A New Song

When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."  The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. Psalm 126:1-3 NKJV

“God isn’t pleased by our being miserable.” A.W. Tozer

We all go through times of sadness, sorrow, and tears. God draws close to us in tenderness during those times. But God does not want us to live a tear-filled life. Tears are for the night, but joy comes in the morning. The Bible tells us to “Rejoice evermore.” God wants His song to be in our hearts and His praise to be on our lips. We are to bless the Lord at all times. It brings life to our spirits to walk in the joy of the Lord. It is the Lord who gives us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; it is the Lord who is the lifter of our heads; it is the Lord who brings us fullness of joy.

The following story is a testimony of how God brought back His song into someone’s life.

For many years I was known as one with a song on my heart and praise on my lips.  I'd find myself singing as I did my work at my parents’ business and the customers loved it.  One day that song disappeared.  Yes, it was there on rare occasions but as a rule my heart turned silent.  Silent.  Customers would come in and tell me I wasn't singing, some would leave disappointed that not even one snatch had been caught on my lips.  Others would linger just a little longer in hopes that melody would ring from my lips. Yet, so often it remained silent. There were times they would ask me to sing by special request but my heart was not in it.
 
For approximately 5 years that once swelling voice was often silent with no desire to sing.  I don't fully understand the dynamics of that time.  Those years were a very difficult season with numerous deaths of dreams, increased responsibilities, very difficult changes and situations.  During that time I started attending a church known for vocal quality and training.  I didn't have the training many of them had received, so instead of entering in, I withdrew out of fear and intimidation. I was also no longer a part of a group which regularly met to sing since I had started attending another church.  Somehow in it all my song was squelched. 
 
This Spring God opened a gateway of praise for me to walk into a meadow of rejoicing, along with a year of Jubilee.  On Sunday, April 26, I was out of town and attended church with friends of mine. That Sunday the pastor was preaching on "The Joy of the Lord."  As he taught on Psalm 98:4, I knew my heart needed to be released to again be able to burst forth with jubilant song.   God told me in essence, be silent no more, break forth into jubilant song, release your heart in praise to ME, the one who has redeemed you. Following the service a number of friends joined me up front praying that I would be released to have my song return.  It did.  The joy of Jesus, the love of Jesus and praise to God have been returning to my heart more and more.  God has released the troubled heart that held the song captive.  He has given a new song in my heart, one which swells up with sweet praise, as I allow His Spirit to flow though me bringing glory back to Him.  I testify with the psalmist in Psalm 40:2-4,  "He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.  He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD."  NKJV
 
Singing His praise while anticipating more,
Linda L. Miller

 

"Gordon"

The following posting is from Laurie Marie Hopper. Laurie works in a Christian bookstore and her time spent with customers is an important part of her daily ministry. This is the second story I've posted by Laurie in the "Stories" category.

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Life lessons learned in the Dayspring isle...

Some lessons in life I only have to learn once, but others it seems I have to learn over and over. Like the lesson of Gordon...I'll never forget the day I met him. He was looking for a card for his "dear wife" as he called her. Now Gordon is an elderly man in his nineties....at one time he was a very tall gentleman.  Gordon is stooped over a little and has a VERY wrinkly face.

I saw Gordon and said "Hi! How are you today"? I looked Gordon right in the eyes and smiled. Gordon looked back at me for a long time like he was pleasantly shocked someone would talk to him. We struck up a conversation and before long I learned that he had fought in world wars and had been a missionary and a pastor for many years. He also began to share with me all the jobs he had done...I was amazed at this man! What a full life he had led! Before he left with his card he said, "The beauty of God shines in you!" Wow, what a sweet thing for a little old man to say! I told him goodbye and have a great day.

Well.....I didn't see Gordon for about six months. Then all of a sudden one day there he was! I was so glad to see him and he was glad to see me, too. But this time Gordon was a little bit different...he wasn't as clean as he was the first time I met him....and he didn't smell as well either. His eyes were a little bit dimmer and I noticed some food in his teeth. On first impulse, I didn't want to be so friendly." THIS was different!", I said to myself. "Do I have to still be friendly to this guy"?

Now before you give up on me, you have to know where I didn't come from. I didn't come from a Christian home where you were taught basic courtesies and manners. I didn't have parents who taught me how to treat people nicely whether you liked the way they looked or smelled. God has had to teach me everything I've learned about kindness.

As Gordon proceeded to talk to me and engage in conversation, a scripture leaped up in my spirit...”For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”  1 Sam. 16:7 KJV

I knew deep inside of me that I was suppose to treat Gordon like he was the best-dressed, best smelling older gentleman I ever met. And I did, with all my heart. I spent time with him and helped him pick out just the right card.
Just before he left he looked up at me and said, “Thanks for being so nice to me. Most people don't like to talk to old guys." I laughed and said, “You come in any time you like, Gordon! I love visiting with you!"

The next time Gordon came by the store, I was on the floor putting together a new display, and he said, “Do you have a few minutes? Probably not, huh?"
I replied, "Why, sure Gordon...what do you need?"  He said excitedly, “I’ll be right back!"...Sure enough, Gordon came back with a big three-ring binder in his hands and gave it to me. I opened it up and to my amazement, it was full of the most beautiful pictures I had ever seen. Photographs.... Of flowers, birds, landscapes, sunsets, insects; pictures of cocoons opening and baby butterflies struggling out. He also had pictures of flowers in sequence...as a bud, opening a little more, and even a little more...until finally fully open.

