Sunday, January 21, 2007

At It Again!

  I can't believe it has been twenty days since I posted!!  Been working more.  Had a sick husband.  Have a teenage son who ties up the phone for hours.  So my PC time has been rather limited.  But today is slow and easy.  And today I have been reading and thinking again.  We all know what a dangerous combination that is! 

This is another joke from ArcaMax.  Hope it blesses you as it blessed me.

Useless in the Parking Lot

A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter.

When returning to her car she found that she had locked her keys in the car. She was in a hurry to get home to her sick daughter.

She didn't know what to do, so she called her home and told the baby sitter what had happened and that she did not know what to do. The baby sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse.

She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."

The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car.

Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."

So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.

The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful.

The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"

He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than one minute the car was opened.

She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank you so much! You are a very nice man."

The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."

The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"

 

Oh, sure, it's a joke.  But it's another prime example of how God really works.  This woman may have pictured in her mind as she prayed God sending a police car or a wrecker/lock service.  We all tend to pray with expectations of how God will/may answer.  And if we aren't careful, we'll limit the vastness of His response with our own prayers!  Or we will be so focused on looking for the answer we expect that we will won't see His response when it comes.

 

This woman is to be commended on both counts.  First, she prayed for help.  She didn't specify, qualify or limit the help in her prayer.  And secondly, when the help came, though surprised, she accepted it and recognized it for what it was.

 

As to the man....sounds as if he had no idea he was being used of God.  And many times we don't realize we are being used of God.  God is Lord over all.  The wicked.  The pure.  The lost.  The saved.  Some acknowledge Him and some don't....but that doesn't change the fact that He is Lord. 

 

The man didn't view himself as nice.  He didn't feel worthy.  Worthy of her praise.  Worthy to be used of God.  Are you like the man in some respect?  Do you doubt that God can use you?  Do you think you have done things that disqualify you from being used of God?  Think again! 

 

God knows where you have been and what you have done.  And like the man in the joke, even if you have done things that were wrong, sinful things, God can use you and your experience to help someone else.  No one knows better how to help someone out of a pit then one who has been in that pit.  Don't limit God's use of you!  God does work all things together for the good of those who love Him!


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16 comments:

  1. Ah, Barbara, how you hit it on the mark for me today, this cold and dreary Sunday, when I walked through my Sunday School class thinking it is definitely time for someone to take over my role as Sunday School Teacher.

    I've been teaching Sunday School for over ten years. Each year it becomes increasingly difficult for me to maintain the pace because my responsibilities and case loads at school have been increasing every year. Just this morning I told another SS teacher that I needed at least someone to back me up for days when I am sick or can't come in for other reasons, but ideally, I needed someone who could step in and take over my class until the end of the school year. She said she would mention it at tomorrow's Administrative Council meeting.

    Then, her son, who is in Divinity School to be a minister, was preaching. He had no idea of our conversation. He preached on the topic of doing what the Lord has called us to do. He said that sheep are smarter than we are because at least they listen to their master's voice!! He reminded us that we are being forged even now, and in the forging, we are made to do things we could never do alone. We are being prepared for a much more difficult challenge later on.

    I thought, who am I to back away from such a preparation? He told us not to hoard our talents, not to hide them away. We are to use what God has given us. The Lord called me into teaching. Perhaps this, then, is my forging? I have been in the pit... I know that place well. The image is very strong in my mind what that feels like. I repeat what you wrote here: Don't limit God's use of you!! Bea

    http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/entries/2007/01/21/akiane-is-she-for-real/1586

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  2. Love the story....have read it before...but still a good lesson...ask and ye shall receive..accept what is sent...don't judge God's ways...they are higher than anything we can imagine....I know...been there done that....I judged God...not a good thing to do....but He has mercy in abundance...and He welcomed me back home....LOL...Hugs from KY....Ora

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  3. Love this entry and what you wrote is so true! Good to finally have an entry from you too. Martha :-)

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  4. glad to see antoher entry from you.

    Kathy

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  5. A very good entry Barbara. Helen

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  6. I loved the story.  Nice to hear from you again.

                   Julie

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  7. I liked that little story. Paula

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  8. Great entry Barbara!  I like the way you always make me think- and sometimes it helps me to think better about myself in His eyes.  Glad you're back on (even if for a little while between phone calls!)  Hope Pete is feeling better!  Have a great week, and God Bless!  Love Carolyn :)

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  9. Wonderful entry, Barbara!  I am one that needs to ask simply for help instead of specifying~!  God knows what I need beter than I do!  God bless ~  Caroline  ~
    http://journals.aol.com/caromarls/ANewAdventure

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  10. This went along with our sermon yesterday...Thank you for sharing this Barbara. Glad to see you back on (even if only for a little bit)
    Michele
    http://journals.aol.com/glensfork4/these-are-my-thoughts/

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  11. This is oh so true, we ask God for help and then won't trust him with the details.
    Jenny <><

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  12. Dear barbara
    thank you for the lovely story and graphic! love,nat

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  13. What a wonderful story and a great lesson!
    Lori
    http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages

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  14.   BARBARA,
                       THAT ENTRY HAS A GOOD LESSON.
    WE HAVE MISSED YOUR ENTRIES. GOD WILL BLESS ALL WHOM WORSHIP JESUS.
                                                                                                         sam

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  15. I'm glad you're back:)  Hope all is well and healthy in your family.
    I like this "joke."  It is a great example, and your explanation was right on.   -- Robin

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  16. I have been in similar situations and it always amazes me who and how God choses to help answer my prayers.

    Terra

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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