Driving down Aurora Avenue, I often see those windsock things in car lots that wiggle around. You know the ones? They look like clowns or aliens or something, and evidently they're supposed to get your attention and make you buy a used car... the air flows up through them and they bounce too-and-fro.... please tell me you know what I'm talking about or this post will make no sense.
Each time I see one of those floppy bobble-head things, I'm reminded of the Holy Spirit.
Stick with me here.
See, when we're filled with Gods Spirit, does that not mean that we move how He wants us to move, and walk where He wants us to walk? No matter how foolish we might look to others?
Thats how I feel sometimes... like a Jesus windsock/bobblehead. When I have the presence of mind to commit my day to him, I usually ask for things like "eyes to see what You see, Lord" or "help me not direct my day by my calendar. Keep me open to what You have in store."
Yesterday, I was listening to the new Jimmy Needham album "Nightlights." (Which comes out Tuesday, by the way.) I'm a big fan of his soulful sound, and theres a song on there called Just a Heartbeat. It has a fabulous groove and the chorus speaks straight to me:
You can do a lot with just a heartbeat
Give it two feet and suddenly you got me
Top it off with ears that listen closely
Then speak into me and put my mouth on repeat
How freaking simple. Perhaps its the sunshine, or the blue sky, or the piece of chocolate I just ate from my desk drawer, but today I just feel a little brighter: Jesus gave me a heartbeat. He gave me two feet. I know whats important to Him and therefore he can put my mouth on repeat. There IS something that He wants to accomplish through me today. And today, I am willing.
I really over complicate it most of the time. I think "I don't know my Bible well enough" or "I was really rude to that person who just called" or insert just about any other sinful, negative, guilt-ridden thought here. Then I get down on myself and it stops all my joy. AND it stops my actions. My windsock/bobblehead deflates to the ground. Its as if I intercepted the Holy Spirit and said "Hold on, You can't work through me yet. I need to get my act together and pray more first. Oh, and lose this last five pounds. Then You can have me."
Not today. Today, I wont put conditions on God. He can have me, just as I am. All the things on my calendar; all the things in my heart.
Sheesh, if this is what Jimmy Needhams music does to me, imagine what it can do for you :-)
I'm giving away a few copies of "Nightlights." But you have to promise me, if you win, you'll pop this uptempo, blue-eyed-soul record into your car and roll the windows down and let the wind blow through your hair.
Its the only way you can listen to his music.
If you're up to the task, leave a comment about a time where you felt like God was asking you to do something a little bit outside of your comfort zone, like my foolish car-lot windsocks.
I'll start:
Spirit 105.3 was out at a grocery store in Woodinville, and I had the presence of mind to pray before we set up the booth and start up the music.
"Lord, this time is Yours."
About an hour into our broadcast, I noticed an older woman walking towards me. She caught my eye because she reminded me of my Gran, who dresses really sparkly. :-) I noticed this woman was probably in her 60s or 70s, and she had gold bracelets and earrings on, and just seemed very "put together." I cant explain this next part further, but all I know is that I felt like she had taken extra time on her appearance that day, and needed someone to notice.
Then I heard a whisper in my mind:
Tell her she looks beautiful.
Now, I know that doesn't seem like a big request. But I'm also not in the habit of just walking around telling people they're beautiful. Perhaps I should. But I don't.
Anyway, as she got closer to our booth, I started to get apprehensive, the way I always do when I feel like maybe God is telling me to do something. Just when I was about to chicken out and keep my mouth shut, I caught her eye and I said "I just have to tell you.... you are beautiful."
She stopped.
She walked towards me slowly.
She put her hand on my hand and slowly said:
"I had a stroke 2 months ago. This is the first time I've left my house. I thought, maybe today I can just go to the grocery store."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
Sarah,
Your words are a gift! This post has also inspired me to do more. "Today, I wont put conditions on God. He can have me, just as I am. All the things on my calendar; all the things in my heart."
As for a time I recently felt called to step outside of my comfort zone:
About a month ago, I lost an envelop that had money in it, along with personal information. I was startled when I realized I lost it, but just accepted the fact that it was gone and there was nothing I could do. But, then I got a call from a stranger who had found it! The woman tracked me down and returned it to me. I felt incredibly blessed that someone would return it. I wanted to extend the blessing in some way.
So a few days later, I was driving down the road when I saw a woman sitting prominently on a street corner. She wasn't holding a cardboard sign or asking for handouts. No, her body posture was defeated, her head was in her hands...this was despair...and I could tell she was homeless.
I kept driving for a moment and then pulled a U-Turn. The Holy Spirit was asking me to step up.
I rolled down my window and asked the woman if she was ok...and then I approached her. She was wearing clothes that revealed that she was new to the streets. I gave her two Special K bars that I had in my car, 2 bottles of water, and the money from the envelop that had been returned to me earlier that week. Her body posture changed. She was no longer alone. No longer defeated.
I'm sorry this is so long. Thank you for your example and reminder to do more!
This is sad... I can't remember the last time that I was called to step outside my comfort zone. It's not that God hasn't done it, it's that I can't remember it. So now you've challenged me to be more aware! Thanks for the chance to win one of JN's cds!
Katie & Jessi - send me your addresses and I'll mail out your Jimmy Needham CDs! Email me at sarah@spirit1053.com
Dara, email me your address, too!
I am going to buy that cd, it sounds great, and he sounded great in studio. I also can't remember the last time I felt called to step outside the comfort zone. I keep saying I want to help someone, somehow. I just never know how to get started. I think I should let God lead me eh? That is so hard to do sometimes!
