The Toolbox

 

I haven’t posted much lately.  The business has taken over with no-heat calls and our marriage ministry needed our attention.  I am back.  I missed sharing with you and can’t wait to share more the next few weeks 😊

This one is a bit longer than normal but hang in there with me…

My husband and I recently had dinner with our pastor and his wife.  He shared with us a beautiful story about a toolbox. I wanted to pass along this story because it hit home.

This pandemic has taken over for many people.  The fear is real.  Covid is a real issue for some, and those who have succumb to it know how real it can be.  However, as Christians we are not to live in fear.  We are all going to die eventually.  Some by Covid, some by other means.  Only God knows the day and the hour of our time.  We are not to live in fear waiting for that day.  We are called to reach out to everyone and share the good news of Jesus Christ.  It is hard to do it from our chairs at home.  The enemy knows that and is enjoying this moment as many stay home from church in fear.

Now don’t get me wrong.  There are those who need to stay home.  The sick, the ones who are not able to leave their homes.  That is what online church is for.  Those who can’t get out. 

However, the church needs people in the pews. 

Here is where the story begins.  My pastor shared how a toolbox has great use for those doing handywork.  Each tool in the toolbox has a different use.  The hammer is very useful for pounding a nail in place.  The plyers are great for tightening a pipe.  The screwdriver is handy when a screw is loose.   However, the plyers are not as useful when a screw is loose.  The hammer is not as helpful with tightening a pipe.  I have used a hammer for things it shouldn’t be used for before, but we won’t go there.

The toolbox is needed and not as effective without all the tools inside.

We are God’s toolbox.  We are used by Him each day to help others using the gifts He has given us. 

The people in the church on Sunday are the same.  Each of us has a gift.  God uses each of our gifts to help others and to further His Kingdom.  If the gift that is needed on Sunday is not available because that person is home, the person in need suffers.  If we need encouragement and we are at home when the encourager is in church, we miss out.  We need fellowship and we need to use our gifts to help each other.

The church suffers when the body of Christ is fragmented.

How can the church help each other when we stay at home away from each other?   How can the church start a revival when it remains at home? 

I keep hearing the scripture, …For such a time as this.  Esther 4:14

I have been praying for a revival in our country and our churches.

I joined a group of people who are currently praying for this country.  Each of us has a state to pray over.  I chose Washington.  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with the small group I joined.  He hears All prayers.

Each of us is necessary.  Each of us a piece of the puzzle God has created.  We can’t be used if we are sitting on a shelf or sitting at home alone.

Will you step out and join me today?  Pray for our country and for our churches to be filled with people willing to help each other and reach out to the world.  Don’t let the enemy fill you with fear.  Let His power within you propel you to do His will.

 

Psalms 56:3  

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Acts 1: 7-8

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Esther 4:14

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

Resolutions and Grace...

 

Last Sunday at church I heard a profound statement.  I have heard it before.  But for some reason it resonated with me.  I thought I would share it here with you because, like me, you might need to hear it again.

 

If there is something that is important in your life, you will find a way to do it.  If it is not important, you will find an excuse.

 

Sounds simple right?  Well, pull up a chair and let’s put this in perspective.

I have a daily list of things to do.  I know, you are surprised.  Anyhow, I try to prioritize this list, but often even when I set the priority, I become distracted by other things during the day.  Those distractions may be calls that come in for the business, or another item on my desk that grabs my attention.  Either way, the list sometimes gets put on the bottom of my priorities.  It doesn’t make the list any less valuable.  I just make the choice to reprioritize the other tasks over the list.

However, when I need to catch a flight somewhere, I find the time to make it to the airport early.  Knowing I have a deadline, the flight will leave without me, I set my priorities differently.  I can’t put that flight at the bottom of my list.  Actually, I could.  The airline wouldn’t care.  They already have my money.  But I would care.  That would be an expensive lesson in timekeeping.

A few years ago, my husband broke his ankle and had to use crutches as he healed.  We purchased him a fancy blue scooter so he could put his leg on the scooter and ‘scoot’ all over the house faster than the crutches.  I wondered at the time if it was a good decision to get the scooter.  Instead of taking it easy, he used it as a resource to move faster in his tasks.  But that is for another story.

We had a Marriage Encounter Weekend within weeks of him breaking his ankle.  We could have stepped aside to let another couple present that weekend.  Sorry, no pun intended.  Sorry, I just laughed at my own joke there…

Anyhow, my husband decided we would still go to the event.  It was important to us, as well as the ministry.  We wanted to keep our promise and made it a priority.  His broken ankle did not distract his goal of being on that weekend.

Where am I going with all of this?  I am glad you asked.

How many resolutions have you made over the years?  One, several?  Have you given up on them, like I have? 

If you look at a resolution to do something different, whether January first, or June fifteenth, it is attainable with hard work and prioritization.  It is only taking a large project and breaking it down into small daily bites and not giving up. 

For example, I read through the bible many years ago and wanted to do so again but never made it a priority.  I read scriptures regularly, but I do know reading the entire bible gives a different perspective and a deeper closeness with my heavenly Father.

When I did make the resolution to read it through, I would get distracted and miss days.  Then I would get on my own case and put myself down.  Then I would finally admit defeat and put it aside making the assumption that there was no turning back.  Instead, I could have just picked up the bible again, and started where I left off. 

Small daily bites.

Do we give up on our kids or friends when they mess up?  No, we give them grace. 

God gives us daily grace.

Why can’t we give ourselves grace too?

Don’t give up on those goals.  Don’t give up on those dreams.  Make a plan.  Take small daily bites to reach your plan.  You will fall.  We all do.  But pick up where you left off, brush off, and start again. 

You have all those hours above.  You have time.  Failure only happens when we quit.

Give yourself grace and don’t quit. 

I am cheering for you!  You can do this!

Ps: I have picked up the goal again and I am reading where I left off in the bible.  Want to join me?  Head over to bible.com and join me 😊

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.