Honesty Is the Best Policy

Sonoma Vineyard Grapes Photo by Dee Kamp

 

Honesty Is the Best Policy

It was a quick stop at Costco-honest.  The basket wasn’t bulging with bargains and I felt like I had feathers instead of feet as I unloaded my mere three items purchased that day. It was a day of accomplished errands done as planned ―or so I thought until I got home!

“But as for me and my household we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 NIV

Whenever I walk into my kitchen my eyes always look above the window and rest with on those words from Joshua 24:15.  

On this particular day, after driving several miles and several hours away from home on my errands, the discipline and obedience to keep my promise to God would mean a special effort, time and inconvenience.

Glancing at the sales slip from Costco I noticed that one item had not been rung up! How did it get missed by the person at the door? “Oh, well, I said to my husband, “I’ll just take care of it when I’m back that way in a couple of days.”

 But I was completely unprepared for the response at the checkout line when I got there to pay for the item! I explained what happened and showed the checker the item she needed to ring up was missing. She just stared at me and said, “Why? Why did you bother to come back?”

Out of my mouth flew, “Because my mother raised me right I guess." I said with a nervous laugh.

She was so perplexed that she called over her supervisor. Now people were stretching their necks to see what the holdup was and I felt the pressure of delaying them.  The supervisor stared at the sales slip, and then up at me for some time. I really felt the line behind me closing in and the man who boxes up things seemed to be enjoying all this tremendously nodding and smiling oddly.

Shaking her head the supervisor said, “Really? You came back all this way to pay for this? Well okay then, we hardly see such honesty.”

Goodness, now I’m embarrassed at all the attention and the supervisor made me feel foolish besides. The cashier rung up the unpaid item and said, “My goodness, you just made my day.”

T’was not to be the end of this surprising reaction by so many. I got the to the door where the person marks off your sales slip and sure enough the woman stopped and looked at me puzzled. I filled her in to the oversight.  She too shook her head and looked up at me and said, “Thank you for your honesty. It’s refreshing!”

I started laughing at all the fuss on the way to my car, but in a way this all made me feel sad too. I know lots and lots of honest people in our family and our community, but it was obvious to me now the world out there sees less and less of it.

I had no idea the Lord was going to use me as an example that day. Certainly it was a good lesson for me to realize even the smallest oversight of a payment matters to God. Nothing is missed by God, and He is able to use our obedience to serve Him in many unique and surprising ways. Honesty is still is the best policy to show others Jesus is in our hearts every day.

 “Honesty Is the Best Policy” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 20, 2014

Our Stops as Well as Our Steps

Ellensburg Farm Land North Cascade Mt by Dee Kamp

 

Our Stops As Well As Our Steps

Little Blue has been one of the best investments our family has made in a little pickup truck. There are a ridiculous number of miles on it, but it always starts up and is a mighty little work horse. That is until one rainy day while driving along the defroster for the windshield stopped working and the heater quit. You could run one or the other but not both! And sometimes we had many stops before going again.

“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love

 for I have my trust in You.

Show me the way I should go,

for to You I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 NIV

 

We took Little Blue to our local mechanic, but he was unable to help us and suggested another fellow across town. Just driving there took two people! The passenger had to wipe and clear the windshield so the driver could see enough to stay on the road. The second fellow who worked on Little Blue did so for three days and he tested everything he could think of—but to no avail. Was this end of the best truck ever?

 

Once again we were sent to another mechanic who was said he loves electrical challenges. By now we had little hope, but we took what felt like a very long trip several miles out of town out into the rural countryside. There we met a man who looked more like a farmer than a mechanic. He waved to us to follow him as we bumped across a pasture watching him swing open the doors of a cavernous old barn.

 

The farmer-mechanic fellow kept Little Blue more than week.  Though he was a bit untraditional his fine reputation preceded him and we waited in hope he could fix what no one else was able to do.  

Finally the call came and he was shouting so loud into the phone Bill had to hold it away from his ear! We wondered—can this be good or what’s really wrong? But then the words we waited long to hear came through loud and clear, “Your little blue pickup is fixed! I dug around and found one burnt out wire! Come and get your truck!”

