Aware of His Goodness

This afternoon customers arrived at our farm to pick up the chickens we butchered for them this morning.  One couple that came today, started coming out a few years ago.  We see them twice a year - once for chicken pick up and once for turkey pick up.  We always look forward to our visits with them.  But today was even more enjoyable for me! 

When they arrived, there weren't any other customers waiting, so there was no reason to rush.  We had a great time with them laughing and visiting as we bagged, weighed and loaded up all their chicken. (They had over 40 of them!)  As our time together was drawing to a close, a thought popped into my mind, "Ask them if they know where they will spend eternity."   I glanced at the tracts sitting on our counter, ignoring the prompting.  We talked a little more.  The thought came again, "Ask them if they know where they will spend eternity."   More thoughts came.... "They won't be interested in the things of God....but what if they were?  What if they have been talking about Him?  What if the Lord has been wooing them?  What if he wants me to be an encouragement by confirming what He is doing in their life?"  Suddenly we were thanking them for their business and saying goodbye.  Out the door they went.  "No!," I reasoned, "I have to ask them!"  So I grabbed a tract and rushed out the door. 
When I got to their car, the wife was standing facing me.  I said, "Do you know where you will spend eternity?", as I handed her the tract.  Then her husband looked at me and said very sincerely, "You are my sister, aren't you?"  And he gave me a big hug.  Then he went on to tell me that just this summer, someone witnessed to him at the State Fair, and he got saved.  He is now going to a good church and taking an evangelist course.  My eyes filled with tears.  When he got saved, his wife was in another country, visiting relatives.  He said he has been sharing with her and trying to help her understand what happened to him.  On the way out to our farm he was telling her that we were a Christian family and that we knew the Lord too.  Growing up Catholic, they had learned religion, but had never found the Savior.  I asked her to read the tract and told her that I would be praying for her.

I was blessed beyond measure by this incident in my day.  Our God is such an awesome God!  He is alive and working in the hearts of men!  He uses different events and people to help us to understand His love for us.  He wants this woman to know just how much He loves her!  And He will orchestrate all kinds of situations to show His mercy and grace to her because it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. 
Praising Him! :)

Baby Steps

This morning, after praying for a friend, I was thinking about those days when we wake up feeling like we have a mountain to climb.  Those are the days we need determination!  It reminds me of the hilarious movie, "What About Bob?".  We need to take baby steps down the hall, baby steps to get on the bus, and baby steps until four o'clock. :)    The point is, each step brings progress, and with each step in the right direction, we will find satisfaction.  We cannot focus on the mountain, or we will become overwhelmed and full of fear and worry.  Today we just need to take that one step knowing that joy will follow.

I looked up determination (in Achieving True Success) and found that it is the opposite of faintheartedness.  It is the purpose to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition.  Let's face it, we will have opposition in this life!  But today let's just take that one baby step in the right direction.  After many days of baby steps, we will look back and see the mountain behind us.  It will bring God glory, and fill us with courage.  Remember, the harder the fight, the more determination, and the sweeter the victory!  Take that baby step today and forget about the mountain! :)