Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”
As I sit in awe at God’s favor on our lives I am brought to humble tears. Today my husband is power washing a 3.8 million dollar rental near us and I have the privilege of sitting on a white leather couch enjoying a marvelous view of Lake Michigan while I get some much needed writing done! How cool is that? Well let me take a few minutes of your time to show you what God can do.
Four years ago I was in a mess of a marriage and my life was not filled with joy. Four years ago my now husband was sitting in the midst of a drug and alcohol addiction wondering why he was even alive. Two totally different stories of misery. Both a result of wrong directions in life and a result of not allowing God to lead. Somehow we both were shown the light of God and how He had a much bigger plan for our lives than we could ever dream or imagine.
As God began to put our lives back in order, we as individuals became a brighter light to those who needed the love of Jesus. Three years ago God made a love connection with these same two persons and love exploded into their lives. As the two soon became one and sought after the things of God, they began upon a journey that neither had expected.
Today as we sit here in this mansion taking in the splendor of God everywhere we are caused to reflect on how in the world did we get here? Surely it was not because we begged. Nor was it by accident. It was purely the favor of God on our lives. Let me show you. I have recently been seeing how things come together in life as pieces of the puzzle are brought together. More and more we are seeing how God “sets us up” for success. Two years ago my husband was asked to make a Decolores weekend (a 4 day retreat for men and women) and he went kicking and screaming. We were not married yet but he really did not want to be away from me for 4 days when the wedding was just a month away, but he went and was highly blessed…even made a connection for a wedding band to be given to him.
So I say all of the that to say this, the connection for this job he is doing right now comes from that weekend and making new friends. I told John this morning to see the whole picture…God loved him enough to make a business connection 2 years ago even before John knew he was going to have his own power washing company. Favor. Divine favor. I am completely convinced we meet no one by accident, it’s always a set up. If we believe in the Jeremiah 29:11 way of life then God already has this planned out. He has been placing people right where they need to be since the beginning of time.
So how do you access the favor? Simple obedience. Go where God tells you to go. Do what He asks you to do. In the meanwhile love His people and share the Gospel. John and I may never own a mansion or fancy cars or big yachts…but we have been connected by God to people who have these things and my friends, that is an amazing thing. So it is with much humbleness that I sit here in this window view only room writing my blog and working on my book. God is good and to those who are faithful He will shine His favor all over their lives.
Step Upon the Golden Road with Me! 