Close to Home

"How are you reaching out and ministering to the neighbors God has placed around you? It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But it's absolutely vital to grasp that He didn't call you there so you could settle in and live out your life in comfort and superficial peace. His purposes are not random or arbitrary. 

* If you are still alive on this planet it's because He has something for you to do. *

He placed us on this earth for purposes that He orchestrated long before we were born (Eph. 2:8-10). Do you believe you exist not for your own pleasure but to help people know the love of Jesus and to fully alive in Him? If so, then that will shape how you live your life in the place where you are." 

-Francis Chan

Forgotten God

Day by day, moment by moment, I have a place where I FIT into His will. Where I am is where He wants me to serve. How would I be missed if I left this place? What difference is my presence making for Christ? 

These are probing questions for me. Especially because I am actually planning to leave soon. But up til that point, I am called to live to the fullest HERE. And it's not about "buckling down" and "trying harder" but refocusing my heart to listen as His Spirit probes me. 

My to-do list for the day can and should be guided by His grace and whisperings. I am not the leader here. The Spirit is my guide. And He guides me in the steps of the good that I have been ordained to do!! 

I sure love this sweet partnership :-) 

* F A D E *

I wrote this several weeks ago as God was first laying it on my heart. And it's still something I am learning.... It's not about me.

Some days I serve with earnest passion
My soul stands firm in its conviction
I have no doubts
I trust in you
And proclaim it to the world

But in those times when I'm forgotten
All those little victories
That seems no one is watchin'
Bring to mind
That you are God
Without You there wouldn't be a me

I will gladly step out of the spotlight
And I will gladly.... F A D E

When I fade the most
Is when you shine the brightest
So what do I have to brag?
What do I have to boast
when I clamor with a million others
all fighting for the spotlight?
It's all vain
My flesh will fail me
Someone will always come along and do it better

You are the one who never fails
Instead I'll give you center stage
And I will gladly.... F A D E

What do I have to offer?
Lord, what can these hands bring?
Here, you take the center stage
And I will gladly.... F A D E

"He must increase, I must decrease."  - John the Baptist

Mushy Oatmeal Revelations

In the dark quiet of the morning, with my quick, oh-so-healthy ;-) oatmeal breakfast before work, I read these words from Charles Spurgeon: 

"We do not ask to be entranced or to see an angel in shining apparel, but we do ask that by faith we may see Jesus. May His presence be so evidently realized among us that we may rejoice as well as if our eyes beheld Him. May we love, trust, and worship Him as earnestly as we would if we could now put our fingers into the print of the nails." 

How will it alter the way I live today if I keep the thought of those beloved scars at the forefront of my mind? Just because I do not see His loving smile or gingerly finger those scars does not make them any less real. 

Christians of this century are so blessed with the opportunity to be among those who have not seen, yet have believed. 

Only because of His grace. 

Not Something You Hear Every Day

At Bob Evans the other night a customer looks at me and exclaims:

"Wow, 'Janell' is the perfect waitress name! It's like, so old-school, ya know?" 

Now some people wouldn't have known quite how to take that, but let's just say that it totally made my name go up a couple notches in my liking. 

I just looked back at him with a grin. "Yeah. I guess I've found my calling." 

Oh, I do love waitressing :-)

Pondering This Thought....

Pride is ugly on anyone, no matter how beautiful they are.

Two Essentials

The key to being a great parent is to nurture both the inner child and the inner man at the same time.

(I think that goes for teachers too!) 

P.S. I am so grateful for a mom who lived by this philosophy and let us "be kids" even while she was teaching us how to grow up. I am forever grateful to her. I hope I can do that with the little ones God brings into my life....

My Life in Capital Letters....

people around me HURT

and i hurt FOR them

i am SMALL and powerless to stop it

But i know an infinitely POWERFUL and LOVING God

and i am grateful that HE is the Healer

of BODIES and SOULS alike. 

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved." 

(More posts in the days ahead. I know I haven't been on much, but I've missed writing, as well as reading what friends have written. For now, I really should be going to bed - or trying anyway!)