“It
is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail
not.”—Lamentations 3:22
Yesterday morning while going through
some paperwork in my home office, I ran across some old mail that gave me pause,
and caused me to slow down and remember the goodness of the Lord. As I sorted through what initially appeared
to be junk mail that should have long ago been discarded, I discovered a piece of
mail I’d sent to my ailing and dearly departed friend *Dee two years ago. I’d created the cover of it with Valentine’s
Day in mind for my church. The cover
bore the simple yet powerful words God laid on my heart that day while putting
it together: Jesus Loves You! I then selected a photo of a beautiful ruby red
rose to complete my design. Sadly this
would be the last bulletin I mailed to her.
She was admitted to the hospital
for the last time a few days after Valentine's Day, ultimately succumbing to the cancer that
metastasized throughout her body, taking her just sixteen days later. I know it was not by
accident that I happened upon that piece of mail.
As I sat quietly weeping, remembering,
and missing my friend, I thanked God for the seven years of friendship we shared. Then the Holy Spirit gently reminded of the
simple words I’d typed on that cover, Jesus
Loves You! Among other things, I ran
across a Sunday School lesson I’d taught in January of that same year, and my
first message spoken at a local mission in my hometown of Colorado entitled: He Knows and He Cares. I’d taken my theme from the words of the
prophet Jeremiah chapter 29 and verse eleven where the following words are
found:
“For
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace
and, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” As I continued to sort through that paperwork
and mail, I ran across other reminders of God’s mercy and grace in my life, and
reflected on his infinite love. By my
own admission, I realized that I’d become stale and jaded by what sometimes
feels like just the ordinary and routine tasks associated with my work as an
administrative assistant. Yet in that
moment I was reminded that even the seemingly little things we do in our day to
day lives matter. On that day I remember
wanting to express to each and every member and visitor of my church, that not
only do I love them, but more than that: Jesus loves them, and that if I could
share just a small part of me, and whole lot of Him it was all worth it. Indeed, God takes the ordinary, and sometimes
seemingly insignificant pieces of our lives and uses them to bless others and
share His love.
