July 10, 2012: My Personal Journal Entry: How can cleaning the restroom bring God glory?

Holy Father, thank You for this morning. While Travis and I read Your Word together, I felt Your love enter my heart. Feeling as though I might burst if I didn’t share it, I ran to You for my next task.

Without hesitation, I thought about the state of the bathrooms here at our new campsite. What a mess! Clogged toilets, empty shampoo bottles and used bars of soap wrapped in long strands of hair.

Despite the heat, I find myself feeling an uncontrollable urge to clean the restrooms. “Perhaps this is another opportunity to share Your love with someone?” I wonder. “I have seen an elderly man cleaning the restrooms early each morning. Maybe he’s in charge of restroom maintenance?  I’m sure he’d appreciate some help.” I think.

Later on

Dear Jesus, it only took a few hours to complete my task with not one scuff mark left behind!  Right after I had prayed to You this morning, I grabbed my cleaning materials and walked to the restrooms located in the grassy area. I began to scrub. Almost immediately, salty sweat began to pour from my forehead and sting my eyes. As the chemicals mixed with the muggy air, I remembered Your request to sing. I began to sing the one familiar song I had heard in church a few days prior. “Bless the Lord oh my soul, ooooh my soul, worship His holy name… sing like never before, oh my soul, worship Your holy name. I worship Your holy name.” While singing songs of praise to You, time passed by quickly.

After I had finished cleaning, I realized that I felt sticky and kind of gross, so I gathered my young son and went to the pool to cool off. Without delay, You confirmed Your presence in the form of two doves that circled only a few feet above our heads.

Right then and there, I hanged my head and quietly prayed. “Oh LORD, being in Your presence is truly an overwhelming experience. Thank You for allowing me to follow You today and for teaching me that all assignments, no matter how small they may appear, can be used for Your glory. I can’t wait for You to reveal how You opened the eyes of another through the cleaning of a restroom. Thank You for conveying Your love for me in counting me to worthy to serve You today. Amen.

June 20, 2012: My Personal Journal Entry: God is not a God of Confusion 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

Dear Jesus, today I began to announce to family and friends that my young son and I would be joining my husband as he travels around the country from job site to job site.  I must admit, I was astonished to hear their response.

Many of my loved ones seem greatly concerned. “Are you sure about this?” One friend sincerely questioned. “Has your husband sought help for his addiction?” Another asked. “Why doesn’t your husband just move back in with you and your two boys?” Several suggested. Imagine my confusion when another, too afraid to approach me directly, placed a note of worry in the church collection box. And, even my Pastor seemed a bit troubled.

But, I know You are calling me to a new area and that You are not a God of confusion. So, I’ve decided to trust You and take courage. I began to reply, “I may not quite trust my husband yet, but I trust God. And, I believe He is telling me to reunite with my husband under the same roof.” 

1 Corinthians 14:33(KJV)

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."