off my tongue:
"THANKS DAD!"
The other day, I looked at my big stack of books and chose one at random.
Riches Stored
in Secret Places,
by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.
"A Devotional Guide for
Those Who Hunger After
the Deep Things of God."
Sounds like a good book, right? Who knew that it contained such a powerful and timely message that would penetrate my heart?
Reading this book is easy. The font size is nice and the chapters are short. Even so, I am still -- after three days -- in chapter one. I can't stop reading and re-reading the first three pages. LOL! They are so specific to where I am right now, I feel like I've hit a gold mine. The key scripture is found in
1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God has
prepared for those who love him --
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit."
It's no secret to my "Rubies" that my biggest challenge this year has been living by faith. God has spent the last nine months, unwinding my mindset of the world's perspective on finances, and teaching me great and mighty things. Knowledge, however, is nothing if it can't be applied!
Thereby, God has personally enrolled me in His Internship Program
so that I can get true hands on experience. Thus:
Living by Faith.
Let me share what Ms. Dean says that has grabbed ahold of me so profoundly... (It's found on page 11.)
"When I was a college student, I didn't pay my own bills. My dad paid them. Once I dropped a bill in the mail to him, I never worried about it. In my mind, it became his bill immediately. I cast all my debts on Dad and left them there. Why? Because he had promised to pay my bills, I knew that he had everything I needed available for me and with my best interest at heart, he always released it on my behalf when I asked."
I'm not going to get stuck on the fact that it took nine months of unwinding and preparing my heart and mind before Dad put this book in my hands. I'm just eager to devour it, believing already that just as it's title declares, it contains, Riches Stored in Secret Places. I don't know if you understand the challenge of Living by Faith, but finally I am on the brink of discovery! Hallelujah!
And by the way... Today was another day of reaping the harvest field! A few months ago, God instructed me to take a gift to someone. When I asked what I could possibly give this woman, He instructed me to give her my favorite prayer book. It was an old, old copy of John Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer. Worn out, the book wasn't much to look at, but I treasured it all the same, for the words within it were precious to me. Today, while browsing in the local used book store, I found another copy of this rare book -- $2.99 -- and in very good condition! THANK YOU DAD!
When I got back home, a message awaited me on my phone. Some friends invited to come by. Little did I know that they would lavish me with dinner, a delightful time of uplifting conversation, and an array of gifts, which included a financial blessing that is a true answer to prayer. GOD IS GOOD!
I don't like to talk about such matters regarding finances, however, you have been praying and believing with me, all this time. The harvest has arrived and it is only right that you be blessed along with me in knowing that God is, in fact, faithful. With that said, I will continue to report this good news!
Lovingly,
Your gal in Red shoes,
Gail
