Little Scraps-Big Blessings

 

Snow on Lilacs by Dee Kamp

 

Little Scraps― Big Blessings

I’m shaking my head trying to figure out exactly what it is I’m holding. I was searching through the little book cupboard and a blank envelope fell out. There was nothing written on it and I had no idea what’s in it and why would I keep it.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV

 
It took a moment to realize these scraps of paper were from our 2016 blessing jar. We started it last January by jotting down all things that we were thankful for and how God had blessed us. Those scraps of paper I held in my hand made me smile and joy filled my heart. For you see it held not just the big things that we are obviously thankful for, but also there were the little things that meant so much to us and get us through some tough times.

This blessing jar should have been labeled with the confident title of- Jehova-jireh- our Lord who will provide.

 So there we were surprised and overwhelmed with thankfulness over scraps of paper bearing blessings galore. They were reminders all over again how God is in the smallest details of our life. To recall with a humble heart of God’s goodness and mercy and of His unfailing love revealed in all circumstances. It’s true, little scraps of paper saved away can later remind us of really big blessings throughout the year.

 “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G. K. Chesterton

 

“Little Scraps Big Blessings” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© January 19, 2017

A Flower Called Hope

 

A Flower Called Hope

It was early June and the mountain air in Yosemite Park was still cool and crisp. We were huddled inside our coats as we traveled in the open air tourist tram. It was a fascinating excursion which included a fine lecture by the park ranger at the helm. 

 Piled below the giant Sequoias were heaps of snow. “I’m so disappointed,” I said to my husband, “I have little hope now of getting any good photos of wild flowers here, it’s too early in the season and too cold for them yet.”

 But little did I know then, God had a surprise coming up just around the bend.

“And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love

 into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:5 NIV

As the tour on the tram drove us through huge Sequoias the park ranger delivered very interesting information and pointed out sights for us to see. She said, “There’s an odd looking red coned shaped flower which we look for with great earnest this time of year. The old legend goes that in these mountains when you first see it, it will give one great hope —for it means winter is finally past! I haven’t seen one yet, so keep your eyes on the out there for one.”

 Not far along we were stopping to observe one of the oldest Sequoias in the land but before my eyes sought this tree I spotted something on the bank across the road. Oh my goodness I gave out a shout, “There it is, the flower you spoke of!”

“That’s it!” the ranger cried out excitedly.  “It’s called the snow flower! But I’d rename it if I could,” she said. “I’d call it, the flower of hope.”

 We can’t see it with our eyes sprouting up under the trees, but faith and hope are real and God will surprise us with its flower just when we need it the most. 

 There is no snow too deep, no mountain too high, and no heart too sad or broken for God’s flower of hope to rise within us.

 “Brave your storm with firm endeavor,

Let your vain repining go!

Hopeful hearts will find forever

Roses underneath the snow.” —Cooper

 

“A Flower Called Hope” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© January 11, 2017 reprint from: Grace Every Morning, April 10, 2013

Trouble Came Knocking at the Door

photo by : Dee Kamp

 

Trouble Came Knocking at the Door

An urgent knocking on our motor home door startled us both so much we were caused to flip fast right out of recliners the other day!

“Who can that be? What’s wrong?” we asked each other in unison. My husband headed to the door and open it up and a blast of artic wind nearly ripped the door right out of his hand! Mercy, but the wind was strong and howling.

 There standing at the foot of the steps was a woman we did not know. She was up wrapped in many layers of clothing and leaning hard on a cane with one hand while holding on to her hat with the other hand.

“Can you help us?” I heard her muffled appeal. “We are your neighbors and my friend took the dog to the beach for a walk.  I have no idea how it happened, but now the dog is locked inside the car and the car engine is running!”

I was so proud of Bill. He said without hesitation, “Just give me a second to get my shoes and coat on and we’ll go.”

 When you live full time in a recreation vehicle and stay awhile here and there, in one park after another you can sometimes go for days without actually talking to the others who are parked nearby. But it is an unwritten law that if you ever need a hand you can count on your neighbor for help.

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 NIV

I love this lesson from Jesus about the Good Samaritan. Things really haven’t changed much with people after all these years either. There are people who don’t worship like us, live a life style we may not approve of, may be someone you wouldn’t hang out with ―but mercy for another dissolves all these concerns in seconds when someone needs a helping hand.

 I’m happy to report, the tide didn’t sweep the motor running car and dog away out to sea. Bill got there in time. Yes, they were grateful, but we know if we need anything, anytime, anywhere the good deed will one day be returned.  Nothing shows others who we are more than by the deeds we do in the love of Jesus. Trouble came knocking at the door that day, but God’s mercy answered the call.

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Henry Drummond

 

“Trouble Came Knocking at the Door” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© January 4, 2017