July 2010
Dear Friends,
Seems like a million things have happened in my world in the last month, you probably feel the same. God keeps me going from one thing to the next and often I feel like I am hanging on for the ride. My mom told me one day, “your life is like a rollercoaster with extreme highs and extreme lows.” I thought, “yea, and I don’t even like roller coasters, they make me throw up.” Maybe that’s why my stomach feels sick much of the time and I cannot always eat like I should. Whew, hang on with me. I feel myself clinging to God and trusting Him in ways I never thought were possible.
A dear friend of mine is dying of cancer and she and her husband came to visit us a few weeks ago. It was a total surprise and it blessed me so much. Something about a surprise visitor has always brought joy to my soul. The joy she has in the midst of suffering is incredible. I can sense the presence of Jesus in her. She lives out Romans 5:3-5 “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope; And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” She was sharing how she now understands why we grow our hair out to donate. She is often in a treatment room with bald children and thinks about hair being donated that helps them feel “normal.” She said we were a Light for God that shines farther than we know. I don’t feel like much of a Light some days and can get mad at people when they are judgmental of my husband‘s long hair. Yet, I know God has told us to give all we can give and donating hair is simple. We all have something to give. 2 Corinthians 8:14 “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.”
What plenty do you have that could meet the needs of someone else? We all have more plenty than we realize. God reveals excesses. One time He told me to give away all but a week’s worth of clothes for summer and winter. I thought sure, what do I need with the rest of that stuff as I can do laundry every week. I promise, for every piece of clothing I gave away, He must have brought me five times more. All these ladies started giving me clothes. It was crazy and I was overwhelmed. The more I gave away, the more clothes came. I started getting tired of looking through “new” clothes as they just kept coming and coming. My plenty could help meet the needs of another, and, in turn someone else’s plenty was meeting my needs. God has always provided clothes for my children as well. We have purchased one piece of clothing for each of them in their entire 6-year and 4-year lives and God has provided the rest. He is Faithful.
We were selected for a show on HGTV. If you do not know me well, this is WAY out of my comfort zone. I don’t even wear makeup. The show will feature a master bathroom and we wanted to decorate the bathroom in a way that would bring God glory so America would see Jesus and not us. God brought a friend to mind that might be willing to help. And you guessed correctly, her plenty met our need with beautiful crosses and other antiques. Another friend cleans houses and she gave of her time to help me clean and that was a gift as I hate to spend my time cleaning. The night before the cameras were coming, another friend came to pick out what we should all wear so we actually matched and looked decent. She ironed our clothes, after I dusted off the iron, and this all happening while my in-laws were in our kitchen preparing us dinner. Then, for two days, friends prayed for us and I was not nervous for one minute. They shared their plenty of prayers and love to meet our need. God be praised. The show will air in January. Pray the world sees Jesus.
In the whirlwind of “lights, camera, action,” I still needed to work, cookout with friends, help get things organized for a Mission Camp at our office, serve at a Backyard Bible Club, spend time with my family and hang with Jesus. I felt especially overwhelmed one day and was spending time with the Father begging Him to give me the faith I need for the road I am on. During my time with God, He had my friend that is battling cancer text me this…”Jenny, Never forget that you are a light from God!!” I knew this was a word from the Lord and I started searching His Word to understand what He was trying to show me. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” I asked God, “Do people see me and praise You?” That is my heart’s desire. I want to be nothing and I want God to be everything. Please read Philippians 2:12-18. God does not want us to run and labor for nothing. He can use our weaknesses, work in our lives and pour our lives out as a drink offering for Him. We shine as lights in the world. Do everything without grumbling or questioning. It is God who works in us for His good pleasure. The Light we shine is not our Light, it is Jesus in us, the hope of glory.
Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven to live with Him forever and ever. And we will be a Light for Him forever and ever if we are His child. If you do not know Jesus and do not live every day walking with Him, please talk to Him and let Him know you want Him in your life. He wants to hang with you. He wants to be your God and for you to be His child. To meet Jesus, admit that you do things wrong, believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, and confess your need for Him to be your Savior and Lord. He will forgive you of all your wrongs, become the Lord of your life and teach you how to walk day to day and moment to moment with Him. His Word will teach you treasures you do not yet know. He constantly speaks to my heart and changes me and I know He will do the same for you.
Life still has hardship and difficulty with Jesus, but our eyes will be open to His presence and power in our lives. You will see how He loves you, His provision for your family and how He alone can heal the deepest hurts of your heart. A verse I especially cling to is 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” He carries us and He never leaves us. So shine brightly, my friend, let’s be Lights for Jesus, no matter how weary we feel, until He calls us home. Reminds me of a little kid’s song I use to scream, while riding my bike, when I was a kid…
Chorus: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine. (chorus)
Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine. (chorus)
Shine all over Birmingham(town name) I’m gonna let it shine Shine all over Birmingham I’m gonna let it shine Shine all over Birmingham I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine. (chorus)
Let it shine til Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine til Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine til Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine. (chorus)
Living for His glory,
Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”