WITandWISDOM(tm) - February 4, 1998
~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS:
If you don't get what you want it is a sign either that you did not seriously want it or that you tried to bargain over the price." - Rudyard Kipling
Source: http://www.netastic.com/msm/higher_calling.htm
~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS:
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Nervous, doubtful--that was me. My training for our church's lay counseling ministry had begun. To encourage me, a friend remarked how she felt I was suited to the helping ministry. But I didn't feel particularly suited, able, or ready. I just knew God had called me.
The enemy's sneers hit hard, disguised by first person, singular pronouns: "I can't help anyone--what do I know!" Had I trusted those feelings, I would have quit long before I got started.
The Lord reassured me that He would move through this clay vessel of mine if I would trust Him to be my adequacy, and not my efforts. Not that I wouldn't train and prepare for ministry. But I could stop obsessing about doing everything right, and instead, rely on Christ's life, power, and love to flow through me.
"But what if God isn't enough?" my first care-receiver asked. I gulped. What could I say? Life's pain had peeled away all pretense, leaving this hurting woman emotionally naked before me. She slumped over and cried--scared, and drained of hope. I couldn't prove God is enough. I couldn't even think of a scripture.
I put my arm around her and dabbed at her tears with my Kleenex. My own eyes were watery now. No words of wisdom, no insight, no promises. In fact, I felt pretty stupid. How could I minister to her if I didn't know what to say? Struggling with my own helplessness, I took her hand, bowed my head, and prayed that God would become undeniably real to her. He did. But I didn't know about it until months later.
"You blessed me," she said with a smile, "because you didn't preach or tell me how to feel. You sat and cried with me when nobody else had time. To me you were Jesus with skin on." Stunned, I realized God's Spirit was truly able to minister through my inability. God didn't need my help, and He had been quite enough.
by Vicki Thomas Gaines, Copyright 1997 http://www.sayhello.com/cwg/enough.html
~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT:
WAYS TO ANNOY THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU ON A FLIGHT
Find common interests. Ask, "Are you in the Witness Protection Program too?"
Tell your fellow passenger that you just heard the bathrooms were out-of-order. Then pause and say, "Did you know that peanuts are a natural diuretic?" Smile.
Call the stewardess "nurse".
Sport a kamikaze helmet and goggles. Speak in a low voice into a hand held tape recorder: "Today's date, December 7th, 1941. I was not able to command my own personal plane but success shall still be ours...."
Decorate. Bring a scatter rug and tiny draperies. Hang a "Home Sweet Home" plaque on the back of the seat in front of you. Invite your fellow passengers in for tea.
Suddenly remember that you left your iron on. Ask if the pilot would mind going back so you can check.
Bring a "Word-a-Day" calendar on board with you. Read every single word aloud and attempt to use it in a sentence. Use them all incorrectly. "?My, you have a very irate home,' she said governessly."
Lean back in your seat, fold your arms behind your head and exclaim, "Thank God for auto-pilot, eh?"
Shared by Have A Nice Day smiles@bapp.com
~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING:
Having surgery lately, I definitely faired better than the guy in the bed next to me in the recovery room. I couldn't see him, but I overheard the conversation with his doctor through the curtain; "How'd my surgery go Doc? Was it successful?" "I'm afraid I have some bad news. You're dying and you don't have much time," the doctor says. "Oh no, that's terrible. How long have I got?" the man asked. "Ten..." says the doctor. "Ten? Ten what?!? Months? Weeks? WHAT?!?" he asked desperately. "Nine... Eight... Seven..."
Shared by Laugh-A-Lot! laughalot-owner@graceweb.org
~~~~~~~ TRIVIA:
n the Far East the people plant a tree called the Chinese bamboo. During the first four years they water and fertilize the plant with seemingly little or no results. Then the fifth year they again apply water and fertilizer - and in five weeks' time the tree grows ninety feet in height. - John L. Mason, "Enemy Called Average"
Shared by Frank Dupper
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