How Is God "Sending" Me Today?

"Here I Am, Lord" is one of my favorite hymns. I have to admit that actually I love all of Dan Shutte's hymns! The fact that this God who made all of creation is calling me--is calling each one of us--to go and be of service to God's people is a pretty awesome thought!






As much as I love the hymn, I guess one of the things that bothers me about this particular video is what seems like a focus on Mother Teresa (although there were some "regular" people like a doctor and a fire fighter incorporated into it). It's not that I have anything against Mother Teresa. I think she was a wonderful woman--a saintly woman--who did outstanding things. But the reality is that I am not--nor will I ever be a Mother Teresa. And I doubt that most of us will be. Yet I believe very strongly that each of us is definitely called by God to serve God's people here on Earth--to bring light to those whose lives are darkened by troubles of some sort, to help provide for those who are in need--physically or spiritually, or emotionally. If nothing else, I can listen--both with my ears and with my heart--to someone who is troubled. I can be compassionate. I can share a kind word or a smile. I've come to realize over the years that we have no idea  what that smile or word might have meant to someone who was hurting or worried or frightened.

One of my friends emailed me this story or parable this morning. I don't know where it originated or who wrote it so I can't give proper credit. I know I've read it before and it touched my hear. I think it captures the concept that so often--without our realizing it--we have each reflected God's love and God's gentleness and God's caring to another. And to me, that's what being "sent" is all about!

Bring Potato Chips

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey. 

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. 

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. 

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" 

He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" 

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied! "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected." 

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally! 

Have lunch with God.......bring chips.