Who Has Poured Jesus Into Your Life?

Who is like you, Lord?

This will have nothing to do with the rest of my post, but I just have to get it out.  I've asked myself (and maybe shouted it a few times) the above question since Monday.  I was so full of the Lord when the week started because He has started confirming some things in my heart, while tearing down some senseless things I've been believing.  Monday afternoon I received 2 phone calls and an email testifying to 3 different miraculous things the Lord has done in the lives of my friends.

I hung up the phone after the last call and shouted, "Who is like you Lord? You have done great and miraculous things! You are so smart!" (Psalm 71:19 - okay, I added the 'smart' part, but is He not??)

While driving to school Tuesday morning, I was sharing something really cool with my girls that God had done the night before (yes, I will share it with you later - I know, I hate when people do that) when we reached the top of a hill in our town and saw the sun coming up.  It was a beautiful display with a bright orange sun reflected on the clouds against a brilliant blue sky! I shouted, "Who is like you Lord? The heavens declare your glory!" (Psalm 89)

Emma got so tickled and yelled, "I have seen your power and your glory in the sanctuary and my lips shall praise thee!!" (Psalm 63)

Olivia simply said, "God. You. Are. Good."

Amen!

You know what I'm reminded of this week? We are going through some very tough things.  This isn't a fun season for us to be in and there have been days I wondered if I would make it.  But, Jesus is the difference.  He sustains us and redeems all things.  AND, when I focus on other people and take the attention off my selfish self, I am open to see how wonderful He is.

So ...... to my Love As A Verb post.

I can't pinpoint the day, but I will say months and months ago, God began putting a thought in my heart about the people that are encouraging my children.  The people that are living out their faith in Christ in front of my girls confirming to them He is worth walking with.

I haven't been able to escape the thought.  While some parents tend to feel threatened by another person influencing his/her child (possibly rooted in jealousy), my prayer has always been that God would surround my girls with people that love Him.  I'm not always going to be the one they run to, so I'm praying God will raise up some powerful mentors who will willingly pour Jesus into their lives.

When we started talking about how to serve others this month, that was one of my first thoughts - to bless those people that have poured Jesus into my babies.

I already had a couple of people in mind, but once we sat down with Emma and Olivia to see who they came up with, we were surprised by their answers.  What that has taught me is, to a child, the outlook is different.  Where I would choose the obvious - teachers, etc. - Emma carefully considers those people that encourage her when others turn away.  Listening to her name people has been astounding.  And taught me once again that people are always watching and notice your life. 

When our list totaled just under 40 people, I got a little nervous about what we would do.  I mean, could I really bake 40 loaves of cinnamon bread? ha!

I was relieved to find a girl in our town that runs a bakery out of her home.  She made me 4 dozen of the most beautiful cookies ....

Eric and I have typed up cards to each person the girls have listed, and Emma and Olivia have either signed their names or written a note to each one.

One cookie goes with each card.  We're distributing them this week.

A cookie certainly isn't enough, but God will ultimately reward those who have shown Jesus to an unsuspecting child.

I have no idea how it will be received, and the truth is, it doesn't matter.  This has been a great discussion in our home and I have thanked God for each and every person that shows Christ to my child.  I believe God will do great things with my children if they choose to follow His path for their lives.  Eric and I can't be the only ones influencing them.  They'll no doubt look for wisdom from others.  I'm praying they seek those that have that extra something special - Jesus.

Here's a funny story ... Olivia was more than willing to participate when we first started talking about this.  BUT, when she saw the cookies (she has a serious sweet tooth), she didn't want to give them to anybody! She said she couldn't think of a single person that had shown her Jesus - haha.  Thankfully, after she filled her tummy with cookies from home, she's back to wanting to bless others with these.  Her sweetest answer has been to make sure Emma gets one because that is who tells her the most about Jesus.  That melts this Mom's heart. ;)