A modern day Zacchaeus story

…  for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)

I had to have been crazy. Why would anyone go thrift store shopping on a rainy day? But out we went, my niece and I, looking for "treasures" and enjoying each others company.

Often times there is nothing much worth buying. But this day I found six skeins of yarn. For $2.50! A real bargain. I hesitated though. It was navy blue. Extremely difficult to work with. Dark colors just are. The wrapper was gone from all of them so I didn't know for sure the weight or how much was really there. And the yarn felt stiff as if kind of old. Maybe not such a bargain after all. Still, the price taunted me and I decided it would be worth the risk.

Once home, I rifled through all my old patterns I had saved for who knows how long. Without knowing the yardage, how would I know if I had enough? I finally decided on something. A pattern I'd never done before. And being unsure about the yarn, it would be a leap of faith as to what size it would end up being. Closing my eyes. Taking a chance.

Well, the pattern was fairly easy and progress was quick. Looked like something useable would come out of it after all.

I was three-quarters of the way through when someone posted on social media that hospice was in need of lap robes. Hmmm. I wonder what size a lap robe needs to be?

You guessed it. My little "spontaneous" project turned out to be the exact measurement for a lap robe that would accommodate someone in a wheelchair. 

Was all this coincidence?

• someone donated some old yarn
• we went shopping in the rain
• the yarn was at such a bargain price for the quantity
• an appealing pattern was saved months ago
• a post was made on social media
• the project came out just the right size

Or was all this of God? Aligning circumstances to meet someone's need before the individual even asked? 

What do you believe happened?

Long before Zaccheaus couldn’t see Jesus, 

the tree was already planted to meet his need.

Prayer… for you

 

Prayer. It’s for you, you know. Because God is already on the move. God is right in front of you…

You hem me in behind and before, You lay Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

God is already in motion. God already has a plan. And it is going to end in a good way.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him… Romans 8:28

Prayer is opening our eyes to all the opportunities that God will show Himself. I think we miss sensing God’s love, care, and devoted attention when we don’t pray about every kind of thing. So bring all your requests to God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Number one He will give you peace of mind and number two we will see the living God in present time.

Prayer isn’t asking God to wake up and do something. What we’re really saying/asking/praying is: awaken me to Your presence, Lord. Because He is already taking care of business. And we don’t want to miss a thing.

Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

So wait and watch…

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. Blessed are all who wait for Him! Isaiah 30:18

My heart says of you, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8

Reading it; praying it

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name  (1 Chronicles 16:8-10)... (pause)

Truly, God, with all my heart, thank You for every thing. Thank You for never leaving me; You never stop loving me, helping me, caring about me. Thank You for calling out my name. Yes, thank You. I'm thankful I can approach Your holy throne with confidence and acceptance. And am welcomed in great love.

Make known among the nations what He has done ... (pause)

I surely will, Lord God, as You lead and direct and guide my thoughts and words. May my testimony of You and Your greatness be heard, seen, felt in and through my thoughts, words and deeds. In my attitude, in my heart and mind and all that overflows from them, God. Be glorified. Be glorified.

Sing to Him. Sing praise to Him ... (pause)

Lord, You are above all and beyond all. Unfathomable greatness. Awesomeness, goodness beyond belief. Ultimate perfect love and acceptance, tenderness, compassionate too. Merciful. Great are You, Lord. Great in all You've done for me over the years. All the helps, all the rescues, all the joys. Your amazing grace through it all. Through unbelievable traumas. Through huge mistakes. Yet You do not harbor any anger or disappointment. You still send beautiful blessings into every day. Great is Your faithfulness. Great is Your unchanging, unfailing character of love and grace, Lord... unto me.

Tell of all His wonderful acts... (pause)

Thank You for seeing me through my rebellious times and desert times. Wandering off times, drifted away times both from long ago and even just yesterday. You love me still, care for me still - through the times I've been on fire for You, Lord and for the times I've run after worldly passions as well. You have loved me. Cared about me. Scooped me up after every fall, after... every... fall.

Glory in His holy name ... (pause)

Great are You, Lord. Great is Your love, Your profound love. All praise, honor, glory, thanks, blessing, reverence, awe due Your name. Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb ... Amen.

Some encouragement