You're Not a Gap Filler

Our church is making some shifts and changes right now and our pastors are trying to prepare the congregation for some of the issues that may arise from this change.  We are merging with another congregation so there will be a whole new group of people to get to know.  One of the things that folks tend to struggle with when new people enter into an established situation is that they don't feel as valued as they once felt or they think other people are taking the place they once held.

While addressing this issue on Sunday, our pastor said, "There are no gap fillers here. Every single one of you has a unique purpose and plan for your life."  That remark really struck a chord with me.  I myself have struggled with that thought at times in my life and I know so many others who continually deal with it.  If we haven't discovered our purpose, we can wrestle with thoughts that tell us we merely fill in the gaps left by others who know their calling in life!

In church, in our careers, our hobbies...the things that we are naturally drawn to and enjoy...those are the areas where God will usually help us in finding a way to express our gifts and callings.  If you don't know what that is yet, don't think of yourself as a "gap filler".  Just dig in and get involved wherever you see a need.  Somewhere, you will find your passion, your niche, your calling!  We have women in our church who are called to change diapers in the nursery and, believe me, we value them just as much as the ones called to preach and teach!

No matter where you look, you will find areas to serve your community.  Our unique plans and purposes start there.  If you get involved and have a servant's heart, He will guide you and show you where your gifts and callings are a perfect fit and they will begin to flourish.  And before you know it, you will know why you were created!  You are God's answer to something!  Don't shrink back from going after the things that God has placed in your heart.

Do you know what God's plan and purpose is for you?  What are you doing to discover what that is?  Share with us here how you've found ways to discern your gifts and callings.



From His Lap,

A Life of Gratitude

When I decided to purposefully look for the things in my life that I am blessed with, I was astonished at all of the little things that I had been overlooking; all of the small but beautiful gifts in my life that make my heart sing.  These are the gifts that make up the stories of our lives and without them, my story would be nothing that you would want to read about.  Moments in time, smiles, stolen glances at loved ones, holding hands...these are where our stories begin.

41.  The way my husband makes me laugh.  Half the time I'm laughing just because he thinks he is so funny.  He won't let me go very long with a pout on my face.  He's such a tease.

42.  My husband's kisses...that's all I need to say about this gift!

43.  Rodney's adventurous spirit has made for countless of wonderful family times and especially "Father/Son" times.  Every year, he takes a couple of our sons to the mountains for a week of fun..they like to tease and say they are in search of Big Foot.  They come back with thrilling stories of how they heard him in the woods!

44.  The way he honors, respects and helps his mom is such a gift to me and to our children.  He is tender and generous with her.  He makes sure that our son always spends time with her and helps him with her house and yard.  He is teaching an invaluable lesson to our son.

45.  He knows that I love to be close to the land, so almost every Saturday morning, he gets up and says, "Where do you want to go today?".  He takes his whole Saturday to drive with me taking pictures, just letting me feel close to God.  Precious time spent together, talking, laughing, not saying anything.

46.  Holding hands makes me know my beloved is mine and I am his.

47.  The way he'll play along with me and get dressed up to go to a fundraiser for an organization I believe in.  My friends adore him for that.  He's always willing to "play" along with whatever theme we pick!



48.  The smell of his cigar.  When he's smoking his cigar, I know he's stealing a moment of peace, just for himself.  He will go outside and eventually, I'll catch the wonderful aroma from the cigar wafting through a window.  So I'll go outside just to sit quietly with him and enjoy the company.  Yes, the smell of his cigar tells me he's content and I love it!


What are you grateful for that tells the story of your life?  What small things can you take note of that would leave holes in your life if they weren't there?

If you'd like, you can hop on over to Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts to see what others are thankful for in their stories!   

One Thousand Gifts II

This week I'm remembering all of the heroic acts of Americans on 9/11.  There are so many stories of the goodness of men and women who risked their lives to save and assist others that day.  Some say, "Where was God that day?"  But I say He was there, in the hearts of the people, in thier selfless acts.  He was there holding up those towers while many escaped.  I'm thankful that Americans came together that day, turned to God and loved each other.  To comemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I'm going to take my son and go visit our local fire stations and uniform police divisions and let them know how grateful we are for there service.  It is a gift for which I'm thankful!

21.  The way my dogs greet me when I come home.
22.  The owl in the back yard that "hoots" me to sleep at night.
23.  A pastor who teaches me things that I can actually live by.
24.  My husband helping me paint all my old kitchen furniture, making it look brand new again.
25.  My 15 year old son telling me that he loves me every time he leaves the house and in between.
26.  My Nikon D7000
27.  A night spent laughing with girlfriends.
28.  My wonderful neighbors.
29.  Having a car that gets me there.
30.  Getting a phone call from an old friend.
31.  The cool crisp air that's moving in and wearing hoodie sweatshirts.
32.  Taking daytrips around the state with my husband and son.
33.  A beautiful flower arrangement made by my sister in law.
34.  Having my doctor figure out why I wasn't sleeping.
35.  Having a beautiful peaceful bedroom where I can sit and read for hours.
36.  My praise & worship music.
37.  Having Godly parents who loved each other more than life.
38.  Having photo editing software that does for my photos what I cannot do.
39.  Finding just what I was looking for at the flea market.
40.  Learning not to gripe by wearing my Gripes Be Gone bracelet from Linda Dillow.

I love being a part of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.  We are all keeping track and you can find a whole community of thankful people there.  I have only gotten through 40 now, so I have a long way to go, but oh, the joy of living a grateful life!



From His Lap,

One Thousand Gifts

One Thousand Gifts

1. Eight uninterupted days of visiting with my father.
2. Unexpected rain that came during the night.
3. The lone sunflower God planted in my yard.
4. My mother's Bible with all of her notes.
5. God comforting in the midst of dispair.
6. My son telling me all about his day at school.
7. My beautiful new granddaughter.
8. Fresh herbs from the garden everyday.
9. My best friend who understands and does not judge.
10. My husband's ablitity to keep his truck running with 220,000 miles on it.
11. My beautiful home.
12. Cool mornings.
13. Neighbors bringing fresh vegetables from Iowa.
14. A heavenly Father who let's me get on His lap whenever I want to.
15. My mom's old stereo and albums.
16. Night time prayers with my son.
17. My husband calls me "Beautiful".
18. An unexpected call from my daughter in the middle of the day.
19. A full night's sleep.
20. An unquenchable desire to write of the things of God.

From His Lap,