Singing and music have never been a strength of mine. If I ever sing in the shower, I make sure no one is around. If I sing while driving down the road, I make sure the music is so loud I can't even hear myself. Singing at church is done in a muffled tone, so not to scare the congregation off before they get to hear the preacher. Needless to say, I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Some of my family are blessed with the gift of a beautiful voice. However, this gift was not one God chose for me. Occasionally I get the privilege of standing beside or in front of a lady who has a voice as beautiful as an angel. I'm always secretly hoping the people in front of me think it's me who has that magnificent voice. Well....... my wish finally came true. I was singing at our ladies bible study during the opening hymn, and there was a lady behind me with a voice to die for. Her ability to sing far out done any dream I ever had for singing. I belted out my pitiful tone, just because I knew she would drown me out. The song ended. I felt great. I got to sing loud and proud, because I knew my singing was covered up by her sweet voice. We dismissed in prayer and headed for our classes. After class we returned to the sanctuary for a lecture. A lady who had stood in front of me during the opening hymn spotted me, and smiled. She said 'You sang beautiful while ago'. I smiled and nodded. What do I say? Do I let her think it is me? Do I set her straight? I spoke up with a smile (almost a laugh), 'That wasn't me.' She quietly sat down in front of me, and we opened our hymns to sing another song. I am certain after that song she knew it wasn't me. The woman who was behind me earlier had sat somewhere else.
Listening to the Holy Spirit can sometimes be a challenge. Sometimes I listen to the Holy Spirit in the shower, when no one is around. Sometimes the Holy Spirit talks while I'm driving down the road but the music is so loud I can't hear him. Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me at church, but I'm afraid speak up more than a muffled 'amen', so the congregation won't wonder what's wrong with me. The gift of the Holy Spirit is freely given to all who acknowledge and accept, even me. Occasionally I get the privilege of standing beside, or in front of, someone who always seems filled with the Spirit. Someone whose face always seems to glow because they have been in the presence of God. Sometimes, I secretly hope the people around me think I'm filled with the Spirit too. It's contagious. The Spirit makes others want to be filled with the Spirit. Well.........my wish can come true. The Holy Spirit's ability to direct, and help me, far out does any dream I've ever had. I can belt out my pitiful attempts at life and know the Holy Spirit can multiply my efforts, if I back up and give Him space. Our life can be filled with great joy and enthusiasm, by allowing the Holy Spirit's indwelling power to lead. We cross paths with different people every day. Perhaps someone will look at us and say, 'you helped me when I needed it', or 'you prayed for me', or 'you encouraged me when I was sad', or 'you did a great job'. And when someone gives us a compliment, do we just smile and nod. What do we say? Do we let them think it's us? Do we set them straight? I sat by a lady at supper a few nights ago. I was giving her compliments for a job well done on something she is in charge of. She took her index finger and pointed up. She said 'It wasn't me, It was all Him'. She knew to give credit where credit was due. She knew it was God working thru her. Do we point up, speak up, and say 'That wasn't me, it was all God'. And when life proceeds on to another chapter, will the people you've crossed paths understand it wasn't you? Will they understand it was the Holy Spirit in you, directing you, and know it was all God.
A quilt from a quilt show in Little Rock, AR
Listening to the Holy Spirit can sometimes be a challenge. Sometimes I listen to the Holy Spirit in the shower, when no one is around. Sometimes the Holy Spirit talks while I'm driving down the road but the music is so loud I can't hear him. Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me at church, but I'm afraid speak up more than a muffled 'amen', so the congregation won't wonder what's wrong with me. The gift of the Holy Spirit is freely given to all who acknowledge and accept, even me. Occasionally I get the privilege of standing beside, or in front of, someone who always seems filled with the Spirit. Someone whose face always seems to glow because they have been in the presence of God. Sometimes, I secretly hope the people around me think I'm filled with the Spirit too. It's contagious. The Spirit makes others want to be filled with the Spirit. Well.........my wish can come true. The Holy Spirit's ability to direct, and help me, far out does any dream I've ever had. I can belt out my pitiful attempts at life and know the Holy Spirit can multiply my efforts, if I back up and give Him space. Our life can be filled with great joy and enthusiasm, by allowing the Holy Spirit's indwelling power to lead. We cross paths with different people every day. Perhaps someone will look at us and say, 'you helped me when I needed it', or 'you prayed for me', or 'you encouraged me when I was sad', or 'you did a great job'. And when someone gives us a compliment, do we just smile and nod. What do we say? Do we let them think it's us? Do we set them straight? I sat by a lady at supper a few nights ago. I was giving her compliments for a job well done on something she is in charge of. She took her index finger and pointed up. She said 'It wasn't me, It was all Him'. She knew to give credit where credit was due. She knew it was God working thru her. Do we point up, speak up, and say 'That wasn't me, it was all God'. And when life proceeds on to another chapter, will the people you've crossed paths understand it wasn't you? Will they understand it was the Holy Spirit in you, directing you, and know it was all God.
A quilt from a quilt show in Little Rock, AR
