Blonde moments turned God moments

My daughters and I recently visited my new favorite eatery, McAlister's. It's a new place for us, so ordering took quite a while as we looked over the menu with the help of our super gracious cashier. As it neared time to pay, blonde moment #1 occurred.

I realized my little byTavi pouch that holds my debit card, driver's license, etc. was not in my byTavi purse (yes, I love byTavi). But my point is: no money. I had used my card online earlier and forgot to put the pouch back in. As I fumbled through my purse to make sure, I noticed my checkbook and feebly asked if they take a check. A manager was walking by and said, "No." I sadly looked at the girls and said, "Well, okay..." when the manager said, "It's on us."

Honestly, I was so surprised I got all teary-eyed and almost cried. It was so kind and unexpected and I told them so. What a great God moment! This really is my new favorite restaurant!

As my daughters and I happily feasted on our yummy, free meals, a thought popped into my mind. Cash. I have cash in an envelope in my purse. Blonde moment #2! So as I finished eating, I asked God to use this money as he saw fit.

While waiting in line again to speak with the same cashier and manager, I wondered if I should offer the money to the women who were ordering from our cashier. ... "No, wait." So the ladies finished their order and it was my turn. But our cashier immediately walked away and began talking to a couple at the end of the counter. As I happily waited by her register, I began to hear bits and pieces of their conversation and I realized ... That couple goes to my church. The cashier's friend is in dire financial straits and needs help. Oh Lord, I know it's a small amount of money, but that's who is supposed to have it.

After a brief conversation and with the manager's approval, that is exactly where the money went. And the cashier was now the one crying with joy.

What a great, personal, mighty God we serve. He reaches down and blesses us when we cannot provide for ourselves - through a free meal, yes - but moreover through the death and resurrection of his Son. And then he even provides us with the means and desire to turn around and bless someone else. I pray more than anything for the cashier and her friend - and who knows who else - to see the BIG LOVE God has for them in that little amount of cash. I'm confident my blonde moments were part of God's plan to show Himself all along.

McAlister's is great, but with God is hands down my all-time favorite place to be. There is NONE like him.

Something new

I've noticed something about Jesus that overwhelms me, and I do mean overwhelms me.

Every time I go into a spiritual battle to be rid of something that prevents me from walking in his freedom, I come away from the battle with something new. BONUS!

Example #1: I fought hard for nearly a decade to overcome the guilt and shame of my past. And yes, Jesus was there all along feeding me a steady diet of truth. But it was a process of healing; and that process yielded immeasurably greater results and intimacy with my Savior than if I had been instantly set free.

BONUS: My focus during those years was on being rid of my "cloak of shame." It never occurred to me this cloak would be replaced with something new. BUT IT WAS! Jesus took my guilt away and gave me a robe of righteousness. He replaced my shame with dignity and honor.

Example #2: For the past year or so, I've been battling the paralyzing sin of fear. Most notably, a fear of speaking and "putting myself out there," which I know is what God has called me to do for him! (A week ago, I could not have made that declaration to you, out of fear.) This past week, I attended the Christian Communicators Conference in Asheville, NC, and had such an amazing encounter with Jesus that I will never be the same. He defeated my fear in one fell swoop.

BONUS: My focus, once again, was on being rid of my fear. It never occurred to me that my paralyzing fear would be replaced with something new. BUT IT WAS! Jesus defeated my fear and filled me a bold excitement, an overflowing JOY, at the thought of sharing his goodness with others.

Maybe to everyone else this is just common knowledge, but it's thrilling to me. Imagine having something stinky and rotting in your fridge, but you can't figure out the source. You scrub and clean and throw things out until eventually the culprit is revealed. You see the rotten item that is causing the stink, carry it out to the trash, and rid your home of it once and for all. Mission accomplished, right?!

BONUS: You walk back in and are greeted by a breathtaking aroma. It's so refreshing and pleasant; and completely unexpected. Where did THAT come from?

That's what Jesus does in us. While we are merely satisfied to be rid of our trash; Jesus goes above and beyond by replacing our stinky mess with something new, something pure, something beautiful. All glory to him! What a Savior!

I'd love to hear the 'something new' he has given to YOU.