Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Turtle Tuesdays: Out of the Box!

Meet B, the messenger turtle. She is not a big part of the story today. Actually she never is: ) She is truly just a reporter, sharing the things she has seen and heard from God. B felt compelled to share this good news story with you.

Four homeless men came to our worship service at Flounders Restaurant on Pensacola Beach Sunday. The problem was they arrived a tad late. They overslept and the service had already ended. I recognized one of them immediately as he removed his sunglasses. Sean had attended our services earlier in the summer. Several people offered them water and snacks. I decided to stop what I was doing and visit with them.

While we were talking, an image of this shoe box flashed across my mind. My friend Laura had given me a brand new pair of running shoes to share with someone in need. I had passed out lots of school clothes in the Village a few weeks ago where I serve, but I held on to this box. I felt these shoes were supposed to go to someone homeless. I inquired about their shoe sizes. Sean was the 'Cinderella' in this story. The shoes would fit him!

When I returned from my car with the shoe box in hand, Sean and his friend were at a table crying. "What's wrong?" I asked. They had a story to tell B. Sean had thrown away his old worn out tennis shoes before they came to our worship service. These homeless men realized God wasted no time providing new shoes for him. I was floored hearing this and so were they. B'ing a good reporter, I realized there was MORE to this shoe story.

"Sean " I stated, "God is after you! You better let Him catch you, because you can't outrun Him!" He hugged me with tears stinging his eyes. You see, Sean did not really miss the message by b'ing late on Sunday. God spoke to him 'out of the box'. Sean knew it too. I believe the Lord was smiling the whole time. God gave Sean some running shoes in case he wants to run from His plans for his life, knowing they will never be fast enough. God has not finished His story with Sean. I pray one day B, the messenger turtle can share the rest of his story.

Sean's story reminds me of this truth. We can run but we cannot hide! He sees and knows ALL.

God, investigate my life; get all the facts
firsthand. I'm an open book to
you;even from a distance, you know what I'm
thinking. You know when I leave
and when I get back;I'm never out of your
sight. You know everything I'm
going to say before I start the first
sentence. I look behind me and you're
there,then up ahead and you're
there, too — your reassuring presence, coming
and going. This is too much,
too wonderful — I can't take it all in! Is
there anyplace I can go to
avoid your Spirit?to be out of your sight? If I
climb to the sky, you're
there!If I go underground, you're there! If I flew
on morning's wings to
the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute —
you're already there
waiting! (from THE MESSAGE) Psalm 139 1-10




B His Girl

15 comments:

  1. OH B
    What a blessed story of GOD and HIS WORK in the lives of you and all those around you. The LORD never stays in the neat little box we try to keep Him in. That box was could not contain the AWE that God inspires in us when we see His Hands and His feet coming to chase after us. The message that God allowed you to bring to Sean about running after him - is all that God wanted to accomplish [this time]. I can't wait to stayed tuned to hear ..."the REST of the story."

    God bless you..........

    PS: I just had a homeless woman and her daughter living with me for 3 weeks. God always has us being involved in similar situations. Feathers have been gathered almost daily up here.

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie
    [JESUS - the One I Adore]

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  2. B,

    This is such a faith building story. Thanks for reporting it.

    I'm so glad God sees each one of us. He searches the earth for people who will cooperate with Him. He loves all people. Deeply. His love never ends.

    Thankful you were His messenger. Thankful for a pair of running shoes. Shoes that will always remind him of this special touch from His Daddy who loves him.

    Bless you today and everyday,

    T

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  3. Oh I love this B! We never know what God has planned and orchestrated in our lives or in the lives He wants us to touch.

    I'm often outside the box too. :)

    Love you friend!

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  4. what a great story! I love how God is so 'out side the box'!!! :)

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  5. Wow, B! What a story. I just love when God shows off that way!

    Thank you for your sweet words over at my place today. Scripture always lifts me up. Yes, there is no fear for those of us in HIm!!

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  6. What an uplifting post today B. God sure does work in mysterious ways.

    Tuesday night I had a phone conversation with my sister C about my mother. My mother is having problems but her biggest one is that she has always been Bi-polar. So all day Wednesday it was troubling me. Well Wednesday night I went to spin class and the instructor said we should let God handle all the problems in our life and she had a workout that help let all those tensions go. Before she told us about the workout she introduced a new student who's name was C and then she said that she called her workout the bi-polar workout. I was speachless. God is awesome!!

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  7. Love this! Seems I'm in a season of asking God to investigate my life and report back to me on what He finds that is not pleasing to Him. I love ya, friend!

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  8. Just love stories that are absolutely undeniably a Divine interruption in our lives.

    Talking about a faith injection ... :}

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  9. What a fabulous post and story! You are a precious soul - willing to B out there sharing God's love and shoes with those in need.

    Have a fabulous weekend! Looking forward to the rest of the story.

    Sonya Lee

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  10. What a beautiful story B - God is so involved in every detail of each and every persons story - from head to toe! Loved this! Love you!

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  11. I prayed for him as I read and I'm so blessed and encouraged in your sharing here B.'

    I see GOD'S HANDS all over this!

    Love and joy in Jesus.

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  12. POWER packed story. Oh my goodness!

    I love you to pieces.

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  13. This is a powerful "shoe story" full of grace and God chasing the homeless man and you presenting him with the much needed shoes, right on time.

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