Blessings and Encouragement Along the Way

 

Last week was a hard week.  My husband has had some recent physical issues that needed addressing (still no diagnosis, we’re waiting to see how the treatment goes).  I had something going on – there was at least one migraine and then another that lasted more than one day, which may have actually been a bug of some sort.  We didn’t get to go to church fellowship at all because of various health hindrances.  I also had some struggles with my old flesh that were discouraging (Rom. 7:18-25).

But, my kind Lord blessed me in a very special way.  I received two letters and a package from ladies I know in Australia!  I met two of them online through my sister-in-law and the other through the blog or web page (though she also knows my s-i-l’s family).  Here are the lovely things I received:

Notice that all five verses on the various things are different.  Such a small thing, and yet it indicated the Lord’s attention to details in guiding their choices.  Also, that phrase from Isaiah 30:15 at the bottom of the card on the lower right is one of my favorite verses! …in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength… The two papers in the background give the definitions of our first and last names.  The letter on the right was printed on the back of such beautiful, cheerful paper!  What a great idea.  The lady who sent the card on the upper right also included some information that she thought might be helpful for one of my physical difficulties, and she wrote her short note on a separate piece of paper so that I can reuse the blank card!  Wasn’t that an nice touch?

One thing that made me feel very humble was to realize that the Lord had planned all this ahead of time for me, knowing that last week would be a hard week.  They all mailed their items before I “needed” them.  This was a real reminder to me of His faithfulness in caring for the smallest details of our lives – even when we aren’t faithful to Him always.  Now, I don’t always get some extra special blessing like this when I’m down or struggling, but our kind Father has a way of reminding us He is there and loves us and that He is FAITHFUL.  Sometimes I’m afraid we miss the reminders, but this was hard to miss. :-)

He's helping me now--this moment,
Though I may not see it or hear,
Perhaps by a friend far distant,
Perhaps by a stranger near,
Perhaps by a spoken message
Perhaps by the printed word;
In ways that I know and know not
I have the help of the Lord.

-- Annie Johnson Flint

Another thing that I can’t help noting is just how pleasant it is to get “real mail.”  It makes me happy that I’ve been encouraging just this type of behavior on the blog this year.  (See the January Challenge and February Challenge)  It makes me feel more motivated to pass on the love to someone else.  Mailing a letter or greeting card really doesn’t cost that much in the big scheme of things, but that kind touch may alter the whole course of someone’s day or week.  Remember the ripple affect.  One stone dropped in a pool can make ripples far from where the stone landed.  One kind deed done in Jesus’ name can spread joy and cheer in places you may never realize you could reach.  Let’s all be more diligent to do these small deeds of kindness – in Jesus’ name and for His glory!

Mark 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.