Tag: give

food for thought

Karla Lees

There have been two occasions where people specifically listened to God and acted upon it, where the result ended up with my family being fed.

When our children were quite small, circumstances left us tighter than usual for money with sick (a la chicken pox) children at home.  With about $50 to our name, we didn’t know where our next week’s meals were going to come from. It was Christmas. We didn’t know what exactly to do, nor shared this fact wih anyone else.

But God knew, and prompted two couples we had briefly met at our last night, their first, with our small group in early September, to do something about our lack.

Imagine our surprise when we got the knock on the door and not only did we have a full turkey & all the sides Christmas dinner, but enough money for groceries for the next week!

We had barely enough time to register our need before God met it through obedient followers.

The week before last, hubby had a procedure which required him to take a few days off work (unpaid) and I too needed to adjust my schedule to drive him to several appointments. We had faith it would all work out, but no idea how it was going to.

Last week, all our needs were covered. I just realized yesterday that we wouldn’t have enough to cover our bills and groceries for next week. I briefly prayed and reminded God He said He would provide.

Tonight, we were handed a cheque from someone who anonymously donated the exact amount of our grocery bill each week!

Here is the clincher: In order for us to have received the cheque tonight, they needed to donate it 10 days ago.

God prompted listening hearts, who acted upon the impulse they heard.

Because of them, we are not going without next week.

Now I could have pulled out a credit card and made sure we ate. But God knows how much I want to be debt free wherever possible, and so answered me in such a way I knew He heard my specific prayers.

His people tuned in and acting upon His clear direction can change the world, one need, one life, one family at a time.

The next time God prompts you to do something for someone you don’t quite understand why?

Do it.

Exactly the way He leads you to.

You too may be the answer to someone’s prayer.

You too may be the way He is going to meet their need.

I used to be embarrassed about talking about the first story, but I realized that was the enemy trying to squelch the testimony of how God provided for us through the Body.

Maybe you too are like us and it wasn’t the fact that you blew your money, but an unexpected health concern, car or home repair which just kinda popped up without warning.

I realize that this is part of how the widow’s oil and flour didn’t run out.
Because God moved through His people (Elijah) to provide (the widow) for the need.

Jesus did the same with one basket of fish and loaves.

Miracles still happen today when God is able to move on obedient listeners to provide for the needs He has designed them to meet. They could be basic needs, such as food or clothing. Paying off a hydro or gas bill. Giving a gas card or bus pass. Buying a plane ticket for someone called to go. Praying for the sick. Babysitting for a single mom or pet sitting a family in crisis. An encouraging word or card.

Whatever it is, God can use you to make a miracle happen when we follow as He leads, and give as He directs.

The underlying why to all He does? His love for us.

When we act upon the prompts Holy Spirit gives us to lend a hand, He involves us in demonstrating that love to the receiver.

Food for thought, isn’t it?!

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let it flow

Karla Lees

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Five years ago, I hit a bit of a harder patch than ever before. Injuries, illnesses & secrets revealed combined in an attempt to soak me dry to the bone.

Without God, the enemy would have succeeded in fully leaching the life out of me.

As it is, God held me even closer, spoke to me more clearly, and poured life into me, each & every day.

He keeps doing so with each new today.

The hardest part for me each year seemed to always hit around my birthday.

And quite frankly, without God, my kids & my best friends, there wouldn’t have been anything worth celebrating.

My hubby, post two major surgeries without full resolution of all his problems, got some good news this week. They may know what is causing his last plaguing symptom.

I ended up with an unexpected tax bill this month, which slapped me silly for a few hours before I could hear God whisper, “I got this. I told you breakthrough is coming.”

Hubby got one of his best tax refunds back within 6 days of filing. Which more than covered my bill, the two main needs we have needing repair, and knocking off 1/4 of our debt.

Numbers don’t mean that much to me. Relationship is more important, and always will be.

But the weight I was still carrying over our finances was quite a load, and God told me this week its His to carry, so hand it over & stop taking it back. He set me free.

