Sweetened by the Spirit

That’s my good friend Carmen Pease wielding the Super Soaker. She is bright, energetic, fun, and a wonderful performer. Couple those traits with the fact that she is on our church staff and you have someone who is a natural for plays, skits, and Vacation Bible School. Like so many people in our fellowship at Messiah, she is alive in God’s Holy Spirit! The other day, I was on the phone with Carmen, and she asked me how things were going. My response is usually: “great!” But on this particular day, it was: “I’m having a challenging day.” Carmen immediately sent me the following in an email. Perhaps it will touch you, like it did me.

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Oh, by the way, thought I would share this with you. I don’t know your situation, but you said that your day has been challenging. I’m sorry.
From Barbara Johnson’s book, Pain is inevitable but misery is optional, So, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy!

“Nothing touches me that has not passed through the hands of my heavenly Father, NOTHING. Whatever occurs, God has sovereignly surveyed and approved. We may not know why (we may never know why), but we do know our pain is no accident to Him who guides our lives. He is in no way surprised by it all. Before it ever touches us, it passes through Him.

Not long ago, Bill and I were driving through Palm Springs, the famous desert resort community. We came upon a roadside stand, and the sign said, “DESERT SWEETENED GRAPEFRUIT.” I thought, that’s the way it is with all of us when we go through a desert experience. That’s the time God uses to sweeten us as we learn to give our problem completely to Him.”

I hope your week is sweeter when it’s done.

Carm

Carmen Pease
Messiah Lutheran Church
Equipping and Connecting Ministry

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And that’s my prayer for you for the week, too… that your week is sweeter when it’s done.
Your brother in Christ,

Dave