God Intervenes

READY… “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."  ~ Marcus Aurelius

AIM… Today, we remember 9/11.  You know where you were.  You remember exactly what you were doing.  It was a chilling event that rocked our world to the core.  However, what started out as a regular day for most of us, turned into a nightmare for others. We have listened to the life-altering stories from survivors who didn’t make it to work that day at the World Trade Center Towers because life’s ordinary delays or even a few strange hold-ups prevented them from being caught in the midst of American’s most tragic event.  I’m talking about things like several folks getting stopped in unusual traffic jams, or how one fella spilled coffee on his shirt and had to take extra time to change his clothes, and even one gal who dropped her shoe in the toilet of all things.  The stories go on and on about the reasons various people did not arrive to work on time, forever changing their very fate.

We can grumble when God intervenes in our lives, or we can rejoice in the detours and delays.  We have no idea what’s at the other end of our journey, but God knows.  My mother sent me this amazing dialogue she received from a friend recently.  Perhaps it will give you a different perspective and some patience when God intervenes in your life next time.

 
Just Askin'
Me: God, can I ask you a question?
God: Sure.
Me: Promise you won't get mad?
God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Huummm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!!Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.
Me: (humbled): Oh...
God: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed) Hmmm…
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok...
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call. I didn't even let you talk to her so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see, God.
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm sorry, God.
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good and the bad.
Me: I will trust you.
God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Me: I won't, God. And let me just tell you, God, thank you for everything today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I love looking after my children.

FIRE!   Richard Bach said, "Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't."  If you are reading this, congratulations!  You are alive!  God isn’t finished with you yet, so set forth today giving thanks for the opportunity to move mountains, serve others and make a difference in your world.  And if you find yourself in the middle of an interesting twist of events, be grateful God is intervening.

Be Excellent!

Lori

The Dark Knight Rises

READY… “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” John 10:10 NIV

AIM… I was mortified when I heard the news about the massacre in Colorado over the weekend.  Innocent people who were excited to see the new Batman movie were met with a twist in the plot of their own fates.  Sadly, Satan, the real dark knight, arose in the form of a shooter and lives were lost, bodies were injured and souls were emotionally shaken all over the world.  Yes, friends, Satan is constantly on the prowl looking for ways to ruin our lives; to prevent us from following God’s path of success and love. We all have free will to choose our lot in life, however, look at the ways we are constantly diverted, misdirected and just plain halted from successful progress.  It’s not karma; it’s the dark forces working against us.  Scary, but true.

As we recover from the shock of such a devastating event, we must remember this scripture from Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” That’s a lot to digest so soon after such a tragic event, but there will be justice served on earth and eternity.  Perhaps this incident will spark a movement to provide better security measures in public locations.  In the meantime, we must not live in fear and trust that our Maker is the one who is ultimately in control as our shield and safe haven.

FIRE!   Take a moment this week to pray for the victims and their families of the Colorado shooting.  Never underestimate the power of prayer, whether it be individual or as a collective group.  It is one of our strongest weapons and most powerful means to affect the world around us in a positive way.

Be Excellent!
Lori