To the ice cream, remember?!"  The older gentleman replied "oh, yes, that's right."  I smiled as the woman turned her cart and made her eyes wide open and said "sheesh."
Then I went to the next isle and all I could hear in a male's voice was "George!"  "George!" "Hey George!". I looked up to see a young man in his 40's (I guess) walk up the 80 year old man (again a guess) and said "George, didn't you hear me calling you?"  The two men began engaging in a conversation. 
I sometimes enjoy watching people or asking them about their prime time. Most of them will have a lot of memories to share and then there are others who only have one or two.
I am intrigued with the older generation because they have a lot of wisdom and that's what I want. There seems to always be a lesson in their stories. If you ever have the opportunity to ask an elder about their glory days, I encourage you to take it. They just may say something to you that might help you or someone else one day.
There is much to be said about white or silver hair. I think it is best summed up this way:
Proverbs 16:31
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.

So the next time you are around an elderly person, don't take them for granted, ask them about a piece of their history. You just might be amazed at what they share.

~ Be encouraged by someone older today