God's Daily Love...

God shows up in small ways that we just do not "see" all the time.  Today I was able to realize one of those moments and share that with our son.

About a year ago a new student came on to Cathan's bus named "Maria."  (Cathan believes that was not her real name but adapted an easier name for her new friends to say.  He is not sure if the first name she gave was just a nickname or her real name.  I do not want to butcher the spelling so we will go by Maria.)  So Maria moved here from Brazil only knowing one word in English, "no."  The first few days kids would ask her all kinds of questions ranging from her favorite color to her age with every answer she gave being "no."  But Maria learned English easily and quickly became a very popular young lady.

As Matt was about to embark on his work trip to Brazil he remembered Cathan talking about Maria.  Thinking Maria might enjoy a small piece of Brazil Matt had Cathan ask her what type of candy she missed most that she could not get here.  Matt returned from Brazil on Saturday with a variety box and two bags of chocolate type candies (one bag specifically the type she named) for Maria.

This morning, realizing Cathan is a 5th grade boy about to give a girl a special gift, Matt started offering ways to dispel any unwanted attention this might bring.  Cathan could tell others it was his dad's idea... Cathan could put the stuff in one bag and hand it over quickly .. etc... only God had already taken care of it.

Cathan told us he had a way that no one else would see him give her the candy, and then he shared how.  Recently when the children in Cathan's class were given new assignments, both him and Maria were assigned morning classroom set up.  While the school day begins at 8:37 am, and other children are not allowed in the hallways until 8:27 am, Cathan and Maria are currently the only two children from Cathan's class that report at 8:22 am to set up the chairs and make sure the desks are lined up for learning after they have been moved around for cleaning the night before.

OH HOW HE LOVES US!!

Oh how God loves Maria, that God put it on Matt's heart to offer her a small piece of the only country she knew the first ten years of her life.

Oh how God loves Cathan, that he did not have to stress about how he would give Maria the candy without drawing attention to himself. (and Cathan would have stressed greatly!)

Thank you God for the ways you use us to share your love Big and Small!  and Thank you God for loving our children so much that sharing this love was made easy on them.  We love the way you fit us into your everlasting puzzle.  Amen!

40 Days...

40 days for the LORD!! Jesus took 40 days to draw close to God before his ultimate sacrifice of giving Himself up for our salvation. He prepared His heart and still felt deserted during His trial. How would He have endured the cross if He had not prepared?? 

Drawing close to God helps us to have strength to endure our trials. If you have never done a fast, or have not done one in years, tomorrow begins day 1 of 40 for those who use the time before Good Friday to prepare their hearts. What is God asking for you to do in order to prepare your heart? Whether it be a fast or a commitment, use that time to draw close to your Savior. 

If you fast from something that normally costs money, I challenge you to use that same amount of money as extra giving! Can you imagine if you just give up 3 stops for coffee on your way to work (hey, you can still make it at home) and give that money, it might be as much as $12 a week. If you fast from something that normally consumes time out of your day, (computer, facebook, television) I challenge you to use that time in prayer, devotion and quiet time. 

Begin a new journey with me and make a 40 day commitment to prepare your heart for change!