A Mustard Seed

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? Most people have never seen a mustard seed unless they were given one along with a track that explains how God only ask us to have faith the size of a mustard seed and we can move mountains. For those who have never seen a mustard seed, it is smaller than a sunflower seed but a little bigger than those black poppy seeds you see in muffins. In other words, the seed is tiny. Therefore, you do not have to have a lot of faith for God to do what seems to be impossible for man.

Anyway, when I got into work this morning, I went across the office to visit my friend, Mrs. M, and she told me I had to hear SK's testimony. She said it brought her to tears so I immediately left Mrs. M's office headed for SK's.

SK began to share with me about not growing up in church so this "whole faith thing" was new and she struggles with it daily. However, this past Sunday she was going to opt out from church because she did not have enough money to pay her tithes. No one at her church would have cared if she paid her tithes or not. However, SK desired to please God from her heart by returning the tithe but did not see the tangible funds in her account. Well she went to church anyway. When she arrived, the first service was almost over but when she had looked at her watch earlier, she thought she was on time. Well, the first service was over so she had to decide to leave or stay for the second service. She stayed even though she never attends 11am service: she always goes to 9am.

As the tithes and offerings bucket was passed, she paid her tithes not knowing how the check was going to clear the bank. However, she trusted God to help her in some kind of way. Remember she has been struggling with faith- Hebrews 1:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. SK has spent the majority of her life believing only in tangible things but decided to give this "whole faith thing" a try.

During the service, all the members received an envelope from the pastor which he described as a gift from God. In the envelope were suggestions of how to give someone else a gift from God such as helping a grieving person in the emergency waiting area of a hospital or requesting a waitress who is a single mom at a restaurant. They were also to give whoever they helped a note about God's love and sign their name. Plus in the envelope was a $50 bill. The pastor told all the single moms to keep it if they needed it or give it away to someone else who they knew needed it. SK is a single mom. Then...

a few days later she gets a Christmas card from an aunt and uncle along with a photo of some family members she has not seen in years. With the Christmas card were two checks: one for $75 and another for $1,000. As SK shared her testimony and tears of joy with me, she kept saying how she struggles with faith. I suggested that she stop saying that she is struggling and say, "I believe!" She also shared that her and her son have not decided who to help with the $50.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. What size is your faith?

Fabulous Fifty

Most of my life I have developed friendships with older girls and females. In fourth grade, I hung out with the fifth and sixth graders. In ninth grade, I hung out with sophomores and juniors. When I got to college, I gravitated toward older women who were wise and willing to help me prevent some of their mistakes.

This morning I learned that my daycare provider turned 50 on Friday. I was completely shocked because we look near the same age. I do not think I look older but I do think she looks just as young as me. The same as Mrs. M, my friend and co-worker who turned 50 last year. She looks great! I think my godmother either turned 50 this year or will be next year and she looks fabulous also. Their skin is beautiful, their attitudes and energies are always positive and high, and they love to share daily testimonies not just the ones from 19XX like old people do. They do not look like gravity has gotten the best of them like some women nor do they sit at home waiting for things or people to come to them. They are active with grandkids, college courses, school aged kids and their own personal events. This is how life should be for all women over 50!

All I can say is that I hope 13 years from now, someone is saying the same about me. That I am a fabulous fifty! Fit, still working out, shopping when I want, playing with my kids, traveling, not starting sentences with "Well back in the day..." and enjoying my latter years more than my former years. These women give me hope that I will be a fabulous fifty also!