So far this past 48 hours, God has been knocking my socks off with an outpour of blessing I have not been expecting, but am so grateful for.

My hubby, daughter & son all amped up and blew me away with their gifts of love, and time.

My besties rocked me again with blessings wrapped in laughter & care. They have kept me close through the rocky days, and loved me as I needed to be loved all the way. My chicks, my heart sister gifts God knew I would need in my life? Abundant blessings, each one.

My coworkers sang me happy birthday, and threw me an apple themed party (apple crumble, apple coffee cake, sour apple can’t & apple danish!).

My parents are taking us all out to dinner tonight, and have been so supportive to us all over this past long haul that tears well up from thinking about their love shown in action.

What I have learned, and celebrate today?

I have always had blessings growing around me, because of His handiwork.

He has been the giver and keeper of my life.

He is the Water I need to drink in every day, to keep life flowing in my spirit.

He is the Word I crave daily, to fill me up and direct me how to life & get to know Him more.

The garden of my life will never run dry when I choose to ask the Gardener to keep pouring Himself into it. The pruning, uprooting and straightening out that occurs under the Gardener’s hand may be painful, the pests attack may try to permanently damage, but I celebrate the Life Giver has me.

Not just my back.
He’s fully got me.

And so, even when the bad days try to gray out all the Son, I can still water my garden, with His love, grace and mercy, and hope for the new day’s blessings to come, as He has planned for me!

Every day, not just our birthdays or anniversaries are worth celebrating! So pull out your nice dishes, fave tea cup, recipe you save for a special occasion.

Jesus has you.

Worth celebrating every moment of every day!

Don’t forget to allow Him to water your garden daily. Keep your eyes on the new growth each season. Let Him bring to life a new you as you sink deeper into Him.

be kind

Karla Lees

There are many kinds of people out there in this world.

Not all of them are kind.

You too may have brushed up against one, have one in your family, or work with one.

Sometimes they don’t know any better, because they have not been shown much kindness in their lives.

Sometimes they know they are being unkind, and they don’t care about the explosive hurt they hurl at those they come across.

What are you & I to do when someone we know, or meet, is unkind to us?

Be kind.

Hurt people do hurtful things, and hurl hurtful words.

That is their choice.

Our choice is to show them the better way. To walk in the kindness of Jesus, and be kind.

For our actions reflect our choices, not those of others when we remain in control of our emotions & decisions.

“Why should I be kind?” my daughter asked me years ago when she had been picked on at school.

I told her, “You being kind lets people know who you are. Do you want to be known as mean, or kind?”

Today, she is one of the kindness women I know. Kids flock to her because they can sense her genuine kindness and care for them. Her path has not been easy, but she has always responded with kindness to the obstacles she has faced.

Because she too knows the One who is the most kind, who helps us show kindness in the face of opposition.

The One who was so kind, He chose to take everyone’s sins on the cross, even those of His enemies.

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The One who went to the cross because of His great love for us all.

The One who offers this love at all times to all people, always.

Such kindness the world had never quite experienced before the cross, not since.

We don’t end up where we were headed because of His kindness.

We were headed for the pit,
now we get to sit at His banquet!

Beloved of God.

I would say that is the beat example of kindness I could imagine. Showing love & care to all, regardless of their response.

If God could show such radical kindness to the whole world, I believe He can help us be kind to the people we come across each day….we only need ask for His help to see them as He does- those desperate for a kind & loving God.

Is it easy to be kind?
Not always.
Some times it is a sacrifice of obedience, showing kindness to someone whose words or actions cause our stomachs to roll or our teeth to clench.

But knowing Jesus, the kindest man I have ever met. The One who doesn’t hold my mistakes against me and always gives me a second Chance when I genuinely ask for one?

How could I not share the kindness He has shown me?

unforced rhythms of grace

Karla Lees

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Its time.

Actually, like that library book you misplaced in public school & found a decade later, it is waaaaay overdue.

Its time to learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

Not the have to do’s, because we all somehow seem to know this from a young age.

