Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

The little things

I help an older friend of mine to extract honey from time to time. He’s getting older and is not able to lift and move around as fast as he used to. Throughout the workday, he has these moments where he forgets little things. There is a lever on the side of the uncapping machine that if switched one way it loosens its grip on the honey frame as to unjam it if it gets stuck. If it’s left this way it will not uncap the wax from the honey, making me scrape it all and ends up being a lot of work. At first, when this started happening I was getting upset at all the extra time and work this produced. After a while, it became a joke that we would laugh over and that’s when I noticed something. Even though these mistakes would cost us time and some money, we were having a great time. It’s important throughout our life to make time for the little things and to focus on the good that can come out of a troublesome incident. God wants us to focus on the good and to trust Him in every situation. Heavenly Father thank you for this beautiful morning please forgive us for any of our sins and trespasses Lord known and unknown. Thank you for all the little things in life that can brighten our day if we let it. Help us to have your sight to see light in the darkness. In Jesus’ precious name amen.

God’s Timing

Walking down the street in a bad part of town staring at the ground not knowing what to do. I hadn’t a dime to my name or anywhere to crash for the night. I was without work, home or food and I was only 19. I was all out of drugs and alcohol and coming down wasn’t the best feeling. I had reached a point in my life when I needed to do something, anything to change how I was living. The only thing that came to mind was to strong-arm a gas station. If I got away with it then I would have cash for a bit and if I got caught then I would go to jail having food and a place to sleep. On my way to the gas station, my feet decided to take me to a payphone directly in front of the station and I dialed the police. I proceeded to tell them what I was about to do, then hung up. I couldn’t believe what I had just done but didn’t really care. I walked myself next to the building and sat down with my head in my hands. A squad car pulled up and two officers stepped out they calmly walked over to where I sat. The driver took a moment to look at me for a minute before he spoke. He asked me what I was doing and I told him that I wasn’t sure. Giving him the rundown on my life I began to cry uncontrollably. The officer told me that in all his years on the force he had never received a call like that before. He told me that he could take me to jail or take me to a homeless shelter near us. He said that he didn’t want me to go to jail, that he could tell that I wanted help. I didn’t even know what a shelter was but he explained it to me on the way. He spoke with the owner and I was allowed to stay. The first night we had soup and bread and went upstairs to a giant room with over a hundred bunk beds. The first night was rough since I hadn’t any idea what to expect but it got better as time went on. I did have a girlfriend at the time and she came and visited me from time to time. The owners had me on a schedule sorting through bread and pastries as they were donated and handing out the soap in the communal shower. I made friends quickly with just about everyone. I landed a job shortly after and moved in with my girlfriend who later became my wife. It was 16 or 17 years later that I came to walk with God, but I believe that God was looking out for me long before I met Him. Many years later I’m a board member at the Oakdale Rescue Mission and proud of it. I get a chance to touch the hearts of everyone I tell my stories to. God gave me a gift that I want to give to others, and that is “a chance”, just like how God gave that officer to give to me. I challenge you to look back at the earliest parts of your life and see how God has intervened, veering you towards a better life. I praise God for the opportunity to help others the way he has helped me. Are U up for the challenge?

Storm is coming, are you prepared?

Pacific Gas and Electric has notified 29 counties that they may be turning off the electricity for one to three days. It has been reported high winds are coming and could cause powerlines to fall. Last night on the news people were lined up at ATMs, service stations and grocery stores to be prepared. Just the thought of being without electricity has also caused me anxiety. I can’t curl my hair, use my electric toothbrush, make coffee, watch the news on TV, read my Bible on my iPad or get my car out of the garage. That is how my morning started. Then I thought, what is wrong with this picture. I am way too dependent on things of this world. How would I react if I was told, God is taking a vacation and he wasn’t going to be around for a few days. The Sun wouldn’t rise, the birds wouldn’t sing, but more importantly, I wouldn’t be able to take a breath without God. God gives us life and provides our needs He gives us the strength to face even small inconveniences of life. The real question is the Lord is coming, are you prepared? 🙏

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44

Philippians 2:5

What is it like to think how Jesus thought, thinking all the good stuff that the Bible has taught. Loving our neighbors with a true heart, that’s a great place for any of us to start. Loving our enemies can be a hard task, Lord give us the strength to remove the devil’s mask. Open our hearts to a stranger today, help me to show them you in every way. Repent for my sins, getting back to you, running the race with a walk that is true. Hitting my knees to have open communication with you, this massages my hardened heart having it beat true.