You Gotta Stretch

God continues to shine light on the things necessary for a “Hallelujah” perspective this year. This time the lesson came from an unlikely teacher-

Wally and I were readying our home to host a group of students for our church’s Disciple Now weekend– otherwise known as RECKLESS. Before you’re amazed by this feat, let me begin by saying that I agree to this because it’s important to my husband. He’s found a niche of serving in and through the youth ministry, and it’s important to him- a place where he’s making a difference in the lives of students for the kingdom.

I, on the other hand, have not been able to find a good reason to say “no.”

The week of the event, we headed to the church to receive our instructions and our housing assignment. The dialogue went something like this-

“I’m sure it will be boys . . . yes- and most likely middle school . . . but surely not more than 10 . . . and hopefully the same counselors as last year . . .”

“We’ll probably have to move furniture . . . put away some stuff . . . go over our house rules . . . yeah- I think we’re ready.”

Then on the way home-

“Yep- middle school boys . . . I think we can manage 7^th graders . . . which ones did we have last year . . . how many are there? What- 12 and 2 counselors . . . that’s 14 bodies . . . on the floor” . . . and then my comment that I hate to admit but feel I must- “you think anyone will be sick and cancel?”  

Yep- sometimes the true state of the heart is not a pretty sight.

So the next couple of days passed with shopping for food, moving furniture, and a lot of self-talk on my part in order to gear up for the weekend. I feared it was sure to live up to its name. 

⇒ It would be Reckless! I mean- 7^th grade boys; what else should I expect?

Out of God’s abundant faithfulness, it wasn’t long before I started to hear Him speak a word to me over this situation. My door was closed tight with dread . . . God’s flung wide open with generosity!

From His Word, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18

And another, “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11

And then the more personalized questions to my heart-

Have I not graciously given you all things to enjoy?

A home . . . time . . . resources . . . even understanding and experience with middle school boys?

Yes, LORD, you have.

It’s one weekend- can you not bear a little inconvenience?

A little mess . . . sacrifice of time and order . . . to share your home with these boys- give them an opportunity to know Me?

Thus the voice of God- calling me out of my comfort zone and control- to a place of obedient generosity- not with an extravagant price tag but in an ordinary way of serving- so that someone else could be blessed.

Yes, LORD, I will.

While I’d like to say there was an immediate return of abundance from obedience, it didn’t work out quite that way. Instead there was less sleep, a lot of smelly feet, and an airy haze that results when Febreze meets body spray as a cover-all. It was the root beer explosion that made me ready to send everyone packing on Sunday morning.

But then there was the gratitude expressed for French toast sticks with syrup making me “the best cook ever” and the sound of boys tossing the football in the street. These were the signs of life that grew up and moved out with our 3 kids who are now young adults.

So I was glad in my heart that God had encouraged me to stretch– to open my home and my heart to 7^th grade boys-  an unlikely but very present source of the bounty of the Lord to me this year.

So I’ll challenge you to consider-

How is God stretching you to obey Him by being generous with what He has given?

Perhaps it’s a note . . . or a visit . . . or a new ministry . . . something He’s calling you toward . . . beyond where you are comfortable and in control.

Open your hands . . . stretch in that direction today . . .  in obedience . . . it’s where His bounty is!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Accompanying “You Gotta Stretch”- Prayer Index Cards