Toe Service

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”  Psalm 40:2

In the middle of a lonely stretch of open road along a rural South Dakota interstate highway stands a billboard advertisement for an independently-owned full-service filling station, located just off a nearby exit. Painted in big black letters is the sign’s bold statement: “24-Hour Toe Service.” Clearly, the owner’s intention is to advertise auto service – to assist stranded travelers whose broken-down vehicles are in need of a tow and repair.

The accidental misspelling gave me the giggles as I drove by on the way to my parents’ farm. I wondered how many motorists had shared the same reaction. How would the mechanic respond if I were to pull in to the station and ask the price of a pedicure? One look at my piggies and he would surely declare that I was in need of some major toe service! And he might forewarn me that a full 24 hours may be needed to perform the repairs, too. (Okay, actually, he would probably just roll his eyes at this silly woman’s question and go back to his work.)

My mind drifted as I drove on… Yes, my toes sure could use some repair. While a good polish job to the outside might improve their appearance, much the same as it would to an automobile, the inside of my toes’ “mechanics,” if you will, is often broken-down. Structurally my toes are in adequate working order. They provide balance, enabling me to stand up, walk, and even run – to function on my feet. In a different way, however, my “walk” is often anything but balanced. On my own, my toes and I stumble through too many commitments, sink in the mud and mire of poor priorities, and tip over with busyness. I fail to stand up for my faith on too many occasions or walk in the Word on others. Yes, my out-of-balance toes and I need a full-service fix. In fact, we need a complete overhaul!

Faster than a tow truck can reach my car, my Savior reaches out to me, giving me His always-available, 24-hour full repair service. When Jesus suffered in my place, dying on the cross for my poor priorities, my failures, and my lack of balance, He made the best and boldest statement, not painted on a sign, but spoken from His lips: “It is finished.” (John 19:30) My sins are forgiven. Once broken-down, I am fully repaired in Christ! As the Psalmist says, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” His full-service filling stations – worship and the Word – fuel me with faith and fill me with the Spirit! Because God is in the business of providing perfect, full repair service, He alone can give me a firm place to stand on the Rock of Christ and enable me to find my balance in Him, teaching me to sidestep poor priorities and retrace my steps, helping me determine which of my many commitments are really necessary. His Spirit empowers me to stand strong in my faith and walk closely with Him.

Look down at your piggies. Are they (are you) in need of toe service? Yep. And you, too, have received a complete overhaul in Christ! As the Lord leads you into the Word and worship, trust that He is continually fueling you and filling you, enabling you to stand firm, beautifully balanced on the Rock.

At Work

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

During my travels to Oklahoma last week, the Lord opened my eyes, enabling me to see that He is always at work, not only in those opportunities and places I would expect, but also in the unexpected.

I saw the Lord at work in an older hotel in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, now the home of a Christian conference center and the ideal setting for the district-wide pastors’ wives retreat where I would speak. Though I came to teach, giving a message of God’s lavish grace in Christ, I also learned a great deal from these wonderfully wise women! We enjoyed loads of laughter, a flowing chocolate fountain, and special opportunities to gather around God’s Word together. He was at work in His Word and in these women, as they gave one another comfort and encouragement, hugs and affirmation.

My flight out of Oklahoma City was delayed, so I decided to purchase a sandwich at the airport. The clerk, a small Chinese woman, was meek and quiet. I doubted if many travelers said more than two words to her, so I decided to give it a try. When the flight was delayed even further, I came back to make another purchase. The woman looked up and grinned. “Deb, right?” came her unexpected words. I am thankful for another conversation with her. I only wish I had been more direct in my brief opportunities to witness my faith. I trust that God was at work, despite my meager attempts.

Dallas/Fort Worth was my layover stop and the delay that followed was even longer than the first. But God used every minute to show me that He is always at work! As I looked around the airport, I wondered if any of the hurried travelers around me were Christians and how God might use someone in that setting to be the aroma of Christ to a complete stranger. Then, to my surprise, a kind couple who had exchanged pleasantries with me earlier asked me if I would like to share something to eat. I thanked them, though I declined their generous offer. (Hmmm…was God at work in them? I pondered.) As they rose to leave, a family of four sat down nearby. These parents and their middle-schoolers promptly got out a deck of cards and began enjoying some fun family time, laughing and talking while they played. As I rose to leave, I took this opportunity to approach them; I shared what a blessing it was for me to see a loving family enjoying time together this way. I pray that God is at work in this family, and I hope that my words were a fragrant offering to Him, as well.