In utter amazement I said, “Gordon, did you take these pictures"!? "Sure did"!, He replied with a grin stretching from one ear to the other. "I knew you would appreciate them so I came to show them to you."
"You do professional work, Gordon! You should sell these!" "Oh, but then I'd have to do bookwork!", he replied. After he was gone, I felt so satisfied inside and so grateful that I had not rejected him.

What did I learn? That we are never too old to dream and to be creative and productive; that the outward appearance can be so deceiving in judging what's inside a person; that I want to be like God....I want to see like He sees...He looks on the heart.

Do you have a "Gordon" in your life? Do you find yourself a little like me-apprehensive to reach out to those who might be different from you? Let me encourage you to reach out just a little more than you normally would...experience the freedom and the personal growth that comes from getting out of your comfort zone and showing God's love to those who cross your path on a daily basis. I think you'll find pleasant surprises along your journey and you'll see more like God sees in the process.

- By Laurie Marie Hopper

A Serendipitous Obedience

The following story is based upon a message I wrote for DaySpring over fifteen years ago. It is humorous in places, but it is also a reminder to us of the power of prayer and the way the Holy Spirit works to touch the hearts of others.

Being the mother of four active boys has filled my life with a myriad of experiences, some more exciting than others. Since they all four have gone to the same high school, I've almost worn the pavement down on the road over the last eight years taking them to and from school.

Day after day, I began to notice this one particular man . A tall, older, distinguished  looking gentleman. Every morning, there he was walking with his lunch bag in hand and a lanyard I.D. tag hanging from his neck. I naturally assumed he was walking to work.

One special morning I heard God's still small voice on the inside of my heart telling me to pray for the man. I snorted," Lord! I don't even know that man! How could I pray for him?" The gentle voice replied," You see him every day! Why don't you make a difference in his life instead of just blowing past him? Be aware of the people who cross your path on a daily basis. Reach out to them." The next day the same thing. Now, I have had a relationship with God for 36 years. And in that 36 years I have learned to hear God's voice the hard way. Funny, the more time I spend with God the more sensitive I am to Him when He talks to me. Kind of like the saying "The harder I work the luckier I get" type of thing. Anyway, I obeyed, and I began to pray for him every morning when I saw him.

I would pray for God to bless him and his family, for God to give him a good day. I would pray for his health and his job. I began to pray that God would help him with any problems he might be having and for God to fill his life with love and meaning. Well, this went on month after month. Were my prayers making a difference in his life? Was my obedience in praying for him making a difference in mine?

Now, I have the best job in the whole world. I am the head of the greeting card department at Berean Christian Store in Bakersfield, California. I get to talk about God all day long at my job. I get to pray with people, listen to Christian music, and be surrounded by godly literature. Who could ask for anything better?

As in all retail business, working with the public has its challenges-christian or non. One day  I was having a particularly difficult time of it and as I was putting up my greeting card order I kept coming across Roy Lessin's  poem titled "Just Think". It seemed that every where I looked on this day that poem was there: On a plaque, on a journal, in framed wall art. I thought to myself," Come on, Roy, get a new poem now and again. Let's get some new material going here!"

I'm usually not a negative or complaining person. but for some reason I was irritated that this poem was just EVERYWHERE! Not ten minutes later a well dressed couple walked into the store. I greeted them with a smile...and low and behold...it was the man that I prayed for every morning!! You know, you just can't pray for someone as much as I prayed for him and not feel a connection. My spirit leaped within me. I said, "Is there anything  I can help you with?" He and his wife replied rather stoically," We are just here to get a card for our daughter. She just had a baby and there were some complications." I said," Oh! Okay. Just let me know if you need anything.”

As they began to look at the baby cards, I could not help but overhear because I was putting up product just a few feet away. They read a few cards out loud together, talking in hushed tones. Then they began to read a baby card with the poem (you guessed it) “Just Think” on it. As they began to read this card, they both started to softly cry. Then the words they read began to be broken with sobs in between. Before long, they were both weeping. I was so moved with compassion for this hurting Grandpa and Grandma...and they had no idea who I was or that I had been praying for them for many months! I couldn’t help myself. With tears in my eyes, I wrapped that little woman in my arms and began to pray for her, the daughter, and the baby who were obviously so very precious to them. She sobbed in my arms as I prayed.

The gentleman had been so overcome with emotion that he pulled out his handkerchief and went to a nearby corner of  the store to try to compose himself. The Lord helped me to pray a prayer that encouraged and uplifted them. He put just the right words in my mouth that day. They wiped the tears from their eyes and said,” Thank you! This card says it all for us! Thank you for praying for us!”

And just as quickly as they came in, they were gone. I was left standing  there with the most awe-struck feeling. What just happened? God came down and touched my world!

What did  I learn that day? So many things!! Like....some things are TIMELESS. For instance, an old poem that was written years ago under God’s power and anointing can. and is, still touching lives today. Similar to the Bible, God continues to encourage and motivate man through the written word. God’s insights are fresh and new...no matter when they were written! The power of words...especially when they are inspired by God.

I also learned that God has His reasons when He asks you to do something. I’ve come to realize, over time, that He has my best interest at heart. His instructions may seem insignificant, but if you will obey Him and do what He says, He will make something surprisingly beautiful (serendipitous!) out of your obedience. Like me, maybe you will get to help someone in their time of need. Or, the tables could be turned, and you will be the someone in need who is greatly helped by the one who is being obedient to the whisper of  God.

I continue to drive two of my sons to high school everyday...and I still see that man walking to work. You can bet that every time he is seen, I habitually pray for him and his family. He probably will never know who I am, and that’s okay. The satisfaction of being obedient and knowing why.....so I could be a help and an encouragement, is enough to warm my heart and prepare me for my next adventure with God.

Laurie Marie Hopper