My daughter celebrated her 8th birthday this past week. At the top of her wish list?
A little bit of money (her words, not mine).
I read her list aloud to my precious group of “ancients” back in my former town (I had to return this week for a Dr.’s visit, scheduling it on a Tuesday to make sure I didn’t miss the weekly lunch gathering). When I finished reading her list, not only were there chuckles a plenty, but also there was money flying at me from every direction.
“Give this to Amelia… a little bit of money from me, one of the ancients.”
On and on it arrived into my lap, and in the end, Amelia had more than a little bit of money. She had forty-two dollars worth of money! Needless to say, her heart smiled big as she opened up her unexpected treasure. The moment reminded me, yet again, of an important truth regarding our God and his surprises.
He always surpasses our expectations. He can’t help himself. He’s God. Exceeding expectations is a quality built into his character.
We can’t always see it; further still, there are seasons when we refuse to believe it. I know. I’ve been there recently. My little bit of money has seemed paltry at times. Accordingly, I’ve kept my expectations pretty low. These are the steps I’ve lived. I’m not proud of them. I’m just keeping it real with you.
But so is God… keeping it real. And just this morning, he surprised me with a little bit of something…
Himself… right around 11:45 AM while sitting amongst the few saints gathered in corporate worship at Christ UMC.
I don’t know if it was the text that was being preached from John 4—the interchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Or, perhaps the preacher—he has a way of making my heart skip a beat from time to time. Or, maybe the fact that my family was gathered all around me. Regardless of the externals, somewhere around 11:45 AM, my husband’s words admonished us to consider “true worship” and the “audience of One” who awaited our worship on Sunday mornings—the One who rends the heavens in order to get a closer look at the two or three gathered to entreat the Lover of their souls. As the words were falling from his lips, I felt the tremor of all creation radiating through my body. From head to toe, outward and in full measure, the Spirit of God resonated with his Spirit living in me, and I was surprised by the gift.
Not just a little bit of God. A whole big bunch of God. And for the first time since being in my new house of worship, I felt a pulse—the living, breathing pulse of heaven, convincing me that God is alive and active and on the move amongst our lampstand. I think others felt it as well, and I am glad for some corporate understanding at this level. I don’t think God’s pulse beats in isolation. There’s something about the gathering of two or three hearts in unified purpose that seems to manifest the presence of the Almighty—one of the primary reasons for our “doing church” as a family.
“I’m counting on the probability that when our Sunday gatherings commence, there will be at least two or three others who have gathered with a similar intention. I want my children [as well as myself] to be in the path of other believers, giving them the opportunity for the sacred intersection of their hearts with the heart of the living God, who knit them together in his likeness.” (pg. 135, “peace for the journey: in the pleasure of his company”).
God is not “dead” in this place. God’s pulse has never been absent from this new congregation. Rather, God’s just been waiting for his children to put his presence at the top of their wish list. To dare to ask for a little bit of himself in hopes and in expectation for eventual fulfillment. Today, I received an inclination of just what that might mean for all of us in the days to come—one sacred dollar at a time, collected and gathered over time, until our laps are overloaded with joy and merriment for the lavish outpouring from his heart into ours. He just can’t help himself. He’s God, and exceeding our expectations is built into his character.
Today, you and I stand on the threshold of a new week. Many are the plans we’ve made; many of them based on necessity, on survival, on making it through another 24/7. Some of us enter the week full of expectation; some with little more than limited hope to make it through. Some of us have God’s presence at the top of our wish list; some of us have asked for lesser things. Regardless of what we’ve asked for or how the level of our anticipation currently measures, God, too, stands at the threshold of our new week. He walks it with us; not apart from us, and if we could get an inclination of just how much he wants to bless us with the revelation of his presence, I’m certain that we’d ask for more. Not just a little bit of God, but rather a whole big bunch of him. That kind of asking is in keeping with our God and his “real.” That’s just how much he wants to be known by his children.
Oh for faith to ask him for more. For faith to trust him more. For faith to expect his more. For faith to unwrap his more. May God extend his heart of mercy into your faith this week and surprise you with a little bit of himself until his pulse multiplies and gathers to become the great expectation of your heart.
Let’s unwrap our awesome God together. I’d love to know how our Father reveals his presence to you this week. As always…
Peace for the journey,
~elaine
PS: The winners for Sandi Patty’s new book will be announced with my next post. There’s still time to enter. Just add a comment to that post, and you’re in! Shalom.
