“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ ... Matthew 5:33
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Way back in August, my niece (via Facebook) asked if I'd send a postcard to her friend's daughter's class. They're collecting cards from all 50 states and other countries, if possible.
I told her, "Sure! No problem. Be happy to." Then forgot about the whole thing.
Eegads.
Eventually my brain kicked back in. Whew. シ Fortunately the project will last the entire school year.
So I went searching for postcards. Easy, right? Especially since whole droves of folks come to stare at something we've got in my town.
Well Honey, the Times, they've changed.
It's been like shopping for video tapes, plastic rain scarves, 8-tracks or live dinosaurs.
Don't laugh, but I began feeling a tad desperate. Why? Because keeping my word matters. To me and to God. If I don't do what I promise, then why would you believe anything else I say?
Finally, last night--oh my. I recalled that in the window of 'my' coffee shop, there's a tiny wooden box with vintage postcards. Yeah, about 3 feet from where I sit twice a week.
(I worry about myself sometimes. heh.)
And at this moment? A postcard is clothes-pinned out front to our mailbox, waiting to zoom its way to, well, a fiery California.
Oh dear. Tom and I have many relatives, friends, in CA and again we find ourselves asking God to keep us praying, not worrying.
These times in which we all live, right? I remind myself (often) that God has created me--and you--for such times as these. And at this point in History may each of us determine to do our God-planned part in easing others' burdens--
--and by backing-up all of our spoken-aloud promises with action. God always keeps His promises and may the same be said of His kids.
"But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him..." ...1 John 2:5
May we remain unchangeable in our faithfulness even while our world changes all around us.
Sometimes when this world feels all complicated and not-so-pretty, I like to escape and go here to listen. And let God speak new creative ideas in the calmness.
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
I think I need to break my self-imposed ban of watching, reading, worrying, about the news and see what's happening around the world. I did know their were fires a few weeks ago, but haven't seen or heard anything since then. I'm terrible, I know, but sometimes I just can't handle one more thing. I pray and TRY to turn it over to God and then don't allow myself access to news for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI have done the postcard thing for several students and Alex even took "Flat Stanley" to a whole bunch of touristy spots in Japan and took pictures for a young relative of ours. That was a big hit! I'm with you on the postcards though. One time I almost thought I was going to have to resort to making a postcard out of cardstock or something.
Have a wonderful Wednesday my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy
Wise words, as usual.
ReplyDeleteOh Debra, I just loved hearing how God helped you remember the vintage postcards at your coffee shop!!! Even when we have moments of forgetfulness, he never lets us down. Thanks for reminding folks to pray for California. I have a nephew at Biola University, near LA, and I keep watching those fire maps. My heart breaks for all those who have lost so much!
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