Bearer of blessings

I have a story, shared by a beautiful family of being "ready" I would like to share.    This family had gone out to eat at a nice little family restaurant in a new town, where there was a piano that the mother saw and heard customers go play.  After they finished their meal and went to pay, she asked if her son could play.  The lady at the counter said, "Why yes!" While behind her, another woman, apparently the manager or owner, said, "No, absolutley not!"  Confused by the change in reception to customers playing the piano, the lady at the counter repeated, "yes, he can play the piano, we let our customers play it."  Again, the woman behind the counter said adamantly, "no, he may not play the piano."  

The mother, confused, a little flustered, and not wanting to cause a scene, said, "I'm sorry, it's not a big deal, we'll go on."

After leaving the restaurant, and going on to an evening worship service, a strong feeling of injustice came over her.  What if....why would they have been treated like that?  What feelings of inferiority would her son now experience?  She felt sick to her stomach as these thoughts and feelings came over her, despite her attempt to stay focused in worship.  Finally, she stopped and prayed, and felt the Lord telling her she must go back to the restaurant and bless the lady.  

After the service was over, the family picked up a greeting card and  a gift card and wrote a message of love and blessing in the card.  Her son made sure to write "God loves you!" boldly, and they returned to the restaurant to deliver it.  Although they were not able to place the card directly in the woman's hand, the moment it left  my friend's she felt a release and a joy come over her: restoration.  She had countered the enemy's attack, and stepped in to release a stronghold that was on that woman, and not allow it to be planted in her family.

This in itself is an amazing story of grace, and being obedient.  Maybe you can relate with that feeling of God's presence and "well done" in a moment of obedience.  But her story continued, as life unfolded.  Her son was a well-practiced piano player, on the keyboard they had at home, as it was all they could afford.  She had always encouraged him and spoke well of his playing.  One day a couple from a neighboring church came over for a dinner party.  While my friend was talking to them, they commented on their appreciation for music, and she mentioned her son's gift of playing the piano- and gestured towards the keyboard.  She beckoned for her son to come play. As his fingers danced over the keys, a presence filled the room.  The husband looked at the wife, and both of their eyes lit up.  "We were told by God to give our piano away, you must be the one we're to give it to, do you have a piano?"  "Oh no, just that keyboard."  "Well then we will have it delivered as soon as you are ready!"  

My friend was immediately reminded of her faithful response to God's beckoning her to bless the lady at the restaurant, a "well done good and faithful servant" moment.  Her jaw dropped and her eyes popped as she turned to her bright eyed and smiling husband and son, "Wow!  Thank you, thank you thank you!  We praise God for this!" (And yes, this woman really is gracious in recognizing God!)

The couple was delighted to deliver the piano, though it was a mystery to them that God had asked them to give up a piano they liked very much and used regularly.  They were only walking in faith, and not exactly prepared to go and buy a replacement.  The next day after delivering the piano, this couple got a an unexpected phone call, "we would like to gift you our piano, as we will be buying a new one, could you use this piano?"  Amazed, the couple accepted the piano, praised God, and called my friend to share the rest of the amazing story.  

My friend tells how this experience impacted her whole family, to be faithful, always ready to forgive and bless others, even... for we are always on a mission.  It might not always make sense, but blessing does not mean "earning", and when we act in the way that God does- with grace and mercy His response is abundant.  The "well done" comes to us more than we could have expected.   As my friend's son now prepares for worship service on the gifted piano the family is reminded of God's faithfulness, and their mission.   To be hurt, is to recognize that someone else is hurting, and an opportunity to show them the love of Christ.  

I share this story, because it encouraged me so much. Though they didn't get to see the impact of their expression of grace to the lady at the restaurant, they did receive confirmation and blessing by God.  They could have held on to bitterness. The card was already a huge gesture, and to include a gift card, going beyond for someone who had hurt them, with the intent to show her God's love and encourage her, was an act of obedience and faith in God's provision.

We must be ready as well.  There are people all around us that need to hear of God's love.  There are people within our home and families that need to be reassured of our love, and confirmed of His love through us.  

When we act in love, and choose to be un-offended, we are responding  in obedience, and God is delighted to bless us.

Be ready to share your testimony

Ephesians 5:8-20, and 21, "we submit to one another out of reverence to Christ." This is not because of what someone else deserves, but because we receive from Him grace and mercy we don't deserve.

Revelation 12:11 We have the authority of Christ through our salvation, to overcome the accuser, by the word of our testimony.  We must be ready to speak it, live it, share it: unafraid.

Through our testimony we overcome Satan, receive and give encouragement, and are empowered to continue to do Kingdom work.

 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."  1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make known what HE has done among the peoples."

May His praise be on our lips today