by MeredithNMills | Sep 23, 2016 | Family, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Victorious Living, Walking by Faith
by Meredith Mills @DazzledByTheSon
Don’t you just love rainy days?
rainy days
There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a cup of tea on a dark and rainy day. So cozy and comfortable. Ahh…I love rainy days.
Unless I have to run errands. With three kids in tow. Of those rainy days, I am not a fan.
Yesterday, I had a list of several places to go in a short window of time. I was a bit uptight and stressed. So when it started raining on the way to Walmart, my heart sank. And of course, there are never close parking spaces on rainy days. Seriously, they should have designated parking places for moms with more than one tagalong.
We grabbed our single umbrella and climbed out of the car. Gathering my little people close, we walked toward the store.
“Do you need an umbrella?” I turned toward the voice to see an older woman standing beside the open door of her car. She had a pleasant expression on her face as she offered us a bright yellow umbrella.
“Oh, I think we’re fine,” I replied.
“Are you sure? I have a sort-of ‘umbrella ministry,’” she said with a smile.
rainy days
I returned the smile, not quite sure what to say. I’d never heard of an “umbrella ministry” before. While I hesitated, she walked over and handed us her yellow umbrella, then returned to her car. “God bless you,” she said warmly.
We thanked her, opened the umbrella and again walked toward the entrance.
This unusual encounter made quite an impression on my heart. Such a small act of kindness, yet so very thoughtful.
I bet the “umbrella ministry” is not included on a list of outreaches on any local church bulletins. She probably doesn’t consider herself to be a missionary. I wonder how many people even know of her ministry?
And yet this generous woman is a vital member of the Body of Christ, lovingly meeting needs in creative ways as God leads. She was a beautiful reminder to me of how “outside my box” God is.
He has important work to do through each of His own in advancing His kingdom. We’ve all been given various gifts and callings, as well as different opportunities in differing seasons. Sometimes our “ministry” will look just like what we’ve imagined. Other times it may seem small or insignificant.
But whatever we do in the name of Jesus is beautiful and meaningful and precious to God. As we walk close to Him, humbly following His lead, He lives out His heart through us.
How about you? Do you ever wonder if your life makes a difference, if God could possibly be pleased with how “daily” your life is?
Be faithful, my friend. Walk with Him. Listen to His voice. Do whatever He leads you to do – whether it seems significant or not.
in Jesus’ name
Has anyone ever ministered to you in an unexpected way? I’d love to hear!
Related Posts:
Redefining Success, Pt 1
Redefining Success, Pt 2
When I’m not Enough
by MeredithNMills | Aug 12, 2016 | Hope in the Midst of Heartache, Uncategorized, Walking by Faith
It came out of nowhere, that unidentified flying creature.
Something flew out of the darkness
Out of the dark, into my personal space, it hit me on the shoulder and bounced off before flying back into the night. I ducked and ran for the car, then sat stunned in the passenger seat. I tried to slow my breathing and calm my racing heart.
What had just happened?
I replayed the 30-second escapade in my mind’s eye. Hubby and I were on our way to catch a late-night movie. He had walked out of the house first, then ducked suddenly when something brushed his face as it flew by. He was slightly shaken – it’s unnerving to collide with something in the dark. But it was gone. We were fine.
Then, as I walked toward the car, I encountered the…thing.
It was creepy. Startling. Unsettling.
The unidentified flying creature flew at me from the darkness.
We decided it must have been a bat. (I shuttered as I typed that!)
That crazy, short-lived event reminds me of life in general. Sometimes we’re blindsided by unexplainable events, sidelined by a change of circumstances, or frightened by things outside of our control.
It’s easy to become fearful, discouraged or bitter when life doesn’t turn out how we hoped.
That’s why I’m grateful that our God is a Rock – both to anchor my feet when everything else is shifting unpredictably, and to be a hiding place for my soul when life’s storms threaten to engulf me. I love the following verse:
“And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is (our) treasure” (Is 33:6).
Life is unstable. But God never changes.
The One we call Father is the same God who was faithful to Abraham. The same God who did wonders through Moses. The same God who wove goodness into the tragic events of Joseph’s life.
He was David’s Protector, Solomon’s Wisdom, Elijah’s Provider, Daniel’s Strength.
He is still the Way, the Truth, the Life, Living Water, Hope for the hurting, Healer to the broken.
His grace was enough for Paul, and it’s just as sufficient today.
Our unchanging Rock
I’m so grateful for a God who remains the same through all the changes of my life.
How about you? How does God’s eternal nature give you hope and courage? I’d love to hear! Please join the conversation!
by MeredithNMills | Jul 22, 2016 | Family, Hope in the Midst of Heartache, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Walking by Faith
A frantic scream broke the afternoon stillness. I immediately tried to diagnose the sound – my littlest was either angry or hurt. Following the direction of the crying, I found her in her daddy’s arms. He was carrying her toward the bathroom where he would wash and dress the cut she’d received when her foot was under the door she tried to close.
She was crying hysterically, writhing against the strong arms that held her.
She was in pain.
She was mad.
She was afraid.
She didn’t want to be carried by the “doctor.” She didn’t want him to clean it. And she certainly didn’t want a Band-Aid. (Unlike most kids, she seems to think Band-Aids contribute to her pain.)
But despite her efforts to resist, her daddy did what was best for her. He cleaned and doctored the little cut, all the while assuring her of his love.
