Midweek Encouragement - "Feet First”

"Feet First”

       “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
     neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
     and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV



         This coming Sunday, my church family and I will be starting a 43-day spiritual adventure. We’ll be looking for daily experiences with God, ways we can come to know Him in new and deeper ways, and we’ll be joining Him in the good He’s doing. One of the things I’ll be challenging us all to do is to be on the lookout for God-sightings . . . those unexpected ways where we see God’s hidden hand at work. Let me give you an example of a recent God-sighting.

         Two months ago, for reasons known only to Vince (and God), he was let go from his job. Immediately, he and his wife asked the church family at Mt. Laurel to pray for a new job, preferably one that would offer a flexible work schedule or a second or third shift so Vince could continue to take his wife to and from her Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dialysis sessions. Vince even attended a forklift class so he could become certified to drive a forklift, just in case a job requiring that skill became available to him. We all prayed, believing that God already had a job for Vince. We just didn’t know where.

         Our church also operates a Community Clothing Closet, a free source of new and gently used clothing and shoes available to anyone with a need. The Clothing Closet always receives much more clothing than it does shoes through the collection bin in our parking lot. About two weeks ago, someone from the local community donated a brand new pair of black, steel-toed shoes to the Community Clothing Closet. I can almost hear the Clothing Closet volunteers saying, “What in the world are we going to do with these size 10 steel-toe work boots? No one will EVER want these!”

         Approximately two weeks ago, Vince applied for a job at a bakery in Marysville, Pennsylvania and was soon asked to interview for the job there. Our church family fervently prayed as Vince and his wife kept us updated about this potential new job.

         This past Sunday, Vince told us that he had, indeed, been given the job at the bakery and would be starting on Monday, February 13. It’s also be a job that will let him work 2^nd shift so he can keep taking his wife to her dialysis appointments.

         Here’s the thing though . . . Vince’s new job came with one requirement--steel-toed work boots costing $300 a pair. Now wouldn’t you know that those brand new, steel-toe work boots, donated to our Community Clothing Closet two weeks ago . . . about the same time Vince applied for the job at the bakery . . . are his size! Talk about a God-sighting! Is God good or what?

         Here’s my question for you, my friend! For what have you been praying lately? Have you fully placed that need in God’s hands, trusting Him to meet that need? As Vince discovered, sometimes God begins to answer our prayers feet first! So don’t stop asking Him! Our thoughts are not His thoughts. God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. He already knows what you need and is working to meet your need. So keep praying! Keep trusting that our God’s got this . . . even if He moves feet first!

Pastor Dale

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this email with anyone you choose. And if for some reason you'd like to stop receiving PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send me an email (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.