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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I Said Yes!

There are days when giving up even five minutes of our time seems impossible. In fact, some of us would rather give up five bucks rather than give up five minutes. Time is our most precious asset. That, I believe, is why God wants it.

"You shall have no other gods before me.
Deuteronomy 5:7
God will ask for that which is most dear to us. Just ask Abraham. He knew all too well the consequences of putting anything, or in his case, anyone (Isaac), before God. Thankfully, he chose to say yes to God and not to his flesh. I was asked to do the same thing.

There is one day every year that I deem "mine." I can choose what I want to do that day and I can choose what to purchase with the money that is given to me for this particular occasion. This year God wanted it.

"What?" is what I remember thinking when I heard Him speak to my heart, "Offer to care for her kids tonight so she can get some rest."

"But, God! It is my birthday tomorrow!" I argued.

"Would you want someone to do the same for you?" He asked.

*sigh*

So I offered to babysit for a friend... on my birthday. No, I am not saint and I don't want any accolades. I can think of many other things that I could have done on my birthday but watching my friend's four children was not one of them. But I'm glad that I did it. She deserved it. She needed it. I thank God for asking me. And it doesn't stop there.

A few days later I received a monetary gift to celebrate my birthday. My first thoughts were that God was blessing me for giving up the day and so now I was going to be able to buy the scrapbook supplies that I have been wanting. Then we got to church.

God told me to put the money in the offering basket as it came around. I dismissed the thoughts as not being God because I was certain that He had given me this money as a blessing. However, I wanted to be sure and so I said to God that if the offering basket were to come back around that I would put the money in. I was thrilled when I saw them take the baskets to the back. Okay relieved is more like it.

Next, they showed us some video clips of children in an orphanage in India that we had given nearly 85,000 dollars to. I looked at their little faces and saw the joy and the peace of God radiating in them. Then I heard them say, "I hope you love God the way we do."

Can you say conviction? I all but begged God to bring that offering back around. Guess what? He did. They announced a second offering would be taken and this time I didn't hesitate to put my birthday money in. I knew what God wanted at that point. He wanted me to sow this year of my life to Him. I wrote that down in my notebook as I pondered what He might ask of me this year. Then, as our pastor started to preach, I wrote down the title of his message: Extreme Generosity. Coincidence? I don't think so.

He wants me to generously give of my time this year to serve Him. I said yes!



I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: In Pursuit of Proverbs 31

In Pursuit of Proverbs 31

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14 Comments:

Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Ouch. Thank you for this. I think. :-)

April 29, 2008 at 8:25 AM  
Blogger lori said...

It's about LOVE! Girl...and you LIVE out that GREAT commandment!
My b-day is Friday as you well know...I'll be teaching at the Homeschool group and instead as seeing it as something I "HAVE" to do...I'm turning it into something that "I am called to do in LOVE!" Thank you for that FABULOUS perspective!!
You got me!!:)
lori

April 29, 2008 at 8:29 AM  
Blogger Colleen said...

I never would have thought to connect the dots between the precious asset of time and Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac. But, now that you've brought it to my attention, I can look back and testify to the times that I did give of my time and was amazed at how God seemed to double my time in other areas. Malachi 3:10 comes to mind (regarding giving and being overwhelmed with the blessings received).

Thank you for pointing that out!

April 29, 2008 at 10:58 AM  
Blogger Heather said...

Wow - Amy that was awesome!

April 29, 2008 at 1:08 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Great devotion, thank you.

April 29, 2008 at 3:10 PM  
Blogger Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Awesome, Amy! I am so glad you said, "yes", Sister!

I can't wait to see how God is going to work through you this year.

April 29, 2008 at 3:15 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

Hi, Amen and God bless.....Cindi
Have lots more happy and healthy birthdays.....Cindi

April 29, 2008 at 6:13 PM  
Blogger Rachel Harris said...

Awesome post as always. You continue to be a blessing to all those around you :-)

Thanks for the conviction this evening... it's always fun when the Spirit hits you over the head!

April 29, 2008 at 6:29 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

Oh, that was good stuff! I've had some moments like this where I thought, "Are you kidding me, God?" I found out that He doesn't kid. If He says it, He means it. But the blessings that follow when you are completely obedient are incredible.

April 29, 2008 at 9:20 PM  
Blogger Melli said...

You know you did it just right... you don't NEED any of us to tell you. God already did. I LOVE it when that happens! Praise Him!!!

April 29, 2008 at 9:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amy --

I watch you give of yourself all the time in Christs name on the internet!! Thank you for being so generous and setting an example for me!!

God bless,
Sallie

April 30, 2008 at 2:18 PM  
Blogger Vicki said...

Such a lovely example of loving God...responding to His gentle tug-of-heart. Even in doing so, we experience grace...again.

May 1, 2008 at 12:08 PM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

AMY---that was so perfect! God desires for us to give with an open heart and hand...sometimes He directs...and it just blows me away when it comes pouring back on...You really blessed me with this. :)

May 1, 2008 at 3:18 PM  
Blogger Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

You are precious. Listening to God even when we don't want to---so beautiful isn't it? This really was a fantastic contribution. Thanks for writing.

May 1, 2008 at 3:28 PM  

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