Not the we shouldn’t do’s, which again, we figure out before we even begin to walk, some of us!

The how to not do, and just go with the flow.

I am a flow-er who has become drowned in the river of doing.

Its time to be.

Matthew 11:28-30 (the Message) reminds us how we can do so:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me––watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill–fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I walked down a busier street than normal this week, and needed to be reminded of the detour sign to take me back to the riverbank, beside the pasture He is calling me to rest at.

To spend time with God, not watching the clock, but staying sensitive to where the Spirit is leading me.

To wear the garb of grace Jesus offers and the Father custom designed  for me.

To lay down the burdens and worries and anxieties and lone wolf ness to walk with Jesus, in His company, with Him being the only one I hold onto for dear life.

To be the me God designed.

Learning the unforced rhythm of grace requires understanding the grace you have been shown, the One who offered it freely, and offering it to all you encounter.

Grace offered.
Grace received.
The unforced rhythm, ebb & flow, of grace.

give unto..

Karla Lees

Taxes.

Our yearly sweat boiled down into one document submitted to our government, sometimes with tears.

And most of us moan, groan and complain about it.

Yet Jesus took a different tactic:
They sent some Pharisees and followers of Herod to bait him, hoping to catch him saying something incriminating. They came up and said, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don’t pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
He knew it was a trick question, and said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it.” They handed him one.
“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
“Caesar,” they said.
Jesus said, “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
Their mouths hung open, speechless.
Mark 12:13-17 (MSG)

Much as we grumble and don’t like, most of us, having to pay taxes, the government system was the one we chose. We asked God for kings, and the result is we got what we asked for. People are imperfect, and full of bureaucracy.

But God placed our government, the men and women serving their communities & country. God gave us jobs to help provide for us.

The result? We owe it all to God, the giver of all good things.

And before you wonder, having work is a good thing…just ask someone having a hard time finding a job and making ends meet.

Yet God, through these verses showing us a snippet in the life of Jesus, tells us to pay the government what it is due. And that means taxes: property, municipal and federal.

It also means we need to get it done.

Don’t put it off because you don’t want to put in the work needed, or because you owe money. File on time, figure out how to best pay what you owe if you owe, and plan ahead so you are ready for next year.

If you are fortunate, you get a refund.
Another way God can sometimes surprisingly provide for us.

I have two part time jobs, and recently started doing some freelance from home. I pay tax every pay cheque all year round to the part time jobs, which helps to cover what I might owe for the freelance work. An accountant made that suggestion, which means I would hopefully owe less at income tax time.

There was another time when Jesus made a public point with Peter to pay His taxes:
When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?”
Peter said, “Of course.”
But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?”
He answered, “His subjects.”
Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”
Matthew 17:24-27 (MSG)

Jesus made a point, even though He was God’s son, and owns everything, to pay the taxes He owed while He was here on earth. He clearly demonstrated that we are to give those in authority over us what they are due, our taxes.

Whether we like their behavior or not.

Jesus clearly had issues with the religious and political leaders in His day. However, He gave his taxes to both support the temple He went to and the community/country He lived in.

The heart of the matter? Give out of obedience and thankfulness to God, the giver of all we have and are.

Give unto Caesar what is his (our taxes) and give unto God what is His (everything, but especially our praise, worship and gratitude).

Ask Jesus to help us with our finances and spend them as He leads helps us give our money where He has  intends for it to go.

May our attitude be like His.
Without complaint, He gave when He was asked to.

The ultimate sacrifice for us all.

If sin was a tax, it took its toll in full out on Jesus. For me, for you.

And He never complained.
He did it out of love for us.

Now, you may not love your government or paying taxes, but if you love God, we need to leave our complaints aside and pay our taxes out of the great love we have for Him.

For He gave it all.

And He paid for everyone, even the tax collectors or the local politician whom we find embarrassing.

Give to the government what it is due, and give to God all He is due.

Words to remember as our deadline for getting our taxes done draws closer.

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