God moves in the morning
I’m an early riser. Mostly because it’s the quietest part of the day and as an introvert, I need that time to center myself. I use the majority of that time to do devotions. (If you’re looking for a great app to help with your devotion time, I finally found one! Just ask!)
I took Murphy out this morning around 6:30 and as is typical for an early Saturday morning, we appeared to be the only ones awake. I came back through the lobby with Murphs and saw the security guard (the same one to whom I had brought iced coffee and chocolate the night before). He was on the last few hours of his double shift. We said hi and had a bit of small talk. I felt like he wanted to chat but I was in my PJs and just wanted to enjoy my iced coffee while doing devotions. That’s my time and selfishly, I wanted to get back upstairs to start. There was a natural pause ... we wished each other a good morning and I got in the elevator.
“I should have stopped. I should have allowed space for him to talk,” I thought. The elevator door opened at floor 12 but I let it close, still inside. I pushed L and soon re-entered the lobby.
I walked to the desk and said, “I’m so sorry, I should have offered to bring you more iced coffee. Would you like some?” “Oh no, I’m ok,” he said. “Do you want some of the chocolate back? I couldn’t finish it all.” “No that’s yours,” I said. “You can save it or share it.” “Thanks! I’ll share it with my family,” he said smiling.
Then I let him talk. What did he talk about? Not how tired he was nor complaining of any sort (even though it would be completely justified for him to do so with the hours he’s been pulling) but rather, he talked about the simple note I wrote in the greeting card the night before.
Please understand, it wasn’t anything significant or even something for which I can take credit. I simply let him know I’m praying for him and suggested he try something I read during my devotions this week: “Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, whisper ‘Jesus, have mercy on me.’ It works!”
He said that was a great reminder and he often doesn’t ask God for help. “Me too,” I said. “It helps me so I thought it may help you too.”
Twenty minutes had passed and I was back home, ready for my time with God. Sipping my iced coffee from my pint-size mason jar, I opened my guided study for the day. The topic and verse of the day: Carrying the Burdens of Others
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
The Amplified Bible takes it further saying: “So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith [born-again believers].”
Why do I write this? I get caught up in myself. All the time. When we turn in we tune out. I have to intentionally remind myself every day to look for opportunities to help others. It’s so easy to walk by — the man who’s struggling with the parking meter; the woman who’s wandering in the hospital, staring at the signage overhead; or the security guard who’s sat at the desk all night, alone with his thoughts.
I’m guilty of letting opportunities pass by (knowingly and unknowingly) but I’m trying my best.
God moves when we let Him. Where will he move in your life today?
I took Murphy out this morning around 6:30 and as is typical for an early Saturday morning, we appeared to be the only ones awake. I came back through the lobby with Murphs and saw the security guard (the same one to whom I had brought iced coffee and chocolate the night before). He was on the last few hours of his double shift. We said hi and had a bit of small talk. I felt like he wanted to chat but I was in my PJs and just wanted to enjoy my iced coffee while doing devotions. That’s my time and selfishly, I wanted to get back upstairs to start. There was a natural pause ... we wished each other a good morning and I got in the elevator.
“I should have stopped. I should have allowed space for him to talk,” I thought. The elevator door opened at floor 12 but I let it close, still inside. I pushed L and soon re-entered the lobby.
I walked to the desk and said, “I’m so sorry, I should have offered to bring you more iced coffee. Would you like some?” “Oh no, I’m ok,” he said. “Do you want some of the chocolate back? I couldn’t finish it all.” “No that’s yours,” I said. “You can save it or share it.” “Thanks! I’ll share it with my family,” he said smiling.
Then I let him talk. What did he talk about? Not how tired he was nor complaining of any sort (even though it would be completely justified for him to do so with the hours he’s been pulling) but rather, he talked about the simple note I wrote in the greeting card the night before.
Please understand, it wasn’t anything significant or even something for which I can take credit. I simply let him know I’m praying for him and suggested he try something I read during my devotions this week: “Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, whisper ‘Jesus, have mercy on me.’ It works!”
He said that was a great reminder and he often doesn’t ask God for help. “Me too,” I said. “It helps me so I thought it may help you too.”
Twenty minutes had passed and I was back home, ready for my time with God. Sipping my iced coffee from my pint-size mason jar, I opened my guided study for the day. The topic and verse of the day: Carrying the Burdens of Others
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
The Amplified Bible takes it further saying: “So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith [born-again believers].”
Why do I write this? I get caught up in myself. All the time. When we turn in we tune out. I have to intentionally remind myself every day to look for opportunities to help others. It’s so easy to walk by — the man who’s struggling with the parking meter; the woman who’s wandering in the hospital, staring at the signage overhead; or the security guard who’s sat at the desk all night, alone with his thoughts.
I’m guilty of letting opportunities pass by (knowingly and unknowingly) but I’m trying my best.
God moves when we let Him. Where will he move in your life today?
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