A Neat Opportunity

I have had the opportunity in recent weeks to become friends with someone who I don't think is a Christian. Before I even introduced myself, I started to think that God might be up to something. We will see. We have had several conversations and she never mentions church or anything like that. When I initially told her my husband was a minister, I got the "Oh, hmmm, OK" response. I shared where we went to church and what my husband does at the church and she didn't reciprocate her church information and I didn't ask. Not yet anyway.

Our children have played together a few times and Gene and I are planning on inviting the family over for dinner one night in the near future. I am excited to see what God does and hopefully He will use us to point this couple to Christ.

Just this morning in my Bible reading in 2 Corinthians, I came across two verses that really spoke to my heart about this very situation.

2 Cor. 2:14-15 (New American Standard)
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

2 Cor. 3:6 (New Living Translation)
"He has enabled us to be ministers of this new covenant..." The new covenant is in reference to faith in Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I want my life to count for the kingdom of God and sometimes, as a stay home mom, it is easy to start feeling like you aren't doing anything significant...even though I know in my heart that I certainly am.

This new relationship/opportunity has opened my eyes again to the truth that God wants to use me where ever I am. In my plain old ordinary day to day activities, I may come across someone who needs Jesus. I just have to be looking and sensitive to His leading.

According to the verses that I shared, my life should display the aroma of Christ, the sweet smelling fragrance that comes from knowing Him personally. I want this person to see Jesus in me...in my words, in my actions, in the way I speak to and discipline my children, and in my relationship with my husband. According to the second verse, I am as much a minister as my huband. Actually, all Christians have the same responsibility. I am called to look for those opportunities to share the gospel and be obedient when I sense Him leading me to open my mouth.

If you get a chance today, pray for me. Pray that this person will see Jesus in me and that I will have the right words to say when the opportunity comes to share my faith.

I also have another prayer request. A dear friend of mine and fellow staff wife at East Memorial, Beverly Easley has been battling breast cancer for years. She went into remission only to have the cancer return in January of this year. The chemo and treatment in Montgomery was not working and she was sent to a specialist in Birmingham yesterday. She was told that the cancer is spreading quickly and that they could not treat her. She was given a life expectancy that she has not shared at this time. She is a stay home mom to 8 precious children. My heart is breaking for them, and I just cried when I got off the phone after hearing that news. I cried going to sleep last night thinking about her pain and her family and what they all must be going through. We are praying for a miracle of healing. Please join me in praying for Beverly.

Also remember to pray for Gracen as our visit to Children's Hospital is quickly approaching.