 

Though it often takes much effort for a person to seek in many places and peoples to get something fixed up and running again— isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus alone is the only one we need to go who gives us hope we there is something burnt out and missing in our lives? He is able to heal and restore what is broken in our lives with a single prayer of faith.  Before we go on line and google, or call family or a friend, it’s awesome to realize one call to our Lord and Savior is all we need for our stops as well as all our steps in life.  

 

“Our Stops as Well as Our Steps” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 17, 2014

He Heard My Prayer for Company

Big Leaf Maple Brinnon WA by Dee Kamp

 

He Heard My Prayer for Company

The November wind storm blew gusts shaking the branches of the giant maple trees like a dog with a bone. With each heavy handed gust streams of leaves colored gold, crimson and orange sailed by me. I headed down a steep hill with the wind to my back all the while keeping alert should any cars be coming up behind me. There are no sidewalks here, so one needs get way off the road onto the grassy shoulder to be safe.

That morning I felt a little cloud of worry and loneliness. As I walked I whispered a little prayer, “Please Lord Jesus, join me on my walk today, I could sure use the company.”  But I certainly wasn’t prepared for the surprising way in which He would show me we never walk alone.

 “Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord, for he is coming! ”Psalm 96:11-13

I stopped walking soon after this because I heard a car coming up behind me.  I moved off the road and on to the shoulder and stood waiting for it to pass by. But no car appeared.

That’s odd, I though, and without a glance back figured the car turned into a driveway somewhere. But then I heard a sound like people shuffling their feet along the road. That’s when something next to me caught my eye and I spun around to see what it was.  It was not a group people hurrying along, or even bicyclists coming by, but something quite surprising instead.

There in the middle of the road was a large collection of dry fallen leaves whirling and fluttering about and settling down right beside me.

Guessing the wind quit for a moment and the leaves lost their lift to travel, I began walking again. But how very strange, as I began to walk the leaves rose up and began there noisy shuffling keeping pace with me. I did this off and on several times. I was mesmerized by the mystery of the leaves picking up and shuffling along beside me whenever I moved along.  

I knew there was a logical explanation for all of this, really. But I couldn’t help enjoying this walk with the shuffling leaves for company. With simple, childlike faith I enjoyed every minute of it, forgetting all my cares.

For surely my mind resisted such frolic, but my heart acknowledged, the Lord in His mysterious ways is able to do more than we can ever imagine. He knows what delights our heart.  And today I know, that I know― He heard my prayer for company.

 

“He Heard My Prayer for Company” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 10, 2014...

Real Best Friend



Best Friends  by Dee Kamp

 

Real Best Friend

When he was a little guy, about four years old or so, our son announced one day that he had an imaginary friend. Well we did what all loving parents do, we welcomed this imaginary friend and included him in all our family events.

When we grow and mature our imagination doesn’t’ go away, in fact imagination will evolve into creative thinking to produce beautiful things from music, art, hand crafts, writing and more.

But one thing we don’t want to focus on in our imagination are the troubles we think may come to us in the future.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world

 so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. John 17:13 NIV

 

 Jesus speaks in the present tense. Jesus prayed for His disciples to experience the full measure of his joy-now. And He prayed for us to be living in His joy even in the middle of rush-hour traffic, crying kids, long appointments, health challenges and whatever else life throws at us. Jesus doesn’t want us to wait for heaven to be full of His joy―its right now!

As we reflect on Jesus’ prayer, that no matter if we are very young or 100 we are not to let those imaginary troubles of the future cloud the Truth of His Word and dim the joy He so desires for us.

I’m happy to report the imaginary friend our son ha was short lived. That one day as a young adult he asked Jesus Christ to come and live in his heart as his Savior and be his real best friend for life.

“Real Best Friend” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 4, 2014

With God Expect the Unexpected

pretty quilts by Dee Kamp

 

With God Expect the Unexpected

Have you ever felt the Spirit nudging you to take another way to your destination? Perhaps even a side road, one less traveled? When you do, expect God to surprise you and perhaps, bless another.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV

I had been browsing a local book store and about to turn right up the hill to go home on the freeway when I heard, not an audible voice, but surely a clear prompting that said, “Go left”. Well, sure enough at the same time the voice of reason tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Certainly not!” But again, there it was, a very strong feeling I should go left down the road past the little church on the corner.

