I have had to do more work the past two days for the office than I have for awhile. Had to fix right about 24 letters, schedule numerous meetings... just grateful I only needed to attend one! It's been a lot of 'busy work'. Hopefully, today will calm down.
I was asked to bring dessert to our gathering on Sunday...Easter Sunday. Makes me remember Easter baskets for my children. What fun it was putting them together! Warms my heart to think of them. I wonder if they ever remember the little things, like Easter baskets, or Valentine candy.... ah... there I go again... down memory lane. I miss my children being little ones. Of course my memories aren't always theirs... perhaps I enhance them more with the desire to have been a good mom and loving them more than anything else.
Anyway- desserts. Still trying to decide on what to take. Thinking maybe I'll just go buy something. Then, with my love of cooking, think about lemon meringue pie, or key lime pie, or even my cranberry apple cobbler. Hmmm..... oh, I know! Maybe a french silk pie! I don't mess with making the crust.... but love to come up with the fillings! Have I made you drool yet?
For some reason I'm thinking about McAllister's this morning. Maybe because I picked up salad from there yesterday for dinner. Their salads are totally awesome. Their sandwiches are good too. And, if you love baked potatoes - oh my - (have I shared this before?) you would not be disappointed! Most times the baked potato is about (at least) 10 inches long, and about 3 inches wide - but then, they do split it open - but then they fill it full of whatever you want on it - vegetables, or meat, or just everything... hubby loves them and gets them 99% of the time we go there. Prices are decent too. People are friendly and they refill your drinks if you want, and they even (most times) come by your table to see if you need anything. We enjoy their food - whether take-out (I use the app and order online - and I earn points either online or in person - AND it doesn't take long to earn a reward such as a free entree when you purchase one. Might have to stop there and pick up something for lunch since I have an appointment in that area today at 11:15AM. Sounds like a plan.
Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT): "As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
When Jesus called Matthew, He was calling a tax collector - a man the people hated. Isn't it amazing that a person with the reputation like Matthew's would be chosen to write one of the four Gospels? Your background may be a shameful thing. You may think your poor reputation or the hateful response you have aroused in other people has disqualified you from being used to build God's Kingdom. But you're wrong. If God would choose and use a person such as Matthew, He can certainly choose and use you. Whatever your background or your mode of operation may have been in years gone by, God isn't finished writing the story of your life. He is still going to use you, if you are willing.
I have shared with you many times a lot of my background, a lot of my life - bad choices and all. But God. He chose me and has used me to bring others to Him. It is humbling when someone from years past will remind me that because I taught them in kindergarten church, or lead a Bible study class, I helped them follow Jesus. Many times, at the time of teaching, one never thinks of the influence they may have. I'm grateful that when I hear these things, and very humbled that God would use someone like me to lead someone to Him, I can see where God had (and has!) His hand upon me.
And you know what? God has His hand on you too! It doesn't matter what your past WAS... yes, it is WAS because it is in the past. It's amazing how God can take what WAS and bring it to IS.. who you can be in Christ. He's waiting for you to say 'Yes' to Him. As I have shared before, one doesn't have to be perfect to be a follower of Jesus. One just has to be willing. Jesus takes care of the rest. If Jesus can forgive me for my past; trust me, He will forgive you of yours. We aren't perfect (only Jesus is), but we are loved.
Blessings!
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