Wednesday, January 20, 2021

😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace be with you.  Last Friday, while enjoying a day away from the office, I contacted some companies to research different aspects of our home building project.  One of those contacts was a mortgage person that I worked with years ago when I worked in the real estate industry.  It had been a few years since we last spoke, so when I left Joanna a message, I said “You may remember me from…”  She returned my call about an hour later and said, “Of course I remember you…You gave me one of my most treasured gifts.”  Wow!  I was really caught of guard.  It’s not often that we hear those words spoken to us.  But I was also very curious.  What was it that I gave her that was such a treasured gift?  I had to ask.  Joanna went on to describe a cross I gave her, that is my favorite version of a crucifix.  It’s called “Gift of the Spirit”.  She also told me that she keeps it in her office and looks at it often.  My heart was so filled with joy.  I don’t think I could have smiled any bigger.  It absolutely filled my heart that God allowed me to be His messenger like that, but also (although years later) allowed me to know how He was working through me.  That is such a humbling experience.    

I think I originally purchased the Gift of the Spirit crucifix for myself maybe around 2006.  When you walk into our home, it will probably be one of the first things you’ll see, being that He sits on a table right by the front door.  Since I purchased mine, I have, when prompted by the Spirit, given this crucifix to a variety of individuals at different times.  I pray that all of those families have felt and continue to feel His presence and peace through their crucifix.  In case you’re curious, here’s a picture of mine and yes, I do keep that tag sitting on the base of the cross.  Take a moment now to read it.

Is it a coincidence that I start my Wednesday message with “Christ’s peace be with you.”?  No, it isn’t.  The Holy Spirit calls us to action for a purpose.  We absolutely need more peace in this world and the only peace worth anything is peace in and with Christ.  I first started beginning my Wednesday message with “Christ’s peace be with you.” on 01/09/2019.  Believe it or not, it was actually a bit of a struggle for me to actually put that on paper.  I imagine you can relate to self-doubt and the whole thought process of “What will others think of me?”  I finally gave in and told myself, “It doesn’t really matter what others think.  If they want to accept it or not, I want them to have Christ’s peace with them and in their lives.”  It is a prayer specifically for you. 

Last Sunday was the second Sunday of Ordinary Time and our first reading was from the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19.  Like Samuel, at times when the Lord calls to us, we mistake Him for someone else.  And also, like Samuel, we may even say “Speak, for your servant is listening.”, without knowing whom we are truly speaking with.  But here’s the thing…God is asking you to share His peace.  God is asking you to make a difference in someone’s life.  God is asking you, without knowing what the outcome will be, to be bold in your “yes” to Him.  And occasionally, like in my conversation with Joanna last Friday, you will hear Him say thank you good and faithful servant, when He brings your Yes full circle through someone sharing with you how a God moment, you were a part of, has impacted their life.  I’m not sure I can fully express in words the magnitude of a moment like that, but you will know it when you feel and experience it.  Keep listening for His call.  Reply “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  Then act as you are guided.  You may be asking, “How do I know it’s from Him?”  Well, He will only prompt you to do what is good.  Bless others and be blessed.

#GiftOfTheSpiritCrucifix

#GeorgeStrait – I Saw God Today