Last week, on my birthday, we were driving home late and listening to this minister on one of those Christian Talk Radio stations. Although, the point of his sermon could have been relayed in only about 5 minutes and some of the passages he quoted were out of context, his message was clear. He was telling us that the blessings we receive from God are to be seen as gifts, not as a reward. I think in the back of my head, I always new this, but life can burden us so much to the point where when something good happens, we can feel like we deserve the break or the blessing. Maybe some of us even think that it's about time our prayer was answered. But, the truth is, we dont earn or deserve anything God gives to us. His gifts are just that - GIFTS! We may never know the reason for his gift, but all we can do is be thankful and remember to stay humble so as not to take advantage of the blessings HE gives.
Derrick was hired to build a website for a furniture company here in town. At first, I was sorta upset that he underbid the job so much (only $250), but then when I met the couple (Dan and Julie) that owns the shop, I knew that these two people hadn't been brought into our lives purely for the sake of business. Miraculously, the very FIRST day I met them, I had been having a terrible tooth-ache for a few days. I took a drink of my Gatorade and the coldness made my tooth begin to throb. Immediately after I grabbed my mouth, Dan got on his cell phone and called his dentist without any hesitation. Not only did he get me an appointment with the most amazingly gentle dentist for the same day, but when we went to pay the bill, we were told that Dan had already had it taken care of! Can you believe that?!? Such a small gesture for most people, but it was the greatest gift given to me in a long time. As soon as we left the Dentist's office, Derrick and I looked at each other and we both began discussing how much that sermon from the previous week, had such a new and profound meaning to us. Now, we are on their payroll and I am keeping busy helping them build their business. They have even offered us a house on a 50 acre ranch for barely any rent! These two people have been such a gift in our lives and right at the moment when we were beginning to lose hope in people all together. They also have an amazing 12 year old daughter that I might be homeschooling part time. I don't know if I will ever find a way to thank them like I'd like to, but more importantly, if I will ever be able to thank God for bringing us together.
I just wanted to share this story will all of you to remind you that God is still a very big part of our daily lives. I guess I needed to be reminded too. Maybe all we can do is pass on the gifts that we are given. For all of you that have seen the movie, go out and "Pay it Forward."
