But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
~Matthew 19:14-15 (NLT)
So, today's reading is about Lillian Trasher. When she was little, she and her family moved to Georgia where she got to be friends with their neighbor who was a good Christian woman. Lillian hadn't believed in God before this, but after her neighbor told her about God and Jesus and how they wanted to be her friend, Lillian accepted Jesus into her heart (YAY!!!). Lillian prayed, "Lord, I want to be Your little girl. If ever I can do anything for You, let me know and I'll do it." When Lillian grew up, God called her work in a faith-owned orphanage, and later He called her to be a missionary. Both times she followed God's call regardless of the lack of monetary support. She ended up going to Egypt where she began her own orphanage where she was later dubbed "Mother of the Nile." When she died in 1961, her orphanage had cared for more than 8,000 children! None of this would have happened if Lillian's neighbor hadn't nurtured and encouraged her as a young child to love Jesus Christ.
As children show an interest in God, His church, or the Bible, bless them, support them, and encourage them. You cannot imagine the marvelous feats God will do through the dedication of even one child.
This sort of ties in with what I talked about yesterday: doing what God has called you to do. I am very thankful that God blessed me with a good Christian family. They never forced me to believe a certain way, but they always were there to answer the questions I had and they raised me by good example. I fell in love with God and Jesus at an early age, and I'll admit, as a teenager, I wasn't perfect (although I think I was pretty mild compared to a lot of teens; my problem was mostly attitude not actions, but that still doesn't make it any better). There are times when I wish I would have been more careful with my words (like not be sarcastic), however, when I look back, I know that there were certain things God intended for me to go through to make me a stronger person in Christ and realize what I was called to do to honor Him. Perfection belongs with God, and it is through our imperfections that we can learn to be closer to God by Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
When I was little, my parents recognized that I had certain God-given talents (like art) and they nurtured me and encouraged me to do what I loved to do. By second grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to teach, but by high school I settled on math, mostly because there's always a demand for math teachers. However, after a year of college, my first formal art class made me realize that I wasn't doing what I really wanted to do. I talked it over with my parents and they said that I needed to do what I was called to do and they would support me 100%... and they have just as they always have. God opened doors and put the right people in my life, and He still is. I feel like Lillian--I may not have money to dole out and say "I want this, this, and this," and get it, but I have God on my side, and HE is the one who can make my dreams come true. Money is fleeting, but God is forever. If God can make it possible for Lillian to start her own orphanage in Egypt, He can make it possible for me to start something amazing too! In Jesus' name, I believe Him for that. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but in God's time and by His will, it will happen! And it all started when a little girl started drawing pictures for her parents. God gave me these gifts and I have given Him my heart, and I want to use my talents to honor Him and serve others.
God, I love You. I'm not perfect, but I want to let You know that if You can use me, just let me know and I will do it. Please continue to guide me in Your ways and teach me to be more like Your Son Jesus Christ. I want to grow in You and Your Word, God. Please help me to be a blessing to others; I hope to be a witness to those who are lost and yearning for something more--the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. God, please bless all of Your children, and open their eyes, ears, and hearts to Your Word. Bless our government officials with good decision-making skills for the moral betterment of our society. Bless our troops and their families with safety and strength. Heal the sick and hurting. Comfort those who are mistreated and misunderstood. And please watch over my family and friends and bless them with all that they need. Thank You so much, God, for Your mercy, grace, and love. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to earth to bear the weight of the sins of the world so that we could be saved. I am so grateful that I am saved, and I am proud to say that I am a child of God; there is no better blessing! Whatever plan You have for my life, God, I will follow You and honor You forever and ever because I love You! In Jesus' precious name, Amen!
Love and God Bless,
M.C.
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