Good Gifts...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here!

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

I'm having a little trouble with the font function on my blog and I apologize for the two font styles and sizes on today's post.

Before I get into my topic, I have some business to take care of. Today I get to announce the winner of the $50.00 VISA gift card and the five recipients of a free copy of my new release, The Uncommon Woman.

Drum roll please...

And the winner of the $50.00 VISA gift card is: Denise! Denise, I don't have your last name but you posted on my blog in August. Please email me at info@susielarson.com to claim your prize. I know your email address so I'll recognize your address when you contact me. :)

And the five winners of free copies of 'The Uncommon Woman' are as follows:

Kelly F

Loree Arington

Anna J

Clair

Michele 

Please contact me at: info@susielarson.com to claim your book.

Congratulations one and all!

And one more point of business: As usual, this month I'll award a $10.00 gift card to Caribou Coffee to someone who posts on my blog. We're entering the fall season and for many of us, a warm cup of java soothes the soul. :)

Now, on to my topic.

This morning during my devotional time, I spent some time reading the Gospel of Mark. Quite a number of verses impacted me but for some reason, this one especially jumped out at me:

For truly I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward (Mark 9:41).

A cup of water. A small thing, no? 

Well, not really. Not ever.

Has anyone given you a cup of water recently?

I can think of a number of instances for me personally:

• My husband and I volunteered to host the Varsity/JV football(and their friends) safe party at our house. We said we'd do it if someone could help us with the food. My friend Kay cooked sloppy joes for 125 football players and their friends because she's Martha, and I'm not. Amazing. 


• One of my mentors asked me to come over for a snack and a time of prayer because during her prayer time, God spoke to her about me and she had some things to share. 


• My son Jordan, before he left for school yesterday, prayed that God would heal me. 


• A woman I'd never met face-to-face, offered to organize a speaking event and book signing because she believes in the things God has given me to say.  


•  A friend has volunteered to come to my house and help organize my files (and my closets and my drawers) so I can start out my speaking season fresh and ready.     

God cherishes the gift of these precious saints so much that He Himself has written down their deeds in the Book of Remembrance. And though I'll find my own ways to express my gratitude, God considers their gifts important enough that He Himself will also return a blessing. 

Their gifts to me are divine and refreshing. And to God, those gifts bring a little of Heaven to earth.

What about you? Has anyone recently blessed you with a cup of water because you belong to Him?

Pause for a moment and consider the idea that those things are sacred and precious to God. Pray for those people and return a blessing to them.

Now let's look at this from another angle. 

Proverbs 3:27 says this:

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Give some things away today.

Give away a smile. Give away your place in line. Offer up a prayer for someone you don't particularly like. Send a card. Write an email. Make a call. Pay for someone's coffee. Forgive a debt. Forgive an offense. Offer mercy instead of judgment. 

Because you belong to God, and because it matters to Him that we bless others, give, give, and give some more. Not because it makes you look good, but because it makes Him glad.

Let's take one more angle and then I'll let you go for the day. :)

Read this verse:

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how-much-more will your Father in Heaven, give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11)!

Daily, God pours out His blessings on a waiting and watching world. The problem is, most of us aren't waiting or watching.

Jesus loves to give good gifts - gifts that are specifically designed with you in mind. 

The Bible says that He delights in every detail of your life.

Think about that.

Don't be afraid to ask Him for gifts, for intervention, and for a cup of water when you're in a dry and weary land.

Ask, seek, knock. For those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; and those who knock, the door will be opened for them.

Be thankful for the countless ways people come through for you. Notice their deeds and take them to heart, because God certainly does.

Be a blessing and give something away every single day. Your load will be lighter and you'll bless another.

Be sure to ask God for what you need and thank Him for the ways He has come through for you - and for the ways that He will most certainly come through for you. 

Aren't good gifts just the best?

Until next week~

Comments

[Kelly F]

Hi Susie!

Wednesdays are now my fav days for some reason :)

I got my books, too!

A blessing that comes to mind, and related to how "The Uncommon Woman" is helping me, my neighbor has had an ABUNDANCE of tomatoes this summer. She brought over a second batch to us the other evening while we were all outside. I got off my porch to greet her, and tell her what I did w/ the first bag of cherry tomatoes. She seemed pleased that I made a salad to share w/ our playgroup picnic. My son couldn't wait, and he experienced the joy of having those cherry tomatoes explode in his mouth, knowing it was ok to be messy! Well, my husband suggested I should make something out of the tomatoes FOR HER--wow, pang of guilt pierced me, I looked at her and she smiled and said "oh please no, I don't need anymore tomatoes!" I know my Heavenly Father's love and His FREE gift of grace, and I know my sweet neighbor's love for me and her FREE gift of tomatoes darn it! Seeing my son Kevin squish those in his mouth was an unexpected blessing to her I'm sure!

Hubby's learning. Grace, Tomatoes, a hardworking guy like him can't fully grasp that some things are indeed free!

