REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

In 2005, when I was rebuilding my relationship with God, my dog, Lady, who I had recently rescued, stayed very close to me. She was always following me from room to room around the house. She rarely left my side. The Holy Spirit reminded me that that’s how He is. He is always my companion but even closer than any human or pet friend can be.

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”  

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear…”

~ Hebrews 13:5-6

Pets are sometimes our best friends. And for some their only companion. Our furry friends are a gift from God to be sure. But we need to remember that we have a friend that is even closer and better. Someone who is there for us at all times. Not just for our lifetime. But Forever. He’s only a conversation away, only a thought away, only a prayer away.

Are you feeling lonely? Do you sense God is far away?

I hope you will take a few minutes and watch or listen to Misty Edwards beautiful song below. It’s one of my new favs!

Image Credit: 4max / 123RF Stock Photo

On Mother’s Day weekend in May, I was blessed with the unexpected opportunity and honor to work behind the scenes in a large florist business. If you’re like me you are unaware of the incredible amount of hard work that goes into preparing and designing professional floral arrangements. The Mother’s Day holiday is upstaged by only one other holiday, Valentine’s Day. So needless to say, it was a hectic day for the florist shop and warehouse where I was working. 

During the six hour shift I worked, there were at least 16 people feverishly working to send love out the door in the form of flower arrangements. There were floor cleaners, box preppers, vase preppers, flower preppers, floral designers, office staff, delivery drivers, and of course, the owner, Sue, over seeing every step of the process. 

When I arrived I was quickly assigned to vase washing. It wasn’t long before I was reminded of another monk who is famous for washing dishes… Brother Lawrence. Once I thought of him, the rest of my day was an incredibly contemplative experience. 

When ordering professional flowers we usually think how we are sending our love to a friend or family member. I never imagined the amount of physical labor that goes into the florist business. Back breaking, sweaty hard work is attached to every professional flower arrangement especially those prepared for a major holiday. 

This experience will stay with me for the rest of my Life. I am grateful to God for providing this opportunity for me. I hope it won’t be the last time. 

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”

~Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

 

Image Credit: iakovenko / 123RF Stock Photo