Perturbed, then Blessed

All week long I looked forward to Saturday night.  Date Night!  It had been a while since we had been on a date so we were both excited about getting together sans little people.  It almost didn't matter that we were planning to attend a couple's wedding shower.  Who really cares?  We were together, not at McDonald's, and not constantly interrupted with pleas for help, assistance, and tattle tale woes.

Our 15 year old niece arrived on time to sit with the kids.  She is amazing at being able to handle the 4 kids.  She plays all the pretend games and not-so-fun board games that I never get around to.  She entertains them with art projects and Twister.  She puts them to bed on time, prays them to sleep, and does the dishes.  She is a rare find!

Because my niece lives 20 minutes away, my younger sister and I typically meet half way after she babysits.  Unfortunately, that was not the case on Saturday night.  My sister's plans did not involve leaving her own birthday party for me to hand off her daughter.  I know, I know.  It was sort of selfish for me to even ask but Melissa is a long way at 11:00 p.m.!

To be honest, I was perturbed at the whole situation.  I was doing my niece a favor by paying her extra to be saved for an upcoming mission trip.  Forget that she was doing me a favor by making a home cooked meal and starting the laundry.  This frustrating situation was all about me.  And my date night.  And who wants to drive around in the rainy cold an hour before midnight?

Wah!

So, I stomp (a little) to the car with my niece and her friend in tow.  I throw a silent tantrum and don't say much for the first 5 minutes of the drive.  The girls are chatting back and forth about their church activities and all the things they are involved in.  They tell me all the things they are learning about Jesus' expectations for their lives.  About His desire for each of them.  About their new and growing relationships with Him.

The Holy Spirit slapped me on the forehead (once again).  THIS is why I am driving them home.  THIS is why my sister couldn't leave the adult establishment to meet me.  THIS is why these sweet, impressionable, hungry girls are in my car.

Driving slowly, I got to spend the next 20 minutes talking with them about what living a life for Christ means.  How their behavior and attitudes are testimonies for the love Jesus has for each of us.  The Holy Spirit took over my mouth and really poured into them.  We discussed how people will see a new creation in them through their choices and decisions.  And even their non-church going parents will see Jesus through them.  They are Him in the flesh!

These chatty teenagers were speechless.  My niece was so surprised.  She never knew what an impact she could be by living righteously through and in Him. 

She said, "I feel powerful!".

"Girl!  You are powerful!  We all are when we live through His power and not our own.  Now use your powers for good!", I told her.

I almost missed this.  I was so wrapped up in my own frustration of my plan interrupted.  I was perturbed and frankly, a little angry at my younger sister for not going along with what I had in mind.

Fortunately, God had other plans.  He had a plan for those girls to be reassured and encouraged.  He had a plan for me to get out of the way, to stop reacting, and to be available.  He had a plan for love to be expressed.

I was so blessed to be forced to be available.  I am praying that next time I will recognize His opportunities sooner rather than later.  I am asking God to help me see how and when and who.

Has something like this happened to you?  Have you ever had a plan only to have it derailed because God wanted you available for something, someone else?  Share it with us!  We want to hear how God is working in and through you.

Have an "available" day!
Niki

Love Actually

February!  It's the month of love.  Spring flowers began to peek up through the ground. Diamond dynasties and card companies create in our heads visions of ginormous rocks on a band, heart-shaped chocolates, and sappy but heart-felt sentiments from our loved ones.  Our expectations of a over-the-top romantic Valentine's Day increase with each passing day.

As a teenager, Valentine's Day was the best day all year.  Boys could buy their sweethearts a single rose and have it secretly delivered during the middle of Algebra II or Chemistry.  All the girls would gush excitedly while secretly hoping their own beau would have their flower delivered during the next period.  Please, oh please!

As I've gotten older, I tell my husband not to spend money on flowers and candy.  I don't even need a card.  Just let me sleep late.  For a week.  Serve our kids breakfast so I can linger in the shower.  Alone and without an audience.  Acts of service make my heart melt.  If he does the dishes on a whim, my knees turn to jelly and I hear imaginary love birds chirping in my ear.

This February, sweet Paige Mercer challenged her Facebook friends to 14 Days of Valentines.  It's a two week commitment to pray specifically for your husband.  It's an encouragement to leave him small notes or gifts on a daily basis to completely fill up his love tank.  I am completely charged by the challenge.  In fact, since Weekend to Remember last year I have been praying very specifically for my husband.  Below, are a few ways I am praying for him.

• He acknowledges Jesus as the leader of his life by following and obeying Him, and relying on the Holy Spirit all day, every day (1Cor 16:13-14).
• He take responsibility as the leader of his family, courageously leading me and our children (Eph 5:23).
• He be a man of prayer, continuously in communication with the Lord so that he'll live and walk by His Spirit (1 Thess 5:17, Gal 5:25).
• He have friendships with godly men that would "stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).
• He be shielded by God in mind, heart, and body, and be guarded from the evil one (Psalm 28:7, 2 Thess 3:3).

Sometimes, it's really hard to pray for my husband rather than about him (read here - complain about him).  So, I become selfish and find one or two things to thank the Lord for regarding the man He gave me and call it "Done".  Oh but don't worry.  Those are the days the Holy Spirit wakes me at 3:00 a.m. with a  conviction to pray for him.

And pray, I do.  And will continue to do.  And I even ask the Lord to prompt my sweet hubby to do a few more dishes and a little more laundry. 

Have a happy month of LOVE.

Niki