Love and Peace,Kelly in Ohio

[Rebecca]

Yes, good gifts are so "good!" This makes me think about KTIS's blessing others while at drive throughs. I have done this and it's amazing how even the cashier's reaction is simply stunned. Like why would you do this? Of course I do this for God's glory not mine.

Also, with school started I'm praying for my kids teachers daily. I want the Lord to shine through my children's obedience to Him. I want those teachers to say "There's something different about your child/children." Me and my husband are constantly humbled how God has turned a bad situation (getting pregnant at sixteen) into something so great!

Thanks for reminding me how wonderful "good gifts" are:) Bless you, ~Rebecca

[Sharon P]

Hi Susie,

I believe I was Spirit-led to read your blog tonight. Its message has been my refreshing "cup of water" tonight!

Your words reminded me of the encounter recorded in John 4 of the Samaritan woman and the Messiah at the well. He told her--IF YOU KNEW the gift God has for you and WHO I AM, you would ask ME for a drink and I would give you LIVING WATER!!

God desires to give us the best gift and the only gift that will truly satisfy us. As we give of ourselves in love to each other, we are letting the "living water" overflow from us. I hope that as believers, we may be conduit vessels of grace, kindness, genuine love and compassion. Our neighbors, brothers and sisters desperately need us to!

Here is a touching poem that resonates the same theme:

All it takes is one encouraging word, or one hug, to leave a deep impression on a heart.

All it takes is one person, speaking the truth, to change a life forever.

All it takes is someone saying "I am praying" to give enough courage to face one more day.

All it takes is one smile, or one song, to make a heart burst with joy.

All it takes is a moment to say hi, to start a friendship that lasts for life.

All it takes is a reminder that you care, to make a spirit soar.

All it takes is a smile, a hug, or a kind note, to touch a heart.

All it takes is love, to shine God's light to the world.

Abundant blessings to you for serving your Lord so faithfully.

Love in our Lord from your sister and fellow sojourner,

Sharon

[Vera]

It was a blessing to read and be reminded of a simple cup of water today. I had the wonderful opportunity to launch our son to college last week. He will spend the next four years on the East Coast. For these Midwest parents, that means brief, but sweet visits home on breaks. I have prayed for opportunities to reach out in love to students at our local university who are far from their parents...a quick trip to WalMart, homebaked cookies, whatever would minister to them, because there are two Mom's who have offered to do the same for my son, in my absence. Can you imagine the impact we could all make in lives of vulnerable college students if we reached out to them with the love of Christ, with just a cup of water?

[Vera]

It was a blessing to read and be reminded of a simple cup of water today. I had the wonderful opportunity to launch our son to college last week. He will spend the next four years on the East Coast. For these Midwest parents, that means brief, but sweet visits home on breaks. I have prayed for opportunities to reach out in love to students at our local university who are far from their parents...a quick trip to WalMart, homebaked cookies, whatever would minister to them, because there are two Mom's who have offered to do the same for my son, in my absence. Can you imagine the impact we could all make in lives of vulnerable college students if we reached out to them with the love of Christ, with just a cup of water?

[Sara Cox]

Susie as always you say just what I need to hear. I have actually been thinking I want to DO more. Where and how can I best serve. I love making things for people just because they inspire me. Now that school has begun I look forward to giving my gifts to the classrooms.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kelly,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to comment on your post. I absolutely LOVED your tomato story! What a delicious, wonderful picture of love and kindness. And sometimes God wants us just to receive, receive, and receive some more. We feel like we should get up and do...something, but for the moment, God just wants to bless us. I love that.

[Susie Larson]

Rebecca,I'm a bit late on getting these replies posted, but I have to say, your posts always bless me! Isn't it just amazing how God HAS taken what the enemy meant for evil, and completely turned it around for good? You and your family are beautiful reminders of God's redeeming power!Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Sharon,I'm back from my travels and a little behind on my correspondence. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to post here! I love the poem you shared and was so encouraged by your words. You referred to the story of the woman at the well. Do you know that's one of my favorite stories? I have a whole message based on that story. I often give that message at retreats. I think it's my favorite one. :) Bless you for stopping by!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Vera,I LOVED your post!My oldest son graduated from college last spring. He also lived ten hours away. We only saw him a few times each year (but we talked often on the phone). Your ministry to local college students is such an amazing idea! For many years we hosted a weekly high school cell group in our home. The leaders were often college students. i just love young people. And it was fun loving on them since one of my own was so far away.Bless you!

[Susie Larson]

Sara,May God use you greatly in your kids' schools and may you live and breathe with a divine sensitivity that allows you to bring refreshment wherever you go.Blessings to you~

[Kim]

Susie~Thanks so much for hosting the safe party! Although our son Andrew doesn't play football..he attended and we thank-you for opening your home.

And, I agree...sweet Kay IS Martha! What a blessing she is.Kim~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kim,

Nice to meet you! I'd love to meet you face to face!

I'll tell you, what a nice group of kids we have in this community. Do you know we had about 120 high school football players and their friends at our house and there wasn't one single issue or incident? The kids ate food, laughed together, and were perfectly wonderful. Wow, we are blessed. :)