UNAPOLOGETICALLY OBEDIENT
Friends, am I speaking for myself or all of us when I say that there are so many times I feel called to do something, have the best of intentions to get it done, and never get around to doing it? It’s that thank you card I meant to send or that gift I wanted to buy, or that “catch up” phone call I meant to make. I mean, I want to do it. I plan out how I’m going to do it. But, sometimes, I don’t get it done. And, honestly, the older I get, the more commonplace it is for me to become more of a “I’m going to do that” and less of a “I’m doing that, like, NOW. Consider it done.”
But, hey, we’re human. We do get tired and busy and wrapped up in our own little lives. To that note, when someone does send a thank you card or a gift or makes that catch up phone call, well, it just feels so nice to be on the receiving end of it. It’s that, “This person thought to do this for me and actually did it.” It warms your heart, makes you feel special and important. And, a good ole’ heartwarming is always great for the soul and being made to feel or reminded that you are special or important is downright essential.
I truly believe that when God puts it on our hearts to serve someone in some capacity, that it’s our responsibility to be obedient to that. Today, I received the most beautiful text from my beloved friend and sister in Christ, Debra Nixon Boles (Founder of Women Called Moses) with this message.
“I greet you thanking God that I can go to Him in prayer 24/7. We can take our burdens to the Lord in prayer and leave them there! When trouble and storms of life arise, who do you run to? I know people on earth will fail you. Don’t wait till all else fails! I thank God that He is always available to us. God is always willing to help us & a very present help! He wants us to seek Him first! God sees and knows everything. He is our everything. God is our Savior. He’s a way maker! So today I encourage you to pray more often. Ask God to help you today!! God will never leave you nor forsake you, God will deliver you. God is sooooo amazing, try Him today! Pray to our Father which art in Heaven, let the devil know that you got Jesus and that God is still here! Seek the best help today! God can turn everything around. He will turn your frown into a smile. Think about this; everybody needs somebody. Keep praying & looking to the hills which cometh your help. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER. He’s waiting with open arms to help us!!! He loves knee mail. Amen.”
Then, after a brief conversation between her drive home from work and my drive to an appointment, my beloved best girl from college, Kelly Ogle, texted me with an image that read, “Be somebody who makes everyone feel like somebody” and a personal message that said, “Thank you for being this person!”
After that sweet call and even sweeter text, I dashed into my impromptu appointment with my friend, family member by choice, mentor and JL PARISH visionary, Bob Munro. We talked shop and indulged in a couple cool drinks from Starbucks, and, when I walked out, he did what he always does, thanks me for coming by and tells me how excited he is about all that I’m striving to do with JL PARISH.
And, last but not least, as I got home and threw my purse down, it made a little noise. I picked it up, and my TJC sister from another mister and faithful friend for more than 20 years was calling. Keysha Bradley and I chit-chatted about a little bit of everything, and, at the end of our call, we prayed. Bless her heart, my prayers are never short. And, after that, she thanked me and told me she loved me to “noon and back.” Then, quickly corrected it with “moon and back.” And, closed out the text with “beyond noon and to the moon.”
I had a potpourri of precious people in my life going out of their way to express what was on their hearts. And, I know for sure that God put it there. When they had that thought and acted on it, God smiled in their obedience. Because, friends, I needed a lift today. God knew it, and He put His people on it. Thank God they were obedient to His calling.
Now, what can I say, I’m strutting around the house like Mariah Carey. My husband is looking at me with a bit of a curious brow. If only he knew how blessed or as he would say “#blessed” I’ve been today.
If you feel something inside that pushes you to connect with someone in some capacity, do it. It doesn’t have to be a perfectly boxed gift from Neiman Marcus (although, that is always nice). It can be a short phone call to let someone know that you were simply thinking of them. Why? Because they probably need to hear it.
Stay Divine,
JL PARISH
