Why Am I So Attractive?

Catchy title, right? Especially when one looks in the mirror and their hair is having a good day, the make-up blended just right and, that blue top certainly brings out the blue in your eyes. But, that’s not the "attractive" I'm talking about. Attractive to mosquitoes or chiggers. Not sure which one -- neither is the urgent care doc. So many (15 or more) bites and welts and still counting. Lord, have mercy!

While itching these annoying, little pink bumps (some not so little now), I thought “What good purpose could God have had for those pests?” I'm told this has been a crazy season for those critters here in Oklahoma. I found this scripture in Colossians 1:16 "For by Him ALL THINGS were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- ALL THINGS were created through Him and for Him.” God indeed created all things for His good purposes, but mosquitoes and chiggers? Are we sure?

I remember Corrie Ten Boom's autobiography, "The Hiding Place" where she described her Christian family's devotion to hide and help many Jews to safety in Holland during World War II. She and her sister, Betsy, were caught and sent to a Nazi death camp. The two sisters looked to God to find joy in their dark surroundings by thanking Him for any blessings they could see around them. They thanked Him for allowing them to be together, for food and beds, for helping them smuggle their Bible into the camp and be able to share the love of Jesus. But, when Betsy thanked God for the lice and fleas that infested the beds in the bunk house, Corrie insisted Betsy was crazy.

Betsy thanked God in everything. Guards were everywhere, but the one place they never set foot was the bunk houses. That freedom seemed strange to Corrie and Betsy until Betsy discovered why. It was because the guards were afraid of getting lice and fleas!” Corrie realized the lice and fleas that infested their beds served a good purpose and were God's gift to them. That gave Corrie and Betsy the freedom to hold Bible studies, sing hymns, and share the love and hope of Jesus with their fellow prisoners without ever being caught.

I’ve prayed for the itching to stop, sought Dr. Google’s advice, I took a Benadryl and my friend’s advice to lather on Campho-Phenique. I had to even go to Urgent Care for help. I’m still resisting the need to scratch and trying to come up with a good purpose for those annoying bugs. I still find it difficult to thank God for them OR for lice or fleas. But, I love the reminder Corrie’s story brings – to be finding the good purpose and the gift of of everything. I do know that God, Who sees all and Who has infinite wisdom, has a purpose and reason.

As I write this today, my question of “Why mosquitoes and chiggers?” seems trivial in comparison to my hard questions of “Why is my friend still suffering from cancer? Why are my friends embroiled in an awful court case? Why was that man born without arms and legs? And the list goes on. God’s answer to the trivial question of “Why mosquitoes and chiggers?” and to the much more heavy question of “Why this pain and suffering?” is the same answer. His answer to me would be something like this, “Beloved, Donna, don’t you know that I am not surprised by those biters. I see all things and know all things. I have good things in mind for you."

So, I can trust that my all-knowing Heavenly Father does know best. He demonstrated His great act of love for us in that “while we were still sinners (not even friends of God, but unworthy, and rebellious), Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and rose again, promising us a beautiful future with Him.

If His love for us is indeed this great, how can we question His good purposes in all things? How wonderful that I have the freedom to ask the question “why” but at the same time trust He has the perfect answer--an answer that I too, if able to see the whole picture, would deem perfect and necessary -- even those despicable mosquitoes and chiggers. Hey! I have my own answer....those mosquitoes and chiggers were part of God's plan so that I could encourage you today with this scripture:
~“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Recognizing a Holy Moment

It’s the first Sunday of the month and I am a Greeter at my church. This particular Sunday I can’t stay for my full shift because I need to leave about ten minutes early for a meeting. I ask my fellow greeter who is posted at a less-traffic door if she’d switch with me today because the door I typically “man” is the front door where much more traffic comes through. I know it will be easier for me to slip away early at the less-traffic door.

