AMBER ALERT

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)

As I moved through the grocery store check-out line, it was evident that the cashier was very angry. Glancing at her name tag, I said, “Hi Bonnie. How are you today?”

“Just fine!” she said with sarcasm, then continued, “Some people are just more than I want to deal with – then they leave saying, ‘Have a good day’ as if that excused their rude behavior.”

I wanted to say something more but my few items had been quickly scanned, bagged and credited. Feeling speechless, I uttered, “I pray your day gets better.”

“Humph!” she said as she started the next order.

Bonnie was on my mind as I drove north on Route 95. A large information sign that extends across the highway flashed “Amber Alert”. Was Bonnie on God’s amber alert list? Was she one of His lost children? I prayed for one of God’s messengers to reach Bonnie and introduce her to the way, the truth and the life in Jesus.

How many people in our lives would have an “Amber Alert” sign flashing over their head. With this on my mind, I prayed the lost would be found. According to Luke 16, Jesus uses sheep, coins, and a son, to express the seriousness in saving the lost, as He says, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of angels over one sinner who repents.” Sheep and coins can be replaced, but not the son (or daughter).

Dear Lord, Equip us to be better servants, and not to miss an opportunity to share Your love. Put your words in our mouths. Amen

© 2013 Lois Gosley

Distorted View

DISTORTED VIEW Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:27 NKJV) A high rise with black mirror windows, being erected along my route to work, continually captured my attention. I marveled at its elegance as the work progressed. One day, I noticed that half way up the building, a window had been broken, and a big black hole replaced it. Each day as the building got taller and taller, I looked at the black hole hoping they would repair it. Weeks went by and the window was still out. I wondered how it broke! By a workman? Did a bird fly into the mirror window thinking it was sky? Every day, while driving passed the growing high rise, I looked at the hole. I thought, dirt and grime, rain and debris, are all going to blow in that hole. Each day, I imagined how filthy it is inside the hole. Finally, they finished the building and repaired the window. The building is grand. The mirrored windows reflect the sky and clouds and stands majestically. All this time, I only focused on the hole. Do I only see the flaws in events and people? Do I only focus on negative? When the bills arrive, do I fear I can’t cover them? The Lord is my Provider -- I am proof. The difference between the pessimist and optimist is quite droll. The optimist looks at the donut, the pessimist at the hole. Dear Lord, Forgive me for dwelling on the negative things. Open my eyes to focus on all the blessings around me, and reveal how I can help others “see”. Amen © 2012 Lois Gosley