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None Would Toss Jesus in the Trash

Jesus flyers left on both tables at our post office

“And he said with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.‘” Revelation 14:7

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Walking into our local post office early one morning, I was caught off guard by the tables before me. Rarely is there even one lone magazine or paper lying on these tables. After carefully sorting their mail, most people toss the unwanted mail and flyers into designated blue trash bins.

But not today! Not everyone wanted the bulk-mail flyer from a local church, yet very few of them seemed to make it to the trash bin. I stood with tears flowing down my cheeks (seriously)! It made my day! I showed my photo to the postal clerk, and we both rejoiced.

“Jesus, make Yourself known while your name rests on this table.” My heart leaped with joy as I thought of all the hungry hearts coming in and out that day. Each one had to pass that table. Each one would “see” Jesus.

And then I paused and considered my life. I wonder, when people pass by me, do they see Jesus? Really? Do I always make an effort to smile or nod? Shake a hand? Open a door? I wonder.

As I left that day, I asked God to help me be a bolder witness for Him. I asked forgiveness for taking Him for granted so often in my daily life.

Today, I pray for you. ^“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Thank you for leaving a note, and THANK YOU for praying for me.

Hugs, Susie

Help! I Need a Friend!

Won’t You be My Friend?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7

Yesterday, I met with an author friend for a brief chat over coffee at 9:30 AM. (We had talked about meeting for months.) I knew she needed encouragement. What I failed to realize is how great my personal need was as well.

We chatted and prayed and cried and laughed. We prayed and cried and … you get the picture! Like the tiny kitty, we were helpless on our own; we needed a shoulder to cry on.

Two little girls across the room kept watching us and smiling back. With their Mom’s permission, I gave each of them a Little Bible to put in their pockets. And my friend and I continued to pray and cry and …

Soon, the mother came to our table to introduce herself and tell us she had just started selling Tupperware. As we exchanged information, she signed up for my newsletter and thanked me again for the girls’ Bibles. And I’m thinking, “I don’t need any Tupperware, however…”

As my friend and I prepared to leave, we made a date for next week—same time, same place. We vowed to pray for one another as we work toward our goals. For the record, our “brief chat” ended at 1:30 PM! (I accomplished more at home the next three hours than I would have done all day without the four-hour meeting!)

Do you have a friend like that? Someone you can confide in? A safe place to share your deepest fears and shortcomings? Someone who will lift you up in prayer? I challenge you to take time (MAKE time) for meaningful relationships.

The ultimate BFF is Jesus. He never leaves us. Do you know Him, really know Him?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hugs,

Susie

A Tribute to Mother

Katie Geneva Phillips Kinslow – My Mother and BFF

Mother celebrated her last birthday with us twenty years ago by staring at the huge stack of beautiful birthday cards on her table. I wondered if she recognized any of the names. Did she realize it was her 90^th birthday? I took comfort in watching her smile as she carefully handled the cards, hoping that each brought blessing and pleasure to her for the moment.

Soon, all too soon, she would again be taken to the ICU and from there to a skilled nursing facility. Having the positive assurance of Heaven made our expected parting so much easier. This reassurance was repeated several times before she went home. “Mommy, I’ll keep you forever if you want me to; but, I’ll let you go be with Jesus when you are ready.”

Holding her hands in the ICU, I sang old familiar hymns to her. It had been months since she could communicate verbally; however, a few stanzas of “Rock of Ages” would spur her to “hum” along with me. Her hums and my singing left much to be desired to the outside world, but I knew in my heart that our Father in Heaven was honored and my precious mother was comforted. Amazingly, we who never sang in public could not have cared less who heard our duet.

Days later, in the skilled care nursing home, I caressed her tiny, cold hand and recalled all the work those hands had done in ninety years; good work and honorable. I thought of all the care she had given to others; of how much those who didn’t get to know her have missed. I wanted her to go to the home prepared for her in Heaven, but the miss was huge already.

At 6:40, God answered my prayer, and Mother peacefully went to sleep. No more pain. I was blessed to be holding her hand and singing to her: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” Thank you, Jesus.

My prayer for you today is that those in your care are ready to go to their final home and that they know Jesus personally. I pray that you have that assurance for yourself. What joy to know where Mother is; I look forward to seeing her again someday.

Today’s article is from pages in my book, MY MOTHER MY CHILD: available through Amazon.com, me, or Shady Oak Marketplace in Buffalo, MO.

Please drop me a note. How can I pray for you? Are you assured of Heaven? Be sure.

Hugs,

Susie