Devotionals

---

Journal of a Devoted Writer

Journal entry: Monday, 10:30 pm – Dearest God: Tomorrow I leave home for a few days on business. During my travels I pray for the opportunity to serve you. Bless me, Lord, so that I can be a blessing to those I meet along this journey. Expand my horizons by teaching and guiding me in your ways. Be with me on this journey so that I can feel your presence. And, finally Lord, keep me safe from harm. Through your Son I pray, Amen.

Journal entry: Tuesday, 6:30 am – Good morning God. The airport is quiet this morning as I anxiously await this journey with you. Keep me safe, alert, and in your tender arms. Amen. p.s. Oh yes, don't forget to use me today. I am ready!

Journal entry: Wednesday, 5:30 am – Sorry God, I really meant to work on writing that devotional in the hotel room last night but I was so tired and then there was the hockey game on TV. If the score hadn't been so close I am sure I would have turned it off and studied the scripture lesson. Anyway, forgive me. I am here now; ready to do your work. Open my heart to the verses you have before me this morning. Amen.

Journal entry: Wednesday, 5:30 pm – I now have an hour delay in my flight. Let's get to work. I read the verses in Act but I don't see what it is you want me to write. Paul has a vision about a man in Macedonia which causes him to travel to Philippi. There, he prays with a woman outside the city gates. What does this story have to do with 2004? I am sure there must be something I should write. You better hurry and inspire me, I only have an hour.

Journal entry: Wednesday, 7:30 pm – GOD! I can't believe it. Not here! Can't they see I am trying to write? The most obnoxious little boy in the whole airport and they have to move next to me. Isn't it bad enough that our plane is going to be 3 hours late and I won't get home until after midnight? Now this boy! Why can't he sit still? And his mother… Get with it, lady. Put the crying baby in the stroller and control your son. Ouch! He just stepped on my foot again. Help me God. Give me peace.

Journal entry: Wednesday, 7:45 pm – Now that was weird! The hippy lady that has been sitting across the aisle from me, a has-been from the 60s still trying to be "mod" with her obviously new Tucson-like ranch clothing, her turquoise jewelry, and those Japanese symbols tattooed on her arm, gets up and starts talking to the boy. Well, at least it's quiet now. She has taken him to the window to watch the planes. Now, perhaps I can get this devotional written. Help me Lord. Open my mind to these verses so I can grasp their meaning and how they should apply to my life.

Journal entry: Wednesday, 11:30 pm – Heavenly Father: I haven't written a thing but as I sit here in the darkened plane, still an hour from home, I am beginning to think back on the night's events. The Tucson-hippy lady was so nice and comforting to the boy and her mother. They were flying across country to their new home while Dad was driving the u-haul. They had been traveling since five in the morning. The hippy woman seemed to know just what they needed. She wasn't disturbed when she had to set her book down for the noise. She simply came across the aisle and provided loving support to a stressed-out mom and excited little boy. You know, the moment that really caught my attention was when the lady went back to her seat to pack up her belongings. Did you know that she had been reading the Bible when she got interrupted? Of course you did. I wonder what verse. Thank you, God, for sending that mother a helper in her time of need – I wish it could have been me.

Journal entry: Thursday, 7:30 am – Loving Father: Thank you for guiding me through the writing of this morning's devotional but, more importantly, thank you for giving me a clear understanding of what ministry really means. Just as Paul ends up in prayer with a woman when the dream had indicated a man, I discovered yesterday that ministry moments may not look or sound like what I expect or hope for. I asked you for an opportunity to serve and then focused only what I wanted to achieve. In the mean time, you brought a true ministry moment directly onto my feet and I missed it. Forgive me Father and help me never to forget that true ministry is being available to love and help those in need, whoever they are. I pray that I am ready, next time. Through your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Inspired by: Acts 16:9-15

FUMC Devotionals

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE