Corona Devo 707

Today we received some strawberries from Heaven.

I know they came from There because they were chocolate-covered.  (Is there any other way to eat fruit?)  And who else but God could know how excited and uplifted our family would be to receive those chocolate-dipped strawberry smiles?  

And who else but our Heavenly Father could know that we needed a smile today?

Well, Uncle Joe and Aunt Sue must have known too, because they sent the strawberries. (May the Lord bless you for your kind hearts to us, and can you hear us singing "For they're a jolly good fellow!"?)  But I also feel that God was ultimately behind that sweet delivery, because God knew we could use some strawberries from Heaven right about now, and God's goodness and love is at the heart of every act of love. (We love because he first loved us. ~I John 4:19).

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  ~James 1:17

Sometimes a surprise arrives, there's a card in the mailbox, or a message on the machine and it's just what we needed.  God uses people, and I just want to say a public thank you to those who are allowing themselves to be "used by Him".  

I will also admit that sometimes we have no idea that we're doing something "for Him" until a much later time, and perhaps we will never know some of the ways that God uses us, or that God uses others to minister to us.  

But the fact remains that the Lord needs willing, obedient people who are willing to step-outside-of-themselves to build into and build-up others, and they are who He uses to "deliver" His good and perfect gifts sometimes.  

I received another "chocolate covered strawberry" today in the form of a willing heart to help.  We each have our own workloads, but imagine if someone stepped up and "volunteered to help", saying that covering/helping/managing that ____ for a time "would be their pleasure".  Or "is right up their alley", or that they have been "praying for a way to get involved", and they feel that (helping us in our situation) is what God has put on their heart.  

Yippee!  Sometimes help-from-others can be a more decadent gift than chocolate covered strawberries, because it allows for us to be refreshed.  

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  ~Galatians 6:2

I've always thought of "burdens" as heavy/negative/hard things that we are shouldering in our lives, but I see today that our God-given responsibilities and callings might be (positive) burdens that are placed on us...and there may be times when other Believers step in and "share our burdens".  And rather than feel guilty about needing "help", we can realize that this is not only God's plan for how His children can support each other, but that also (by sharing each other's burdens)...in this way (we) obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2).

I am grateful for the "chocolate-covered strawberries" that were delivered to me today in the form of willing-help from others, it was such a sweet encouragement to my soul.  (Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  ~I Thessalonians 5:11).

And right before bed I received one more "delivery" of "chocolate covered strawberries".  Not in the form of actual berries, and not in the form of sweet and willing assistance from others, but in the form of God's deeply penetrating and revealing Word, indeed--there is no more satisfying "gift".  

During family Bible Study, God exposed a mistake I had made with my children yesterday that I had not yet remedied.  I had felt bad, and I wanted to discuss things...but reconciliation is hard and humbling.  However, when our family read this verse: The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” (62) And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61-62), I knew that The Lord was looking straight at me.  (The moment we realize that we've made a mistake, and then we don't own/confess/rectify it--then we are choosing to disown what we know to be right and true in following Jesus.)

But the "bitter-sweet" taste of those "chocolate covered strawberry" verses were a cleansing gift to my soul.  The "bad" taste in my mouth was due to my own mistake and sin, but God delivered His Word (verses) in such a way as to convict me and cause a repentant heart and actions.  There is a sweetness in that process that no chocolate-covered anything can compete with.

Yes, today we received some chocolate-covered strawberries from Heaven.  

Some in the form of actual berries, some in the form of help-from-God's-people, and some in the raw form of God's Word from the Bible (For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. ~Hebrews 4:12).

I am thankful, grateful and filled by all of them.  (Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. ~Psalm 34:8)

I hope you might receive some strawberries from Heaven today, too.

Blessings,

Sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com