Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Clothes

She had on her pink tights and tutu, and he had on his boots and khakis. Just dressed for errands....no particular place to go....Jennifer brought the kids by yesterday to grab blankets and babies they had left on Sunday and just sight of them alone was enough to melt my heart....and the hugs were just extras.

We do notice people and the way that they dress....and I don't think it is in a judgmental way...just in observation. When we get dressed each morning we have to make decisions...about what to wear. Some can just scoot in their closet and put on the closest thing....while others take more time to choose. But depending on where we are going and what is planned for our day...and who we are going to see or be hanging out with...we do make choices accordingly.
...and carefully.

I have had the opportunity to have several speaking engagements and I think one of my greatest insecurities has been not so much what I am going to say...becasue God has taught me to speak from my heart...but I am going to wear...ok don't laugh...I know some of you have felt the same way and asked the same question...but last year as I was getting ready for one of those times, I was pondering in my closet...and decided to ask God what he thought I should wear... I know that might sound "out there" but I have conversations with God all day about all kinds of things...Now you are waiting to hear what he said...aren't you. Well he did respond...not in the audio voice that is clearly heard but through my consciousness...becasue when I ask him for an answer...I totally expect Him to answer...and I expected him to say wear your blue jacket...or your pink jacket...but instead this is what I got:

"As long as you go wrapped in prayer, filled with MY Holy Spirit and shielded by MY love...nothing else matters..."

It was a one of those little moment lessons...but it is one I continue to carry.
For I of course was trying to bring God down to my level...and God continues to encourage me to think on HIs. Life is not about what we see so much as who we are. If we are wrapped in prayer....and if we are filled with His Holy Spirit and if we are shielded by His love then that is what people see. Everything else is secondary. Do I want people to see me or to see the God who lives within me.

My little grandchildren are darling...and for those of you who have them...you would say the same...though they are precious in their outer wear it is their love that radiates...their innocence...their curiosity...and your relationship with them that matters. So the next time you are wondering what to wear...and you want ot be looking good...just let the God who lives within you be the one that others see when they look at you...wrap up in prayer..and let God's love radiate from you.

God brings it all back to himself...whatever it is we ask of Him...he turns the spotlight back from us to HIM. For God is the one with all the answers...and all the answers stem from His love, His power, His wisdom, His strength and His authority....and oh His grace.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Dear Lord, Help me to remember when I go to get dressed each morning to wrap up in prayer...and be filled with your Holy Spirit and be shielded by your love. And if people glance my way...let them see you reflected in me. Amen .
Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

www.cathyjodeit.com

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