While standing in line to board the flight, a sweet woman began chatting with me. I was pleasantly surprised when we ended up seated next to each other! As we enjoyed a lengthy conversation, I shared my ministry work, my family, and my faith with her. She, in turn, shared much about her life with me, admitting she had left the church several years ago and longed to return. We talked about God’s grace and forgiveness in Christ. I reached into my purse and gave her my devotion books. (A friend told me to pack them, just in case I had an unexpected opportunity to share!) As we hugged good-bye in Omaha, she assured me, “These books will not go to waste!” God was at work. (And Sandra, I hope you are reading my blog. I am praying for you!)

If our eyes are open to it, we will see God at work, even in the unexpected, for it is HE who works in us (and others!) “…to will and to act according to His good purpose.” His good purpose for us is centered in Christ, that we would “spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (2 Corinthians 2:14) Are your eyes open to see it? Where and how is He at work in you and around you today?

A Whirlwind Witness

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29

A whirlwind-speed two-day trip to “retreat” with some wonderful Illinois women took me to the Windy City a couple of weeks ago. I flew out Friday and returned Saturday. In the span of twenty-four hours, I had the opportunity to lead AND learn, give AND receive, feed AND be fed (God’s Word…and plenty of chocolate, too!). While I prayed that my words and work would bless these special women, I believe that I received even greater blessings from them as they opened their arms and their hearts to me. We made every moment count - a whirlwind witness to one another for Christ! All too soon, I was hugging good-byes to these new friends, being escorted to O’Hare, and flying home.

A brick wall of fatigue hit me in the airport and again on the plane, and suddenly, I was so weary I could barely string two words together. All I could think about was getting home to my bed.  Though a friend had recently reminded me that my travel time would be a great opportunity to live out my witness for Christ, I had zero energy to do so. “Lord, I pray that You have made me a fragrant offering for You this weekend. Forgive me, for I don’t think I am giving off any such aroma now.”

I slept on the flight and weakly dragged my bags through the Omaha airport, catching the parking lot shuttle bus just in time. Since it was late evening, I guessed I would be the only passenger on board. WRONG! The energetic elderly driver practically bounded to the door to assist me with my bags and apologized that his little shuttle bus was so full, that my luggage would have to sit next to the door. I would be the last on and the first off. That sounded good to me. I took the last available seat and managed a weak smile for the several passengers who stared at me from the sort of circle they formed, the way the seats were arranged. “Why bother striking up conversation when I will be getting right back off the bus?” I reasoned to my weary self. I handed my parking slip to the driver so he could deliver me straight to my vehicle. When we arrived at the supposed spot, however, there was no vehicle. At least not mine. What was wrong? Determining that the coordinates were marked incorrectly, we began to search - in vain. The darkness added to the difficulty, and the other passengers kindly joined our hunt, asking me for the license number, make, and model of my vehicle, how long I had been gone, where I had traveled, and why. (What an unexpected opportunity for a whirlwind-speed witness!) My fellow passengers and I could have been impatient in our predicament, but instead we created some fun! Laughing and talking during our hurried hunt, I learned a little about their lives and their vacation destinations, as well. One by one, their vehicles were found and good-byes were shared. Eventually, the driver and I were the only two left in his little bus, and surprisingly, I no longer felt weary or weak at all. Crouched next to the driver in the aisle, I finally spotted my vehicle! As I got up to go, I touched his arm and said, “God bless you!” He beamed. “Oh, God bless YOU, Ma’am. God bless YOU!”

The Lord gave me strength in my weariness and power in my weakness, that I could give a whirlwind witness for Him when I felt the least capable. What unexpected opportunities may come your way for a whirlwind witness? Know that in His strength you can be a fragrant offering, even when you don’t think you have anything left to give.