What a precious picture of Amelia! I know she was overjoyed!!
The one consistent thing that I ask from the Lord is His wisdom. I find that I am desperate for it. I made so many poor decisions and choices earlier in my life and I desperately want to make His choices now and for the remainder of my walk on this earth. The beautiful part is that He gives His wisdom to all who asks in overflowing measure. Praise God!!
Leah
This precious photo of Amelia is as adorable as her phone manners!
God has spoken to me most recently through the prayers of others. A few gather each Sunday morning at our church to pray for that morning's preaching and an outpouring of God's Spirit onto and in the hearts of those listening. We also usually pray for missionaries – our own as well as others. Hearing the tears for the 10 recently martyred in Afghanistan and then the hope and confidence as some remembered that martyrs' blood is never spilt in vain, I wanted more than ever to live a life that counts – not in my works known by man but in an obedient heart that only God knows and can see.
Elaine, I have wanted to start reading the material you wrote before I met you here in blogland and I was again moved by the prayer of someone else. From what l think was your first post, you wrote:
"Father, take my words…my raw, unedited emotions…and script them for your eternal purposes. Let me not be afraid of my voice. Instead, let my voice be the instrument that you use to sing your peace, your grace, and your love to world that longs to hear a better Song. A world that needs to sing a better Song. You are that Song, Lord. You have written your melody upon my heart. Today, I release my voice to sing its grace. Amen."
Your desire to be "keeping it real" has remained consistent. I'm glad to know you, ladyfriend, singer of a better Song.
Love to you,
Judith
Oh yes. So much more than we can hope or imagine. Asking right now. Blessings, my friend!
It never ceases to amaze me how generous God has been in my life; not always with things material, but in terms of inner contentedness and blessings.
I remember reading a book many years ago called, "Your God is Too Small". It whetted my appetite for more of Him, more of His big stuff – wisdom, understanding, grace. Even so, I still find myself thinking too small when it comes to living it out.
Happy Birthday to Amelia. I'm thinking there's something prophetic about her having been showered in abundant blessings, as if her days to come will be likewise.
Hugs,
Kathleen
Once again your post brough tears to my eyes–I won't say why here but you encourge me daily. I'm glad you are doing better and better!
Elaine, this was super! It was like water on parched ground to me! I feel so suppressed in the writing arena just now for some reason and so, when I can't write, it's SO good to read something like this! And as I was finishing the read the lyrics to "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus…just to take Him at His Word"….come rushing through my mind.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Can you imagine Father God and His joy right now as we determine to seek His presence and make it top priority? I'm thinking of how He is more than willing to pour out His blessings. Your little girl is adorable.
Like Marilyn, I thought of this song when I read your post:
'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
Yes ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
(Refrain)
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
This part of your post really impacted me:
Oh for faith to ask him for more. For faith to trust him more. For faith to expect his more. For faith to unwrap his more. May God extend his heart of mercy into your faith this week and surprise you with a little bit of himself until his pulse multiplies and gathers to become the great expectation of your heart.
Oh for that faith to trust God to reveal himself in a mighty and powerful way in my brother's life, and in the lives of our family.
Love you
This totally reinforced what God must be trying to get through to me. It started with our devotional reading from Streams in the Desert Volume 2 this morning–Job 26:7 "He…hangeth the earth upon nothing".
God created the universe out of nothing…He can supply all our need whether He has anything to begin to work with or not…Trust Him and He will see you through, though He has to make your supplies out of nothing…
Then comes THIS post! I pray that it begins to rain, then pour on your congregation.
I think you're back to your "old" form, Elaine! Maybe that's not a good way to put it….but I mean it in the best way 🙂
that is so very precious how God blessed your little girl, great photo of her too, blessings, Barbara
My friend, how perfect the timing of this bog and of your devotional pages I am reading through today. I am in a desert…at a crossroad so I keep praying Ps 119: 36&133 "turn my heart towards your statues and not to selfish gain…direct my footsteps accoring to your word; let no sin rule over me".
Pray I will come out of this desert soon, to identify and remove the sin I feel has directed my footsteps to my "now" so i will be able to say "I felt the tremor of all creation radiating through my body. From head to toe, outward and in full measure, the Spirit of God resonated with his Spirit living in me".
