Simple Provision

"You have not cause you ask not."

I missed out on dinner last weekend so went to Woolies to by something to simple eat. While I was there I spotted mangos for sale. With the season coming to a close soon I thought it a pity the prices were still high.
"God, I could I have a mango?" I asked as I walked passed with no intention on buying one at that price.
I bought my food and left.
Then last night (six days later), I was invited to run an errand with a friend who was caring for a couple's animals while they were away.   And guess what?   They have a big mango tree laden with large mangos with myriads also scattered on the ground below.   I was able to bring home not just a mango but a grocery bag full!  What a delightful answer to prayer and in abundance!  I am enjoying having mangos to share!

Taking the time to stop

My ankle and foot I injured in the surf have been getting worse. It reached a climax yesterday with my foot too sore to weight bear properly and so had to hobble on my heel and the side of my foot. Not a great start to the day!
I slowly made my way downstairs to get my breakfast, passing many people who asked what was wrong. As I reached the kitchen one student, obviously in a hurry, stopped me and asked if she could pray for me.
“Yes,” I said. “That would be great!”
She said a short but sincere prayer in Swiss-German and quickly hurried off.
“Wait!” I yelled to her across the dinning room. “You didn’t find out what God did!”
I could now put my foot completely on the ground. As I transferred my weight on it, there was no pain – the first in a week or so. I took steps and while some of the burning sensation returned it was 2/3rds better than before. Praise God! It would have been hard to go on like that.  I continue to speak God’s healing over it and see it improve! With each impartation I feel a fresh joy and hope. God is good.
While people are often busy, I’m so grateful my new young friend took the time to stop. It makes me think, how often are we too busy and miss seeing God use us to do miracles?

Hey, God...?

A friend recently told me of how he and his wife currently didn't have an entertainment budget but how they just keep seeing God provide in this area.  My immediate reaction was the silent prayer, "Hey, God...could I have that?"  Next thing, I was back to work and the phone rang.  On the phone was a music artist (that I like) offering free tickets to his concert.
"Wow...Cool God!"  - We should involve him more often.  He likes to be involved in our lives on the small stuff!

To dream...

This year God has encouraged me to dream; to dream impossible dreams…

or so it would seem – well not impossible, just what I think all too quickly is not very realistic but really, it’s more like simply not realistic without me being stretched!  I have discovered to dream with God not only brings hope but also discomfort!  It reminds me of when I was concerned about finances before going to Europe and God kept saying to me, “Don’t you think I am big enough?”  Back then he proved himself faithful.  Do I always receive all of his dream?  No, that’s just it.  I have to trust him.  I need to believe, obey and step out in faith.  Challenging hey?  It’s times like these that I feel this fairly mature Christian is just a babe…but that’s learning.  It’s one step at a time.  

I dare you…try dreaming with God with me.

Whispered secrets

I was preparing to go shopping one morning and, like other such mornings, spent time putting on make up and picking out earrings to complete the look.   

“There” …standing back from the mirror and appreciating the final touches I heard the Holy Spirit say, “If you wear those pearl earrings you will loose one.”  

It was so distinct the thought that came into my mind.  I knew it certainly was not me.  Having learnt from past experiences that this “voice” was the Lord’s, I was quick to remove the earrings and carefully selected another pair, this time choosing ones with better backs (also pearls), and continued going about my day. 

At the mall, I set about my task…of bra shopping.  It was in about the third shop that I realised an earring was missing.  Bummer.  I had a quick look around the cramped fitting room but couldn’t see it.  Perhaps it had rolled into another stall.  Had I still had it on when I entered the store?  I didn’t know.  Maybe it was caught in my clothes.  No, I couldn’t see it.  I went back and checked the other stores but couldn’t see it.  Oh, well.  I went home not so much disappointed but interested.  What had I missed?  Why had I heard the Holy Spirit warn me about loosing an earring, yet even though I had followed through, had I still lost one?  I didn’t loose earrings very often – only once ever before.  So what happened?  Then it dawned on me.  Questions.  The Holy Spirit had warned me about loosing an earring but I didn’t bother to seek more information.  After thanking him for the warning, I should have asked, “Lord, is there any pair I could wear today and not be at risk of loosing one?” 

God wants to be involved in our lives but do we give him the space to impact them?  I finished the day feeling encouraged.  Encouraged that God would speak to me about the small stuff.  Encouraged at the lesson I had learnt.  Encouraged that God was deliberately teaching me and that I was at a point where I didn’t dismiss the thought as soon as it came but recognised it as the Lord.  …Who cares about the earring! I loved the lesson more!