Pennies From Heaven

Sunday’s Monday

I have had an educational week as it has been filled with a ton of things directed by God. Friends that help me to stay on track with little reminders, new acquaintances such as I made at the Man Church Meeting of Highland Baptist Church and family of which I helped my daughter at Sugar Loaf Elementary on Saturday. God arranged these and a lot more. Thank you, Lord!

This was my week to learn appreciation for the little things. But first God is showing me how to see those little happenings that usually go un-noticed in my day to day living. Little things that have become expected and usually excused as luck, for example finding a penny (luck or blessing) or getting that great parking space at the mall (luck or blessing). Standing in a long line at a check out register (luck or blessing) or being cut off in heavy traffic (luck or blessing). Remember, James 1:12 ESV, blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Little things that I fail to recognize, such as opportunities, divine appointments and a host of others. Bear with me as I am reminded of an important event that actually happened “to me.” Twenty years ago, I was respectfully shut down and politely corrected as my ego was smashed into the ground in a very professional way by an emergency room nurse. I had an accident involving a ladder, a tree limb and an invincible mister fix it (me). To make a long story short; the ladder fell out of the tree, I jumped and landed wrong breaking my ankle. My wife (bless her) wrestled me up off the ground and demanded that I go to the hospital. I resisted for a (short) while, but the pain won out and we went to Catawba Valley Medical ER. After we finished all the red tape and I was called to the examination room, a doctor came in and said the ankle would have to be x-rayed. Once the doctor read the x-ray he came in to say that I had a fracture and that made me angry. I don’t know why but I was furious! I couldn’t hold my tongue, I was cussing, complaining, whining and acting like a five-year-old, declaring that I was 49 years old and had never had a broken bone and now this happens. During all this a little nurse (whom witnessed my childish behavior) spoke up to say, “I don’t blame you a bit Mr. Loftin, I would be upset to if God had blessed me with 49 nine years of life without a broken bone. We see so many children today that have broken bones before the age of 6 and most are a lot more serious than yours. I would be boasting about God’s favor myself, if He had blessed me with such a record.” My words froze in my throat, my mind shut down and my ego died (for a moment!) That nurse just made an earth-shattering impact on my life and didn’t even know me. She was just doing what came natural to her in serving God through her daily life. I never knew the nurses name, never said thank you, I did nothing to give away the fact that I had been changed by her kindness, but God knows her, and you can bet that I am not the only one she has helped during her life. Even though I can’t give her name I’ve told this story hundreds of times over the years and God always gets the glory. The moral that I got from this God ordained event, is this nurse didn’t come to work to take from her patients, she came to give what God had given her. Life’s not about what I can get out of it, it’s about what I can pour into it. Just as the nurse poured God’s kindness, comfort and wisdom into me, so should I repeat to all that I meet. Romans 8:28 ESV, and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. I missed an opportunity to thank God and the nurse for the blessing. The broken bone was a good thing because I learned a divine lesson and was humbled in the process. I am also learning the true miracle of blessings whether given or received. No matter if large or small a blessing has the ability to bring a humbling joy upon both. I am so thankful for John 1:16 ESV, and from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. I pray we all find our pennies from God this week and thank Him for them.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS WELCOME…pal249@hotmail.com…08/12/2018