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.

What Happens When a Christian Misses a Church Service

Apologies From a
Repentant Christian

Yesterday, I decided to stay home from church. I was feeling tired and worn down and just wanted to stay in my pajamas.

Right away, something felt wrong. I am not sure why, but I decided to detour from my normal morning routine. Instead of starting my day by reading my bible and spending quiet time with the Lord, I skimmed a few verses of proverbs then began to write in my blog. I was pushing aside meditation and study time with God to write about what I knew about God.

 

By the end of the morning, I had written two stories. In one story, I confessed the mistakes I was making in leading my husband closer to Christ. In the other, I prayed that God would heal my heart and help me become a better wife.

Just after posting both blog stories, I heard a honk from a neighboring friend’s car horn outside my trailer.  A mother and her son were sitting in their car waiting to take my son with them for an afternoon treat. I went outside for a brief moment to say “Thank you,” to the woman.

Just minutes after they drove away, I reached to open the trailer door. Locked! I was still wearing my pajamas! Embarrassed, I sat in my car and waited for my husband to return home from his round of golf. Now, I was determined to take a shower and get dressed as soon as he returned.

My husband pulled up to our campsite approximately 35 minutes later. When I looked into his eyes, I felt like crying. Yet instead, I yelled at him for taking so long to return home. Then, I went inside and turned on the hot water to the shower. No hot water! I had inadvertently turned off the water heater the night before. Frozen pipe water only! My Goosebumps had Goosebumps. After my chilly shower, I attempted to make dinner for my son.  The French style rolls were not pre-sliced. So, I grabbed for a very sharp serrated knife. Within seconds, I had fiercely sliced my thumb.

Immediately, I began to giggle as I looked up to the heavens. Then, I said under my breath as I smiled, "Okay Lord, I get it. I will never miss going to church again!"

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

To read this author's personal testimony please go to:

http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html