A Listen. A Prayer. A Tear

So last night I decided after a meeting to go and do a little grocery shopping and some banking.  On the way there, I made a critical decision, though at the time I made it I had no idea just how important it would be.  It was a simple enough choice, turn the steering wheel right and go shopping or left and go to the bank first.  When I arrived at the bank, I decided to answer a couple of text messages before heading in.  I went in and did my banking and just as I finished a woman came into the bank.  When she opened the door, she was mumbling and muttering under her breath that she really did not want to do the bit of banking she needed to do.  She was obviously distraught, and she looked like she was exhausted and had not slept for ages and I don’t think she knew I had heard what she said on her way into the bank.  While I stood there waiting for my receipt to print she came up to me and asked me "Do you sometimes hate banking?”  However, before I could answer she said she really did not want to take money from her account and give it to her ungrateful son.  She proceeded to pour out her story of woe and how her son had squandered a huge amount of money his father had given him and now was in need of a hand out.  In addition, not only was her son giving her grief but now her 16 year old daughter was not listening to her and instead fighting her at every turn.  She finished by saying that she has prayed over and over and over for her children to the Lord, so she said, "I guess I just have to trust he will take care of them.”  This conversation took place standing in the bank in front of the bank machine and lasted about 5 or 6 minutes and no one came into the bank, we had it to ourselves.  It was as if she just needed to unburden herself and she just needed someone to listen to her and not talk back or storm away or offer platitudes.  I stood there listening.  Then I asked her if I could pray for her.  Her eye welled up with tears immediately.  I bowed my head and began to pray blessings, grace, and peace and love over her and her family.  As I prayed, she stood there weeping sniffling and shaking.  When I had finished I asked her if she would like a simple hug and bit of reassurance that tomorrow is a new day and that she just had to finish this one and get some rest.  She looked up at me and said, "You know it seems that I am always the one doing the praying.  It has been so good to be the one prayed for."  Thank you she said as I turned and headed out of the bank.  I love these kinds of encounters with people.  Every once in a while I am blessed by the Lord just to do a simple act of kindness like this for another.  A listen; A prayer; A tear.  Thanks Lord for using me to bless this woman in your name.

Imitation is the Real Deal

Father's Day is coming up and I been thinking about influence today. Specifically, influence on our spouses and children. I have come to the following conclusion based on the words of Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Husbands turn to your wives and say to them, "follow me as I follow Christ." Wives turn to your husbands and say "follow me as I follow Christ." If you do this, your children will follow along without even asking them to do so, it's like kids are designed to do so. I believe the best way to influence our children for the Gospel and for living out the way of faith is to set before them a broken yet grace filled and forgiven life. A life that is determined to continually set an example of what Christ-like love looks like. We need to ask ourselves and answer honestly, "How do we treat each other as spouses?" Do we show love by being accepting, respectful, speaking the truth in love, forgiving and asking for forgiveness and verbalising these traits in front of our kids? Kids are imitators. I remember trying to walk just like my dad did. I remember playing sport just like my dad did. I remember my mum practicing for hours just to play a few songs in the upcoming Sunday service and as a result I would prepare well anytime I did any serving in the church. I remember the ride home after church and listening to my mum talk about her Sunday school class with the teens and thinking I want to be just like her when I grow up. I remember listening to my dad give wise godly council to people who showed up in our house from time to time looking for help and thinking to myself, I want to be just like my dad! I look back now and see in so many ways how my life was shaped by my parents and how without even noticing what I was doing I was simply imitating them in how I lived my life. Paul writes a little bit earlier before in 1 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me." Kids are master imitators... they parrot what they see, the act out what they are shown, they verbalise what they hear and they internalise attitudes. They are imitators. So let's be conscience of this vital truth as it relates to our marriages and families. God is our helper. He wants us to imitate Christ even more than we do and so has given us His precious Holy Spirit to enable us to do so... God bless us people as we seek to raise Godly, faithful and healthy children in the Lord. Enjoy the journey