Day 17 of The Red Shoe Project. -- This evening, I found myself downtown, sporting my Red patent leather heals, (of course!), and decided to stop into a local cafe for quick bite to eat. I found a little table in the corner, reviewed the menu and placed my order. Before long, the server came out with my meal, and well… it wasn’t quite what I expected. I was a little disappointed. It just wasn’t what I was hoping for… craving for. Don't get me wrong, it was good… it just didn't quite meet my expectation.
Then
the Lord said to me…
I
noticed that you get disappointed when things don’t turn out the way you expect
them to. I’m going to tell you
right now --with me -- rarely are things going to turn out the way YOU expect
them to. That’s
because Your ways aren’t my ways.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
Regardless
of whether they are good or bad… expected or unexpected, you need to enjoy the situations that
present themselves to you each day.
TRUST that I will ultimately work everything out according to my
plan.
Like
right now, for example, You are disappointed about the meal. But from my perspective, this is the perfect opportunity to teach you more about My way of doing things.
I
wondered, “When I know you better, Lord, then will I know what to expect”?
Maybe,
he answered, but even then, there will always be surprises that you wont
anticipate.
He
reminded me of a time, years ago, when I invited everyone from our small church
to our home for a party. I told
them they didn’t need to bring anything… just themselves. In my heart, I wanted to just bless
them. They worked hard during the day, so I wanted them to be able to just come out and receive, without having to do anything in advance.
During this time, I had been watching one of these creative
craft - cooking- hospitality type shows… so I pulled together all sorts of great
festive foods and decorations for the evening. About an hour before the guests were to arrive, I was
finishing up a few last minute details and then had to quickly wash up and change
for the evening.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Who could that possibly be? An hour early? It was a new lady from the church. She stopped by to lend a helping hand. Really? Well, that wasn’t quite what I had expected. Everything was already done -- except one thing. I reluctantly brought her into the kitchen and took out a rectangular block of cheese and a box of crackers. I instructed her carefully on how to slice the cheese so that every slice was the same size as the others, and how to beautifully present it on the platter. Seemed simple enough. Anyone could do that. When that was done, we’d set it on the magnificently decorated holiday buffet table with all the other dishes. I left her to her task and quickly hurried off to change my clothes.
When I returned, she was standing there a little befuddled. I looked at the platter. The cheese slices were all different sizes and they were crumbling into broken pieces. Really? How could she not do this correctly? Well, ok… we’d just have to make the best of it. It wasn’t that important anyways. I placed the plate on the table, and began to greet the visitors.
Later on that evening, as my head hit the pillow, I was thinking of how great the evening had gone. Then God began to speak to me. It seemed His perspective was a little different from mine. Where My goal was having everything "just perfect," His goal was for this new woman to feel like she belonged to this church family, by giving her something to do of value.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Who could that possibly be? An hour early? It was a new lady from the church. She stopped by to lend a helping hand. Really? Well, that wasn’t quite what I had expected. Everything was already done -- except one thing. I reluctantly brought her into the kitchen and took out a rectangular block of cheese and a box of crackers. I instructed her carefully on how to slice the cheese so that every slice was the same size as the others, and how to beautifully present it on the platter. Seemed simple enough. Anyone could do that. When that was done, we’d set it on the magnificently decorated holiday buffet table with all the other dishes. I left her to her task and quickly hurried off to change my clothes.
When I returned, she was standing there a little befuddled. I looked at the platter. The cheese slices were all different sizes and they were crumbling into broken pieces. Really? How could she not do this correctly? Well, ok… we’d just have to make the best of it. It wasn’t that important anyways. I placed the plate on the table, and began to greet the visitors.
Later on that evening, as my head hit the pillow, I was thinking of how great the evening had gone. Then God began to speak to me. It seemed His perspective was a little different from mine. Where My goal was having everything "just perfect," His goal was for this new woman to feel like she belonged to this church family, by giving her something to do of value.
Oh... Oh no! I completely
missed the mark on that one! His
quiet rebuke filled my eyes with tears . I had grieved Him. --That was a tough lesson that I’ve never forgotten.
God continued,
Make
the most of everything! Know
that I have a plan that’s unfolding around you. It doesn’t matter if you understand the details of that
plan. Just know there is a plan.
"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."
Jeremiah 29:11
"And we know that in all things God works for the good..."
Romans 8:28
Trust that and Go
with the Flow with a Positive Attitude.
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit"
Galatians 5:25
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing..."
Philippians 2:14
You know... it's so much easier to work with someone who "goes with the flow" an has a Positive Attitude.
I thought that I was dining alone tonight, in my RED SHOES, at that little table for two, tucked away in the corner, of this cafe. But no... The Holy Spirit, The Great Teacher had decided to join me.
Gail
