Connor’s second grade class has just begun computer training! Last Friday, he came home from school and instructed; “Mom, please get out your laptop so I can work on Microsoft Word!”

I complied with the request of the budding Bill Gates and started up Baby Dell. Oh, I should let you know that I named my little lap top. I find He is more cooperative when He feels valued! Ask anyone who has ever been in an airport with me-I always take Baby Dell out of His bag as I go through security and introduce Him to the TSA Agents who consequently handle Him with care! Yes, I am certain that they all think I am a little looney, but, at least no one would dare mess with my computer!

So, that Friday, I placed Baby Dell on Connor's lap. As I sat nearby, I heard Connor meticulously pecking away at the keys on Baby Dell. I could tell he had really learned a lot and was focused on creating the perfect document. “Mom, don’t listen.” He asserted. “I am writing you a letter.”

I told him I wasn’t listening, but, its really hard for a mother to ignore her child and a blind woman not to hear! Especially when Baby Dell is speaking every thing Connor types! Yes, Baby Dell also talks! And when Baby Dell talks, Mama Jenn listens!!

I heard Connor spelling the words, “Dear Mom.” I smiled with satisfaction. As I listened to him continue, I could tell he was trying to type “I love you.” the problem was he couldn’t find the “V!” all I heard was “I L-O” and I knew what he was trying to find as he paused and grunted and sighed.

I found myself silently cheering him on! “Come on Connor! It’s right next to the C! You can do it!” but, I remained silent. He needed to find the "V" all by himself. His gift of love wouldn’t have been the same if I had found the "V" for him. After a minute or two, I heard it! “V” followed quickly by “E” and soon the letter was complete! He proudly presented it to me and I beamed over his accomplishment and my heart was touched that he would use his new talent and great effort to bless me.

I think our lives are like that.

We type along, attempting to write the perfect letter that is our life to present to God. At times, we are flawless and at other times, we get stuck! We can't find the “V” either! God sees us when we struggle. He hears when we groan. And He silently supports even when we don’t know He is watching and listening.

I could have easily rescued Connor from his frustration and tapped the “V” for him, but it wouldn’t have been an act of kindness. It is most kind for a parent to give her child a chance to feel their own frustration, try, even if they fail, and afford opportunity for success.

God could easily rescue us when we get stuck also, but would it be the most kind act? I rather doubt it. It is in God's munificence, because of His benevolence, that He allows us to feel frustration, try, fail and succeed. If He constantly stepped in and rescued us from ourselves, what kind of offering would we have to give Him?

God is blessed by our frail and sincere offering of ourselves. he knows how hard it is to make our lives say “Dear God, I love You.” He beams when we present ourselves to Him, flaws, typos and all. His heart is touched when we seek to honor Him with our talents and hard work. Don’t be discouraged when you feel stuck. If you struggle to accomplish what you think is a simple task ... keep pecking away! Recognize that out of God's great kindness toward you, He gives you opportunity to try, fail, and succeed.

If God hasn’t chosen to find the “V” for you, don’t be discouraged. Just keep typing ... He wants you to experience the satisfaction of your own effort, and to recognize that in the silence, He is cheering you on!

The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Ps. 138:8

Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark (and Light),
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
http://www.jenniferrothschild.com
 

A great idea to raise money for your ministry or a local charity.

What you need: Three women willing to open their homes and a Sign-up sheet/Volunteers to help with food at each home. (We recommend they deliver it to the hostess by noon on the day of the event.)

Description: The first Saturday of December is our "Christmas Tour of Homes." Each year we pick an area of town where three women from our church agree to host this event in their homes. The first home is beverages where the ladies mingle while drinking hot chocolate, spiced tea, etc. The second home is appetizers where the ladies can sit and chat. The last home is desserts where we have a variety of homemade goodies and coffee.

At the last home, we gather in a room to sing Christmas carols. The woman selected to give a short devotional is told to relate it to a Christmas theme, such as giving, lights, gifts, etc. The evening begins at 6:00 and ends by 9:30.

We charge $10 per lady and all the money is donated to a local charity.

We always have a great turnout and it is one of our favorite events.

Submitted by: Debbie Blackshear, Jacksonville, FL
Email: dblack779@aol.com

Take a minute to revisit last week's sponsor...

• Jennifer's Sole Sisters!
• The Temple, a Bible study by Laurie Cole

Objectives: A fun way to get to know others in your fellowship, and have fun doing it, at Christmastime.

Materials: Copies of the "Twelve Days of Christmas"

Procedure: After all arrive, have a leader/spokesperson have everyone in the large group break into small groups according to the month in which they were born. January being group one, February being group two, etc. Each group, whether one or twenty, sing the segment of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which coincides with their birth month. January sings, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . ." and going on to December singing "On the twelfth day of Christmas." Each group sings their song segment over and over until the twelfth day is song and then all sing together. A great icebreaker and a good way to get to know a little more about the women in your ministry.

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