Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: 24 Hours (01/27/11)
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TITLE: The Gift (ii) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen McCabe
02/02/11 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
5:00 a.m.
What's that noise? Oh, the alarm - already?
Morning.
Coffee.
5:15 a.m.
"Good morning, God! I've got my coffee, my Bible and You. So what's on the agenda for today?"
“Dear heart, I'm giving you a gift. It comes wrapped in a challenge but I'm going to help you open it.
Proverbs 27:21
...a man is valued by what others say of him.
You know, from My Word, that I have given to each individual I’ve formed in the womb a measure of faith. Each one has everything it takes to trust in Me. And it’s their choice whether they do or not.
But also, inside each person, churns a desperate need for value. Not importance. Not rights. Value. That need comes from Me and not only motivates but also preserves.
Each person needs to feel they have value.
I challenge you, for the next 24 hours, to show every person you come in contact with - by your words - that they have value.
The gift will come when the challenge is over.”
“Okay,God, I accept. But please help me.”
7:00 a.m.
“Mom, I found my blue sweatshirt in the laundry with Justin's smelly, sweaty soccer uniforms. It wasn't dirty. I set it out so I would know where it was. This is a nightmare! I have my speech today and I have to have it. "
"I didn't know... I'm sorry. But you know what? God knows how important what you wear is to you and He always has everything under control. Do me a favor and trust Him in this. It’ll work out for the good."
"Yeah,right. Now I have to wear my ugly yellow tee. I'm doomed. Why does Justin have to play soccer, anyway."
9:00 a.m.
"You want to sit in the chair for me?" instructed the dental hygienist. "I see you brought... Oh, I've read that book - The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. It was good.”
"Oh,really? Tell me, did it change you after you read it?"
She stammered a little. "Well, um, I don't remember... It's been a while."
"I just finished it in the waiting room. It's opened a whole new window on how I view God... and forgiveness."
"Hmmm, maybe I ought to read it again."
"Maybe God brought me here just so you would.”
"Wow."
11:00 a.m.
“The check-out clerk at Wal-Mart looks grumpy. God, what do I say to her?”
Then it comes to me. "You know, that lady in front of me was really mad. But you were so sweet to her and that seemed to calm her right down. I was just thinking, you have a golden opportunity to change people’s whole day just by the way you talk to them.”
"You know, that’s true. That’s kinda neat, huh."
3:00 p.m.
“Well, God, it's been exciting seeing people through Your eyes. The man at the dry cleaners, my cranky next-door neighbor. He was a tough one.”
"Mom, I'm home! Guess what. We had a fire-drill during speech class today and ran out of time. I'm giving my speech tomorrow. If I had worn my sweatshirt today, I would have been soooooo mad. Thanks, Mom.
"So, God made the whole school go through a fire-drill just because you couldn’t wear your blue sweatshirt…”
"Well, yeah,” eyes upward. ”Thanks, God."
7:00 p.m.
My husband plopped down in his lounge chair. “I’m exhausted…”
“Tough day?”
“Yeah. These long hours are killing me.”
“I bet your boss appreciates all your hard work.”
“Yeah, right. Like he even thinks twice about it.”
“Well, honey, your family does. We really appreciate how hard you work ‘cause we know you do it for us.”
I caught a hint of a grin. “Thanks for saying that.”
10:00 p.m.
“Goodnight, God. Thank You for a most interesting day.”
Friday
5:15 a.m.
"Good morning, God! I've got my coffee, my Bible and You. So what's on the agenda for today?"
“Your gift, dear heart.”
“Oh, yeah, my gift.”
“Yesterday, you expressed value to those you came in contact with. You saw each of them as I see them. But it wasn’t for them – it wasn’t even for you. It was for Me. You opened a door for Me to speak to their spirit. You gave Me a gift by fulfilling My purpose in those 24 hours. Now, go and do this every day.”
“And my gift will be found in using Your gift?”
Absolutely!
“Thank You, God for Your indescribable gift.”
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no major dramas not life and death ethical disasters. Just a normal day :-) thanks for reminding me that even a normal day is a gift from God