It Isn't a Whim...

My girl can shop.  I have had other women tell me that she can out shop and wear out any who accompany her...and most often that any is me.  I tell my friends that my five foot two bride is the only one I know who turns shopping a stamina event.  This morning, when she arose, I told her she wore me out yesterday.  Her response?  "That was nothing.  Maybe you need to start joining me at the gym."

Yes, I am out of shape on many levels.  I kept trying to tell myself it was because I was wearing my new Guess boots (from Nordstrom Rack gathered on a previous shopping excursion), not my super cushy Asics Gel Kayano running shoes (that I never use for running by the way) that were to blame.  And yes, I will benefit from some additional exercise...some day soon.

Our Christmas shopping is almost done and it isn't even Thanksgiving!  I even picked up some clothes for my girl (at Ann Taylor) yesterday.  Yes, I know her size (medium petite at this store) and color palate and yes it was all 50% off the sale price (something that she often insists upon)!   So, even I benefited from the exhaustive shopping experience!  One final gift purchase (hopefully on Black Friday) and I am done shopping for her (with the exception of stocking stuffers).

Last Sunday, I preached a sermon about miracles from the passage in Matthew 14.  I felt the urging of the Lord to share about my personal miracle of healing, yesterday's shopping experience a miracle in itself.  For I should have been either

1. dead or
2. unable to participate in such a challenging event.

These footprints of faith, blessed to live and experience a flat out miracle, led me to step out in faith to ask for more, and they came in so many different ways.  So often I pinch myself as I reflect upon the MANY wonderful experiences I have been privileged in which to participate, spending the day shopping with my girl?  One of them.

If you read my blog, you may also know of the many challenging times our family faced leading to my dad's transition off planet, something that awaits ALL of us.  It is my prayer that these musings speak and reflect a genuine heart in realistic fashion boasting solely in the power of my Lord, for His glory.  We each get to live our lives before our Lord by choice, by abstinence or a host of variables in between.  God is God whether we choose to acknowledge Him or not, speak of Him or run from Him.

He chose to spare my life for His purpose and bring healing to my catastrophically diseased heart...all so I could go shopping with my girl (well that is part of the reason);  AND to be a reminder to whom my sincerest, most resplendent, joy-filled thanksgiving rises.  Indeed, I give thanks to the God of the universe unveiling His presence and glory through His many servants choosing to do the same.  As this Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for the miracles He has wrought through us all. Some day soon, I will get to spend eternity with all those choosing to acknowledge Jesus as The Way, The Truth and The Life.  While our earthly days fly by, eternity will last.  It isn't a whim that forges my faith, it is the very work of God Himself working, in us,  for those looking and choosing to live in response to His powerful kingdom work.  My prayer for all is that we taste and see that the Lord is good!

You can hear about it @  http://newheightscommunity.org/home-sp-910752004/sermon-series-new/sermon/47-we-believe-in-miracles