What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” he asked.

The unexpected question, which has been my “go to” catch phrase to others for years, caught me off-guard. I was sitting down to eat with an open book and writing tablet. I needed clarity and wisdom over some parenting issues. 

When I answered “Anthony’s” (the employee at the restaurant), all too familiar question, “I’m writing a devotional book about purposefully looking to be thankful each day.” He paused, then said with incredible sincerity, “I’m proud of you.” We continued chatting about struggles and remembering to trust GOD’S plan in the waiting, (leaving room for The LORD to work.) We talked about JESUS and HIS Love that continually pours out. The words of wisdom he offered was an answer to my prayers. It helped lift the weight I’d been carrying when I walked in, (was I making the right decisions, showing enough love, doing enough, saying the right motherly things to uplift and encourage?) 

Anthony walked away to help other customers with their trays. Then when he came back he said it again, “I’m really proud of you.” It brought tears to my eyes. Just the simple words, along with GOD’S timely answer to my prayers...sending one of HIS Faithful servant’s to speak truth and life in the unlikeliest of places. 

Friends, I’m thankful for Anthony’s reminder, we all have a calling each and everyday. You never know how much a simple encounter will be the exact words someone needs to hear. Today I was the grateful recipient. But maybe tomorrow GOD will use you or I to be the Blessing someone else has been praying for. Let’s push past fear, hurt or rejection and show up, ready to go/do/say the things JESUS prompts us to...right in the middle of ordinary.

You and I are called for more!

✝️“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”~2 Timothy 4:2

Jump on the #ThankfulTrain what are you thankful for?

Keep Praying...GOD is Moving!

You know that thing you've been praying about? Keep praying...GOD is moving! It's true. It happened to me just the other night. Now before you go and think that I was praying some kind of super, bolder than most, faith as big as a mountain kind of prayer...I wasn't. My prayers were mustard seed size prayers. And here's how it went down:

You remember my story the other day about my new friend, Ben, whom Anthony and I met while he was in the hospital? He came to church last Sunday and brought his friend/neighbor, Tina, with him. Well I invited Tina to our Wednesday night Women's Bible study, because c'mon...we are stocked full of some of the most awesome, kind, loving and caring women who love JESUS. 

Well I never heard anything else from Ben or Tina during the week. So on the way to Bible Study I told my friend, Tricia, to join me in continuing to pray for them. I said, in my mustard seed size faith request, "Well, I haven't heard from my new friends, maybe GOD just wanted us to plant a seed in their hearts and HE will have someone else water it. Let's keep praying that JESUS moves in their lives and hearts wherever that may be."

So here's where it gets good! We headed into church and right in the middle of singing, I heard someone call my name. As I turned around one of the leaders had Tina with her and said she'd looking for me! Seriously GOD? You answered my small little prayers in such a big and mighty way! Oh and there just so happened to be only 4 of us sitting in a row with 5 chairs...one spot perfectly waiting, open and available for Tina to join us. 

I'm so thankful for answered prayers! I'm thankful that even small, mustard seed size prayers are answered mightily! Friends, keep persevering in prayer...you never know when that "empty chair" will be filled. 

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”~Matthew 17:20

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?