After she calmed down, we had a heart-to-heart talk. I asked her the following questions –
“Do you trust your daddy? Does Daddy take good care of you? Does he love you? Protect you? Want the best for you?” She answered yes to each question, slowly realizing that her daddy’s actions had come from his love for her.
As we talked, I was struck by how very much this child is like her mother. I often respond to my heavenly Daddy in similar ways.
I get angry when life hurts, as if the pains of this human existence are His fault.
I sometimes pull away when He draws me close for comfort.
I doubt His intentions – His love and His goodness.
I’m afraid of His efforts to cleanse, heal and protect.
I want to leave the pain alone, instead of submitting to His cleaning, healing hands.
As a mother, I saw my baby girl’s situation so clearly – her daddy loves her and would do what was best for her, not matter how she fought him. And yet it could have been a moment of tender comfort and affection, if she had trusted her daddy’s heart.
As a follower of Jesus, I want to trust His heart.
It’s a matter of faith.
“…I took them up in My arms. But they did not realize I was the one who took care of them. I led them with kindness and love. I was to them like a person who lifts a little child to their cheek. I bent down and fed them” (Hosea 11:3-4).
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17).
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer 29:11).
The One who takes care with kindness and love.
He is a good, good Father. His intentions toward us are kind (see Eph 1). He heals and gives restoration. He brings beauty out of ashes. He creates mosaic masterpieces out of broken, shattered lives.
All He does is good.
I want to trust Him. I choose to trust Him. Will you?
How do you remind your heart of truth when doubts flood your soul? Do you have a favorite Bible verse that comforts and reassures you in times of pain? Please join the conversation! I’d love to hear!
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I Quit!
by MeredithNMills | May 7, 2016 | Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Walking by Faith
I never understood, until I looked into their eyes.
Waiting to be loved
There are always children waiting to be adopted. But we don’t need to adopt, because we have our own kids.
Seriously, that’s how I used to think. I’m ashamed to admit that, but it’s true.
My mindset changed, however, when I went to Bangkok and looked into the eyes of needy children, abused children, vulnerable children. And I realized, adoption isn’t about the wants or needs of a parent. It’s about welcoming a child into your heart and home and lavishing love on them. Through adoption a child gets a new life, a new identity, a new family. They gain an advocate – someone to look after and provide for them. They receive a relationship with the parent who has chosen to love and accept them.
I find great joy in knowing that God has done this for me.
“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure” Eph 1:5.
He didn’t need me, as if the Self-sufficient One could be in need. But He wanted me. He longed to pour out His love on this needy soul, to take me “under His wing” and provide for me, to bestow on me a new name and a heavenly inheritance.
He chose me and I became His treasured daughter.
On the day of my adoption, everything changed. All my sins, which I wore like filthy rags, were taken away. He gave me a new heart. I was washed clean and clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. He made me fit to be His child and granted me direct access to His heart. He made me part of His worldwide family and He Himself came to dwell in me through His Holy Spirit.
I am safe now. Safe in the care of the Father who loves me. And so are you, fellow Jesus-follower!
I’m adopted!
What facet of your adoption into His family is most precious to you and why? Please join the conversation– I’d love to hear from you!
Related Posts:
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Nothing to Prove
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Don’t take my word for it! Check out these verses: 2 Cor 5:21, 6:18; Gal 4:5-6; Eph 1:4-5; Heb 10:17-22
by MeredithNMills | May 2, 2016 | Uncategorized, Walking by Faith
Knowing God – is it possible?
We Christians talk about it all the time. It’s the crux of our faith, of surpassingly great value, worth the loss of all earthly gain. It was the cry of Paul’s heart (Phil 3:10). It’s to be the source of our boasting (Jer 9:23).
And yet…it’s an enormous pursuit. How can we know Someone who extends endlessly beyond the limits of human knowledge? How can we understand the Creator of the human mind?
God never fits in my neat little boxes.
How can we define the God who never fits in our neat little “boxes”?
While it’s impossible to fully comprehend Him, He has made it possible to know Him.
The revelation of God is all around us. The heavens declare His glory and righteousness (Ps 97:6). His invisible attributes are made manifest in creation (Rom 1:20). But if His self-revelation had stopped there, we might draw the inaccurate conclusion that this all-powerful Creator is aloof, disinterested in the work of His hands.
And so, God drew near.
From the beginning, He has sought to be close to His creation. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen 3:8). He was friends with Abraham (Jas 2:23). He talked face to face with Moses (Deut 34:10). He dwelt among Israel through His presence in the tabernacle and temple.
And then, with unprecedented clarity, He stepped onto the earthly scene as One of us. He lived and breathed and talked and sang and cried and laughed. He taught and listened, grieved and celebrated, healed and forgave. He became human so that humanity might truly know Him.
In Jesus, we see the invisible God. He is Emmanuel – God with us.
He came to break down the wall that prevents our nearness with God. What Adam and Eve enjoyed before sin, He came to restore. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sin. Through His resurrection, He made new life possible. Through faith in Him, we can once again be close to God..
It is this Jesus, our Emmanuel, who calls us friends (Jn 15:14-15). He invites us into ever deepening friendship with Him (Ps 25:14). He has given us complete and bold access to His presence (Heb 4:16).
God’s nearness is my good.
Nearness with God – it’s what we were made for. Are you experiencing it?
How have you seen “the nearness of God” as good in your life? In what ways have you experienced Him drawing you near?
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