It is a week before Christmas, and we are still busy! This weekend was busy, and had some unexpected events too. One of our sons performed in the school Christmas play. He was able to choose his costume, and he chose a dinosaur suit with a red and white Santa hat. I believe he was the only dinosaur, so it was easy for me to pick him out on stage in the choir. Next year, he wants to have a speaking role. He had a speaking role in the church Christmas play, and I love that he WANTS to use his God-given talents to actively participate. I support his mission to always give glory to God, not himself. While driving him home from the school dance, he told me that he just wanted his friends to know Jesus. He did not want to get caught up in all of his 5th-grade friends' "drama", he just wanted them to get caught up in the Spirit.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17 (English Standard Version)
Our church hosted a concert by our good friends, The Texans/Lone Star Jubilee. They performed at our church last year. We usually have a reception or meal with them afterward. One of the members of the group told me about one of our church members praying for him to find a wife. At the time, he said that is NOT what he thought he needed or wanted in his life. Well, he showed up this weekend as a newlywed, and with us to all meet his bride! God heard our church member's prayers, and answered 'YES"! We may not know what we need, but God surely does.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
Last night after bible study at the church, I was driving some of the youth kids home in my vehicle. All four of my own kids were with me too. On the way to their house, the front hood of my SUV flew open! As I "calmly" pulled to the side of the road, the student riding in the passenger seat next to me got out to put the hood down. He also guided me to drive the car off the road to safety, since I couldn't see out the windshield. My oldest son jumped out of the car to help. We had a few flashlights, and these two 13-year-olds figured out why the hood wouldn't come down. My husband was in a meeting just 2 miles away, so I had to text him "Emergency!" He grabbed one of the other men at the meeting and they came to our rescue in just a few minutes. The hood was pried down without anyone getting hurt (my mind kept imagining someone losing a hand), and I was able to get everyone home safely. I was really proud of the young man who took the initiative to help. He was calm and really wanted to do the right thing. I told him how grateful I was for him. I know only some of the rough things he is currently going through, and I think he needed to hear that. He has been very discouraged lately. Scripture tells us to encourage one another. The kids told me they were praying for the car to be fixed. I was praying that we would be okay.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV)
