Love Note

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

I checked on my texts account today and found that I was way over my limit. I called ATT to assess the damages. What I heard was the divine.

I explained to the service rep that I had a lot of email texts from Sunday and was wondering how much it was going to cost me. In her distinct Virginia accent, she said, “Let me tell you about my text from Sunday. I wasn’t even thinking about Valentine's Day or any of that. I got a text from a number I didn’t know that said Happy Valentine’s Day. Be blessed. I had never heard of that number, so I’m sure that message was from God. I can't tell you how much that "mistake message" wasn't a mistake at all, it was a miracle to my week."

She went on to talk about how God is all around in the big and little things. She talked about in the intricacies of thousands of animals, just the animals, God shows His handiwork. And He sends her a note – through an unknown angel – to remind her of His love for her. Then she quoted her favorite verse…the verse that I read just this morning: “His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness.” Lamentations 2:23 "Every morning," she said with joy.

She was just thrilled to share her story with someone who didn’t think she was crazy. I told her that I'm sure I was more thrilled to hear than she was to share! God knew that her heart needed to be reminded of His love. There are no mistakes or coincidences. Whatever the natural world may try and dismiss, her heart heard Him; and He knew that she would receive Him.

God was the operator, connecting that call; I’m sure more for me than for her. God is the ultimate operator making connections in my life day after day; most that I am completely unaware of. The customer service rep. The co-worker. The Facebook “friend.” The parent. The child. The shoe salesman. On and on and on. Connections without even trying, just from living out from under a rock.

That call was 23 minutes long. 3 minutes was spent on me, 20 minutes was blessed on me. I was charged for the texts, $2.30. Each message was of loving conversation between family and friends. But the greatest message came today: a vivid visual of one woman’s heart who couldn't wait to share the message that God Himself sent to her: I LOVE YOU! Her life was broken down, but her heart was full of love. Her voice spoke volumes as her words praised Him.

His reminders are all around if we are willing to seek Him first and let all other things be added to the details of our days. Watch for Him, and He will speak to you. Or even text you. Or email you. Then storyboard you to share His love.

Read His Word. Seek His mercies. Share His love. How do you see Him revealed all around you?

Enjoy Him, Michelle
mlpack1@yahoo.com

Piano Prayers

I adore symphonic scores! Like millions over the centuries, nothing moves my heart like music. This week, I attended a small symphony concert featuring piano concertos, much like in the video posted below. Before entering, I asked God for more than just soaking in the sounds; I wanted to encounter Him through those moments of symphonic power. Surely God was here, and I did not want to miss Him (Genesis 28:16). He, of course, desires to reveal Himself in intimacy, majesty, beauty, and power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfriY1o07rU&feature=related

The pianists were world traveled. The maestro was world renowned. The symphony was world stopping. In this concerto, the piece calls for symphony to silence while the pianist played solos. The conductor turned to face the pianist as he played. He smiled and reveled in the sound! Though was he already knew the piece, he delighted as passion poured from note to rapid fire note. The symphony then resumed and melodic majesty melded in, once more, with the pianist's performance. Sometimes together, sometimes alone, but always creating incredible music.

Then everything changed. I no longer saw the pianist at the bench; I saw me.

The symphony was my life. Each member had a different place, passion, and personality that added to the tapestry of my days. I saw family and friends playing the heartstrings and booming brass. They may not always seem to play in concert and cohesion, but in the end, they come together to create the soundtrack of my life.

In the center was both Composer and Conductor, God Himself. Not a note falls without His direction, and all would be in chaos without His guiding hand. I only play with passion when I only play for Him: no one else. Sometimes my prayers are in concert with the externals of my life, and sometimes He silences the externals to hear my prayers. He looks directly at me, smiles and revels in my voice. I only need to be present to play.

At the end of the piece, the applause was booming with cheers! In some cases, the applause is heard to the ear of the pianist; in some cases the reviews are not heard until they have left the stage (eulogy over encore). Whether those watching over my life respond or not, the conductor listens and responds with joy.

After the piece was over, the conductor reached down and lifted up the pianist to an embrace. Though I know His embrace now, this is more the scene after my final notes are played. He holds me before all of Heaven and Earth and whispers, “Well done.”

Enjoy Him, Michelle
mlpack1@yahoo.com