Ministry, Work, Love, and Life

As i was feeling sorry for myself because The Neighborhood Connection project didn’t go well, I got a call.First, the details that made me upset:

It was snowing. It had snowed most of the night into this morning. The houses on my route were nicely decorated, obviously made to look cheerful for the holidays, to let the neighbors know that they were happy and joyful and full of the spirit. I had watched most of my neighbors spend days on decorating. As I was full of that feeling that you know you’re doing something great for others, I got rejection after rejection, until I reached the last house.

The last neighbor’s donation helped to soften the blow, but it still was upsetting that my labor was mostly in vain. And i was cold. I just read a chapter of a book that said “We tend to run away from pain in our lives, instead of letting God use the pain for His purpose.” I was determined not to let it get me down, to work thru it somehow. So I shoveled the driveway. Since I was there, I shoveled around the mailbox, trying to make it easier for the mailman and the neighbors to get to. Finally, some comfort. I would do something for them, regardless of their attitudes towards me or the church.

As I was shoveling, I realized that I had not yet purchased anything to donate, so how could I be so hard on them? My heart softened a little more. My brother called to move my niece’s birthday shin-dig back ’til tomorrow. One step back.  Had a nice conversation with the mailman, who is quite resemblant of Saint Nick, which is funny, cuz he bore the gift of a check. Two steps forward. So, I was just OK at that point.

Then, the call…

A lady that formerly attended my church calls to ask me to dog-sit for her over Christmas. For $125! It’s not the money, but it does help. The fact that I can actually see where my help is needed and do something about it is fantastic, plus she’s saving on kennel costs since she has two dogs.

Thank You, Lord, once again, for comforting me and blessing me. I have much that can’t be expressed in words, yet is screaming to be let out. I want to shout from the rooftops,”See, I am helpful, I am useful! God uses the foolish things to shame the wise.” Ahhh.

And now, a little story:

The gardener tells the rose of it’s beauty, the blushing of it’s petals , the sweet fragrance, the joy in watching it grow. The rose replies,”Yes, but all I see is the thorns. I long to be held and caressed, as my friends, the daisy and the sunflower.” “But, you are the most beautiful flower in the garden!”, replies the gardener.” All the other flowers want to be like you, treasured and precious.”

“And never touched” the rose says forlornly. “Those thorns are for your protection, that you will not be stripped of your beauty by any passing by, looking for a treat.”he says, trying to comfort his lovely friend. “Please, please, take them away, as only you know how.”" Then what will you have for protection?” the gardener asked. The reply came, soft and slow.”I…don’t…care.” So, the gardener did the only thing he could do.

He cut the rose, thorns and all, fashioning them into attachments, and he held the rose next to his heart for the rest of her days. The rose eventually withered, but she never felt more beautiful than when she was there.

I don’t know how I could write something so fitting to me right now. When everything else falls away, I am beautiful in God’s sight.