Its been a rough weekend.
Believing Him~Pamela
Oh I echo your words here all of them and in particular these last ones:
"For faith to trust him more. For faith to expect his more. For faith to unwrap his more. May God extend his heart of mercy into your faith this week and surprise you with a little bit of himself until his pulse multiplies and gathers to become the great expectation of your heart."
I've been desireing more of Him. He's more than enough for me and His promises sure!
Unwrapping and Expecting Much of God [with you],
Stephanie
He unveiled His presence in speaking to my heart about worry and about what to clothe myself with!
Happy Birthday Amelia… love how the Ancients showered her with a little bit of money! Thankful that His pulse is beating amongst His people!
Make sure Amelia gets a big Birthday hug from us! Loved your post!
No tears for me this time…your words brought a smile…and then laughter from way down deep…at the goodness of God!
Unwrapping my portion now…
Your daughter's smile is priceless…as was her wish list…
Happy Birthday Amelia, an 8 year old with a purse full of dollars!
Elaine, this was beautiful, beginning with the picture of Amelia in the precious hat, and the words… "He always surpasses our expectations. He can't help himself. He's God."… I just love that, and all the rest of this post. How encouraging and what a beautiful reminder of who He is!
Hugs!
Just a little bit of…(I asked BIG and didn't receive and now I barely ask for even a little bit.)
Your girl's smile and request make me glad.
First Birthday blessings to your beautiful daughter!!!
Love the photos!!! And love the message!!!
You said it all here Elaine:
"He always surpasses our expectations. He can’t help himself. He’s God. Exceeding expectations is a quality built into his character."
Amen and Amen!!
P.S. I thank GOD you were blessed in my heart sharing to you in the card. To God be the glory. Love ya!
I, too, was thinking about thresholds today as I was preparing a post for midweek…
God blessed so much yesterday when we helped Kelli & Jake make their move. I had been wanting some time with them just to share stories about the wedding and honeymoon and was afraid we wouldn't get a chance for some private time (others were around helping with the move, too). Everyone else left earlier than I anticipated, and we were left with close to three hours with them before we had to head for home. God knew what this mother's heart needed and graciously gave it. He's so good to us!
what a darling girl! she looks just like you elaine!!
awesome post. i love that the pulse in the church is still beating. just needs to be revamped a little!
wifeforthejourney:
How is it that I am still suprised at God's lavish generosity? From the first days of my faith God has been exceeding my expectations, and continues to do so. From my own life and an individual, to our marriage, life as a parent, a pastor, a friend – God's "little bit" really is more than (as Paul says in Eph. 3) I could ever ask or imagine!
Love you,
Billy
Just reading your post today gives me a bit of God. Not just a little bit…. but a whole lot! Praise God Elaine.
I almost didn't leave a comment because, after 22 of them, you may be filled to the brim with encouragement and confirmation.
We are going through Max Lucado's book "3:16" in our S.S class. I am personally teaching 3 lessons. I have been absolutely amazed at how much I have learned from this one little verse from having to study to teach it.(I enjoy teaching, but it's a bit out of my comfort zone). Believe and Receive–that's all we have to do. It seems simple but trusting is so hard at times!
Great surprise for your daughter and a great post. I agree with Rebecca, I think you're back!.
This post…amen!! Looking for the kleenex, and we are out!!! Wal-mart tomorrow!! Mercy! Elaine, holy goose bumps from your write tonight.
Loved the picture of Miss A!! Precious! And, thank you for the prayers for Kristi and Dwayne. She had a setback last night, is better today, and hoping to be home by Friday! Please keep them coming, sweet friend!
Love you!
Lovely post! I enjoyed it very much.
Beautiful Elaine. I especially loved the part of your story where God fell on you. I guess so long as He's not tripping over you, that's good? I guess when it comes to God, we're all in THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!
She is just so cute!!! I don't know why, but I always think of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird when I see her.
I have been waiting for this one…
🙂
I'm glad to read what you've put down here. I have been heartily praying for such and will continue to do so.
Sending my love, Faith Elaine.
Oh my friend…reading your posts tonight I am receiving so much more than "a little bit". My dry and thirsty heart is being filled with the quenching of His presence and Spirit.
Thank you for the filling,
Joy