(Follow-up from yesterday, ‘Tween God and Me – Coat)
“Oh, God will give back to you a much better coat,” said a friend steeped in the faith of a seed-planting “it will return to you 30, 60, or 100 percent” believer.
“Well, trot on down to the Thrift Store and buy yourself one to replace it,” said my practical whole-lot-like-me sister.
Well, God didn’t give a coat back to me that was much better. And I didn’t go to the Thrift Store. I did get a new coat – black vinyl – for about $39.95 at Walmarts. And I never went cold. I hope the girl didn’t either. But even that coat would not make that bus bench warm.
I believe the Lord puts these kinds of “tests” in my journey more to help me, than to help someone else. I needed to learn what a “hesitant” giver I am. I needed to know how much joy could come from obedience. And probably a lot of other stuff about myself. Now I have no doubt the girl needed the coat. Imagine with me that her mother had been praying for a coat for her daughter. Maybe a nice coat would encourage both the mother and the daughter in how much the Lord loved them. Maybe God saw how he could “kill three or four birds with one stone” Oh, no, what a terrible phrase to use. I don’t see him as a killer of birds!
Another comment. It was interesting to me that the phone rang and held me back maybe to slow me enough so the girl was on the bench. If I had been three or four minutes earlier, she might not have been there.
Some credit my “love for my fellowman” as the motivation for this incident. Not so. I saw the girl; I passed her by without a thought until I was prodded by the words of God. There are a lot of good deeds being done by good people without even a belief in the Lord God. Good deeds are as nothing without the love of God. Give a cup of water – in my name…. Of course, good deeds are important to the earthly man, it just doesn’t cut it with the spiritual man. Scripture says our righteousness is as filthy rags. However, good deeds -hesitant or eager – should be an outcome of our salvation.
Another thing – how much of this was caused just because God knows I love to think of doing something to give him a good laugh. Many say and I guess it is true, that nothing we can do will make God love us more. But I really think we can do things which will bring pleasure to Him. Let my life so be a pleasure to you, my Lord.
In the Introduction, Westminister Catechism, “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” And I believe God enjoys our enjoying Him!
About oneta hayes
ABOUT ME
Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
Sweet aroma 
Thanks for the rest of the story. Your faithfulness is encouraging. Be blessed. God is Great.
He certainly is. The Rock of our Salvation, and greatly to be blessed! Thanks for reading and commenting.
We will always find God in every circumstance of our life…as long as we are looking for Him. Hugs to you for always finding ‘Him!’
The Lord says, “Seek my face,” and like David, I say, “Your face, Lord, will I seek.”
I am so grateful you posted this follow up. Thank you sincerely. Sowing and reaping is a God principle but I certainly have journeyed a similar path to you and that’s why I appreciate the blog so much. It, sowing reaping, should never even enter our thinking if the circumstances have been ‘set up’ by the Lord of ‘what may come back’. All our needs when we love Him – in His Will – are met but He determines how He answers the prayers of ‘others’. Finding God is every circumstance ….what a lovely thought….we must keep looking. Thank you for who you are in Him, Oneta.
Thank you, Faye. God does and will repay but not often in ways we determine or expect. He is not in the “exchange” business. 😀
I’m so happy to read the conclusion of your story. And it is every bit as authentic and encouraging as the first part. I especially loved what you said about God enjoying our “enjoyment of Him.” Wonderful. ❤
We are made in the image of God. Why would he ever have added the sound of a laugh and the appreciation of humor to man’s emotions if they were not a part of him. The only other thing one could come up with is that it is a sin – I don’t believe that. I laugh at a puppy trying to get its head out of paper sack or a six month old who giggling at a bouncing ball, pun on words – all sorts of things that are not wrong. I know the Bible speaks of God laughing in derision so all is not joyous in his laughter – not when it is a result of nations mocking at him. But I think he knows what humor is because he rigged out “humor” cell! 😀
God is really the supreme power residing within us..
Isn’t that wonderful. If we recognize his voice and are obedient to it, we cannot fail.
Yes you are absolutely right.