My mom has been gone 8 years this August. In March of 2007 I had a TKR and spent 3 days in a SNF. My roommate was a tiny, elderly, Asian lady. She reminded me so much of my mom. As I was packing to leave she asked me when I was coming back. I explained that I would not be returning. I told her she reminded me so much of my mom, and I asked her if I could give her a hug. We both had tears in our eyes as we hugged, and for a moment I felt my moms embrace.
Friday, May 14, 2010
*I had to correct the typo and grammar*
2nd time this month you your blog has moved me to tears! sheesh ;)
God laid it on my heart to reach out and invite over someone who mentioned she had recently moved here to Spokane and had yet to meet anyone. It was out of my comfort zone, given that I only knew of her through my online Etsy team.
Come to find out, the day previous to me writing her, and overwhelmed with loneliness she had been on a walk with her toddler and had called out to God, asking Him to send her a friend. Between me & my girlfriends, she now has several. :)
In these small ways, I am continuing to learn to quickly and open heartedly answer, "yes Lord, here I am, use me!" Does He deserve any less?
A Couple of weeks ago I was going through a McDonalds drive through and I got a feeling in my gut to do a random act of kindness and pay for the car behind me. That was really out of my comfort zone. I started looking into my rear view mirror to see who was behind me and I thought..."well that guy doesn't look like he needs someone to pay for his meal", "..what if he's buying food for a whole crew of people", "...what if the cashier makes him pay too and rips us both off"....lot of what ifs. But I realized that it didn't matter who he was and what he was buying, if this is something that God is putting in my heart to do then I need to just do it.
I gave the cashier money and told her that I was paying for the person behind me too and to make sure that she told him that it's been paid for (I tried to make it sound like I knew him, in case if she wanted to rip me off :) ha ha silly me ).
After the fact it seems like the person was following me for a while, I was so worried and thought.."O'my, what did I do!? Now he's following me. what did I get myself into??!!..what kind of girl pays for a guys meal??", but then he turned on a side street and I went home. I called a friend right away and told her all about it. She asked me, .."so what did he buy?". I looked at the receipt and I could tell he had bought food for his family..... :) ha ha He even saved me money, he hadn't bought any drinks....
I might never know how it impacted that person, but I know how it impacted me. It feels amazing!
Hi Sheaffer family - send me you address at sarah@spirit1053.com and I'll send you a Jimmy CD :-)
Sweet Sarah,
Thank you for always being so genuine. You will never know how deeply that has impacted your listeners. I am old enough to be your mom, but it feels like you are my little sister (the one I am still asking my Mom for). You share the ups and the downs of life so freely....and you always let us know where God showed up in the process.
Thank you for helping each of us keep our eyes on the only One who can make our life count!
Much love,
Lori
(your big sister) ;)
My husband and I went out to eat late at night and ended up going to a Dennys. There were two girls that came in shortly after us and sat down and started talking. We overheard part of their conversation and one of the girls didn't have a home and was moving from place to place. She wanted to try and get a job too.
As we were hearing this my husband made the choice to pay for their meal. We let the waitress know and left. The cool thing about it was it was a complete God thing because their meal ended up being the same price as ours. It always feels good blessing someone!
Lori and Pam, Send me your address and I'll send you a CD! (In case you guys arent getting the drift here, you are all winners. Shoot, even if you dont leave a comment, email me your address and I'll send you a CD. I have a few more left!)
Sarah~
I just wanted to say how much I love reading your blogs! You such a way with words and are such a blessing!
I love how God blesses our socks off when we're obedient to his nudging. Thank you for listening to that nudge. You made that lady's day and many more to follow, I am sure of it.
This blog reminded me of a song by Lifehouse called "Fool", as a matter of fact, your title is even a lyric in the song :)
Fool - Lifehouse
SEEMS MY OWN ARROGANCE HAS KNOCKED ME OFF MY FEET AGAIN
WHEN YOU KNOW I'M CRAWLING TO YOU AS FAST AS I CAN
FIRST TEACH ME TO WALK
AND THEN I'LL LEARN TO DANCE FOR YOU
LIKE AN HONEST CLUMSY CLOWN
TRIPPING ALONG THE WAY
CAUSE I AM REACHING FOR YOU
BUT MY ARMS AREN'T LONG ENOUGH
AND I AM RUNNING TO YOU
IF I COULD GO A LITTLE FASTER
AND I AM CRYING TO YOU
BUT I CAN'T HEAR MY OWN VOICE
AND I AM WAITING FOR YOU
AND TRYING NOT TO FALL ASLEEP NOW
(CHORUS)
CAUSE I AM CLUMSILY DANCING AWAY THIS FEAR
I AM STUMBLING CLOSER TO YOU AND I AM
TUMBLING OVER MY PRIDE
I WILL BE A FOOL FOR YOU
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING AS YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME
ARE YOU FRUSTRATED WITH MY INCONSISTENCY
OR INTRIGUED THAT I CAN FIND THE WILL TO GET BACK UP OR
MAYBE ALL OF THIS IS SIMPLY AMUSING
CAUSE I AM REACHING FOR YOU
BUT MY ARMS AREN'T LONG ENOUGH
AND I AM RUNNING TO YOU
IF I COULD GO A LITTLE FASTER
AND I AM CRYING TO YOU
BUT I CAN'T HEAR MY OWN VOICE
AND I AM WAITING FOR YOU
AND TRYING NOT TO FALL ASLEEP NOW
Post a Comment