As I make my way to that door and open it, I see a “dressed to the nines” with perfectly coiffed hair, older woman on her cell phone. She is holding fast to the handrail that supports those who need help coming up the slight incline. Her conversation on her phone ends and I watch her hold tightly to the railing as she makes her way to me. I’m cheering her on from my vantage point. She comes to my opened door, beaming. I say “You made it! You are a winner!” I reach my arms out to give her a hug and say “Welcome, beautiful lady! Just look at you all dressed up and looking so beautiful for the King!” She breaks into conversation: “Thank you for making me feel so good. I was talking to my daughter. She wants me to live with her and she doesn’t like it when I go out alone like this, but I have to! I have cancer. It’s terminal. I don’t know how much longer I have but I do know I don’t want to stay home and feel sorry for myself. I want to come to church where I can praise my Lord and be with people. It takes my mind off myself. It’s the best place to be!” This sweet woman is preaching a sermon and doesn't even realize it. I compliment her huge “Vera Bradley” tote bag and she says “Oh, my daughter bought this for me! She got tired of seeing me carrying so many things. Just look in here. It holds my medicine, shawl, and all my stuff!" She welcomes it when I ask if I can say a little prayer for her. I pray a few words of God's love and His perfect timing for her race to end but in the meantime, I pray for her comfort and lots more Holy Moments like today.

Like clockwork, another older woman is coming through the door who is carrying an adorable purse with a big pink bow on it. I exclaim “Good Morning, beautiful! I love your purse!” She replies “Oh, my daughter gave it to me!” And my other friend says “Me, too! My daughter gave me my purse!” The second woman asks “What are your names? My name is Delores!” “I’m Sonya” and I say “Donna”! We get into a group hug and are sharing in a Holy Moment – a divine set-up for all three of us – women who need connections and warm embraces! If I were at the other door, I might have missed this Holy Moment!

Holy Moments are really attractive. They differentiate us from the world. Holy Moments are those we set aside self-interest, what we feel like doing, and we have a little conversation with God and we say: “Alright God, what do you want me to do in this moment?” Then we do exactly what we feel God is calling us to do in that moment. That's a Holy Moment and Holy Moments tend to be filled with kindness, generosity, patience, courage, love and thoughtfulness, so, they're incredibly attractive.

Holy Moments help us grow in character; they help become a better-version-of-ourselves; they help us become the person God created us to be. And when we create enough of them, people will say: “Wow, she's got something I don't have”; “I want what he's got.” That's how the first Christians did it. That's how they spread across the world at a breakneck pace. They used the very powerful force of attraction -- not promotion. Let’s be attractive today. Someone needs just a little bit of our time that makes them feel worth living! Lord, please use us today!

Smile - May Even Be Able To Break Ice With It

Ever delivered a message or announcement to a group or crowd of people and did your best to overcome those mellow, icy stares or frowning faces looking back at you? You gotta' hand it to pastors, ministers, speakers and leaders who can motivate audiences who are looking back at them with those seemingly unhappy, sullen and serious faces. I know some folks just can't help it, because they have a natural frown and they're not really unhappy. In fact, I often walk past a mirror or I see a photo that someone has taken of me that I didn't get to pose for, and I think "Donna -- be on purpose with smiling -- think about it, and SMILE!" Here are some good reasons for us to SMILE:
1. Smiling can make you happy (even when you're not).
2. Smiling can make others happy.
3. Smiling makes you more attractive.
4. Smiling can help you de-stress.
5. Smiling can help you land a job.
6. Smiling can lead to laughter.
7. Smiling just feels good.

Proverbs says: "A merry heart does good like a medicine,,,,", and we just can't be merry without a big smile planted across our face. This isn't profound, but I know that a smile says "In spite of my circumstances -- good or bad -- I am blessed and I win!" I love that old Nat King Cole song "SMILE" -- these lyrics just confirm what a smile can do:

Smile though your heart is aching; smile even though it's breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.
If you smile through your fear and sorrow; smile and maybe tomorrow,
You'll see the sun come shining through for you.

Light up your face with gladness; hide every trace of sadness,
Although a tear may be ever so near.
That's the time you must keep on trying; smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile; if you just smile.

I'll take that! Life really is so worthwhile! I'm smiling BIG! Let's ALL smile BIG! Let's give out smiles -- it just may be the turn-around someone needs to brighten, and lighten their day and load! And we may even be able to break ICE with it!