I recently reached into the pocket of a coat I hadn’t worn since mid-December and discovered a surprise – a gift I had forgotten. The object was Mary, a piece from a nativity set.
At the dinner I was attending when last wearing that coat, one of the hosts handed out pieces of the nativity to folks, telling them why the particular piece reminded them of a character in the story of Jesus’ birth. When handed mine, I was also holding a toddler. The remark was “You all know why Cathie was given Mary”. So sweet, I thought, of this person to acknowledge the joy it brings my heart to ‘mother’ children!
Later, my husband asked, “Which piece were you given? I didn’t hear what was said.” So I asked the gift giver, and the response was something like “Because you, like Mary, are obedient to God’s call on your life. Even when the timing or what is being asked is not what you had planned, you yield to God’s will.” What the giver did not know (surprise to them now, huh?!) is the gift of those words. Nurturing little ones is without a doubt one of the things I treasure. But I needed that reminder of the importance of yielding to God’s will. I believe that God honors sacrifice, and that I was blessed with that moment in that evening.
Writing to you now for the first time as your Connections Pastor, I hope we all find more moments to give God through sacrifice of time or talent and yielding to His call. We all have something to give, so let’s work together to be and share the good news of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives. (And celebrate in His surprises!)