Christmas Memory/Serving

Christmas Memory
Even though Christmas is far past, I was blessed to remember something that happened when I was working at Lifeway bookstore during the holiday season.  One evening a customer called in and asked if we had Michael W. Smith's Christmas cd.  The inventory said we had one, but I couldn't find it.  Turns out it was being played in the store; my manager said we could sell it, but of course, it would be used.  He was concerned that we'd have an unhappy customer.  And I was concerned that I'd have an unhappy customer and an unhappy manager.
But when the man who had called arrived at the store, my fears were put to rest.  He wore a red knit hat that had a Christmas greeting on it.  He also wore a big smile.  He bought some greeting cards and left the store without a cd.  But he didn't show even the slightest sign of disappointment; no one and nothing was going to take away this man's happiness.  This is what happens when Jesus moves in to the human heart.

Serving
I read about Jesus washing His disciples' feet.  Jesus said that we'd be blessed if we serve.  But I often have no sense of blessing when I serve; in fact, when I pick up other people's clutter, I tend to complain.  Today Jesus showed me that the blessing is in walking with Him.  As He said in John 12:26:  "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."  If I can see that Jesus is with me, leading me as I serve, and that our Father honors me even for the littlest tasks I do, then I am blessed, both by the fellowship with the Lord, and also by getting to know Him better.  When I think of Him leading me to the chores, I get excited about doing them with Him!

Treasure

At Theophostic training yesterday, we were practicing Theophostic prayer ministry, and I was being ministered to.  We were praying about my fear of being a bad person if I fail to meet impossible expectations.  When Jesus spoke to me, He told me that He made me good, and He gave me an awareness of the presence of His Spirit in me.  This "awareness" felt like the joy of being given the greatest and most precious gift, the kingdom of heaven within me (Matthew 13:44), Jesus within me (Luke 17:21).  I've been thinking about this, and I keep getting a mental picture of me as a bride in a white wedding dress, and King Jesus is my Bridegroom.  He is thrilled that I am His forever, and He throws His arms around me and holds me tight.  "The two shall become one...I speak concerning Christ and the church!" (Ephesians 5:31-32, exclamation point mine).  It doesn't get any better than this.