As I drove along I was surprised to see a woman sitting all alone at a table in the parking lot of the church with hanging displays of beautifully handmade quilts.

“Lord,” I said to myself, “I don’t have enough cash on me to buy a quilt!” But I turned into the parking lot anyway. There I discovered the quilts weren’t for sale but were being raffled off to raise money to benefit the homeless in the area.

I chatted with the woman a moment, and we shared our faith and our love of serving the Lord. I bought tickets with what cash I had and then she shyly asked me a question that did surprise me!

“Would you sit at my table a moment? I really need to go into the church and use the restroom. I’ve been out here for hours. I was just praying someone would remember me out here and come and help me out from the church, but here you are instead!”

Well of course I offered to watch the table and sell the tickets. I chuckled to myself at this delightful turn of events and the meeting of a new friend. What a good feeling to help another in such a humble and simple way. With God, we can always expect the unexpected.

 “O My child, let Me speak to thee, and let My Spirit direct thy life. I may lead you in unexpected ways, and ask things of you that are startling, but I will never guide you amiss. Across thy path shall fall the shadow of My hand, and wheresoever I direct thee, there shall ye see My power at work, there shall come forth from thy ministry that which shall glorify Me.” ―Frances J Roberts from: Come Away My Beloved

“With God, Expect the Unexpected” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 3, 2014

 

Be Still

 

Be Still

Ever have that Holy Spirit nudge that you need to pause and pay apt attention to something you are reading, something in the world around you, or something someone is saying?

 

That’s exactly what happened for me this morning when by chance I found an old yellowed piece of paper tucked away in a forgotten file.

 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

In those moments when we are called to pause, a light flickers on in our heart and we realize, God has something He wants to say to us. For He speaks to us through His Word, His creation and in many delightful ways as He desires.

 

 And why not? For isn’t it to Him we daily seek for enlightenment and encouragement? Isn’t it He who desires nothing more than for us to come away and be alone with Him?

I share it with you now and pray you too will be blessed by God’s perfectly timing, in His perfect love in His amazing ways.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
God, what does it mean to be still and know You are God?
My child, what I mean is:
Though the earth be removed,
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with swelling,
Though the wind blow, Though the storms rage;
IN OTHER WORDS:
Though your bills are due,
Though they give you a hard time on your job,
Though your husband won't act right,
Though your wife won't act right,
Though your children are disobedient,
Though there's sickness in your body,

Though your enemies get on your NERVES;
Stop your WORRYING!
Stop your COMPLAINING!
Stop your DOUBTING!
Stop your FROWNING!
Cease your fears, and dry up those tears!
For I'm right here to comfort you,
I'm right here to guide you,
I'm right here to hold you up,
I'm right here to heal you,
I'm right here to deliver you.
So cast your cares upon me for I care for you.

My child this is what I mean by being still
And knowing I AM GOD.” ~Author Unknown~

 

“Be Still” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© October 30, 2014

We Never Stand 'It' Alone

Soaring bird in sunrise cloud by Dee Kamp

 

We Never Stand It Alone

How fantastic it is to be so close to another person, that when we have an appeal, or a great need, we only need to turn their way and without words they already know and understand.

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”

James 4:8 NLT

 
There is this wonderful mystery of God, that before we speak one word to Him, He knows our words, our greatest need. Even in our weakest appeal, when no words can form, His hand has slipped into ours and His comfort strengthens us. God doesn’t need our spoken words, He always hears the heart’s cry. 

We need never to analyze, specialize, or compromise unique words of prayer for our greatest hour of need—God already knows it.  He is closer than a whisper away.

No matter where we stand today, no matter what we face we do it all, hand in hand in with Jesus.  Confident of a His Divine nearness and faithful companionship we have His reassurance of the sweetness and joy of His presence.

When we know others are too busy, and some too far away, we are able by God’s Holy Spirit to feel His peace. That peace which passes all understanding, knowing we never face or stand whatever it is― alone. God hears our heart long before worry ever reaches our lips.

“Never fear, never lose heart. Draw nigh to Me, and in the nearness is all you need. My presence alone can transform conditions and lives—bring Harmony and Beauty, Peace and Love.” From God Calling, September 23.

“We Never Stand It Alone” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© October 28, 2014