Ready. Start Walking.

06.14.19.  Remember the five-minute stillness challenge? Have you done it, yet? I did it, again, today. Actually, I think it went longer than five minutes, because my quick peek revealed the alarm on my phone didn't set. 

During the 5 minutes-plus, I reminded myself of His goodness and that everything He does is good. How could He be anything other than what He is? 

As I quietly honored the Lord, words like feathers softly landed in my soul. 

Milk
Vessels of Honor
Desire for us
Aim is perfect

Some have scripture addresses.

1 Peter 2:2: "...desire the pure, spiritual milk of the Word. Cry out for this nourishment."

1 Timothy 2:21: "If you keep yourself pure, you'll be a vessel (utensil) for honorable use. Your life will be clean and ready for Him to use you for every good work."

Song of Solomon (Songs) 7:10: "I am my lover's and His desire is for me."

I need these words. I need all of the soul macro-nutrients. As they are consumed I become healthy and ready with energy to burn for any good job or "honorable use." I don't have to get ready, because I am ready! Can you imagine holding up a finger asking God to wait until you could skarf down a pb&j?

If you've been keeping up with these #100DaysOfSummers devos, you may remember this is my read-thru year with the Bible. The New Testament reveals God's desire for me, but the Old Testament opens a window into God's personality. I love this! It's like turning the corner into a hallway and bumping smack dab into His chest while He makes a goofy face feigning the breath got knocked out. A glimpse reserved for those dearest and nearest.

How about His aim? 
Perfect.

In the Day 14 devo in EMBRACED, Lysa TerKeurst recalls a divine activity He created for her to participate. God's aim is perfect because of being all-knowing, omniscient. He knew when and where the lives of everyone involved would intersect and Lysa was ready for the good work.

When our son was a teenager, we told him to start walking -doing life- and God would bring about divine intersections. It's the same for you and me.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. 

He delights in every detail of their lives. 

Psalm 37:23

Today, a friend I haven't seen in over a year came to the morning fitness class. Afterwards, we headed to The Juice Bar to catch up on life. Turns out, her son and his fiancé were, also, headed there. Over açaí bowls on a wobbly table in the sunshine, the conversation evolved and laughter eased some of the more difficult topics just as naturally as if we had grown up, together. And, then, it was over. 

Although nothing overtly spiritual was detected. God's aim is perfect. Even if it was for pure joy and healing laughter, I have to believe our little impromptu brunch was His design. One never knows what the future holds, but God does. I choose to be ready.

I invite you to look back into situations where God divinely timed a connection. Feel free to share, below. I'd love to read how He delighted in the details of your life!

Smiling at 50: People Matter More

The Coffee Marathon
Pa Bunk's route - 5.8 miles

Did your plans for this past week play out the way you intended? Mine did not go like I thought it would. It does not matter I mapped out a running and workout schedule. The plan did not get executed. I could have gotten all bent out of shape and demanded my way, but that's not the way I wanted to do things.

Instead, other events overrode my plans and took me on another journey where people matter more than the miles and points logged. Should I be so bold to call these event "divine encounters?" YES!

When I would have been pounding the pavement, concentrating on breathing and sweating it out...

• I connected with old friends doing the daily business of speaking life into their congregations.
• I met a group of pastors, pastor wives, students and church people who heard our story of Calcutta. As a result 25,000+ people in Calcutta will receive food for, at least, one day!
• I engaged in prayer with other friends who need miracles.
• I dreamed with a dear friend those big dreams that are way too big for just her or for just me and know it will take God to bring these dreams to fruition.
• I was introduced to a woman who had it in her hands to creatively be obedient to how she felt God say to bless people in Calcutta. I never would have seen this one coming!
• I considered my hubby before myself and he turned right around and supported me.

Paul wrote the Believers in Philippians, "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." But, then, he took it even farther by adding, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:3-5)

I may be able to just barely tolerate my schedule being changed and fake a smile through gritted teeth when considering others, but the Lord knows my heart. He requires me to genuinely be concerned with other's lives and considering them with His love. 

Funny thing, the Lord somehow manages to turn it all around and gave me back some time and energy to get some 10K training accomplished!


Completing Training Week 4, I increased my mileage and worked on speed. There are 60 days until the 10K!