Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6
For several years I have been a fan of Colossians 4:5-6, trying to live it out. But sometimes I get lazy. Do you?
Then God puts opportunities in front of me and reminds me I need to make the most of them. I love His patience with me, and His unending grace which allows me repeated chances to "get it." Because last week during VBS He gave me several opportunities to be His instrument.
On one occasion I was comforting a little girl who had gotten hit with a ball. It was a little ball and I knew she was over-reacting - that the ball could not have hurt her as much as her tears and whimpering would indicate. But the amount of actual pain she was experiencing didn't seem important at the moment. She just needed to be comforted.
So I put my arm around her and let her tell me about the nasty ball. I prayed for her and asked God to help her feel better. And then it was as if He said to me, Karen, make the most of this opportunity. Don't stop now.
So I looked at this little girl and I told her that there will be other times in her life when she will hurt again - sometimes physically, and sometimes the pain will be in her heart. And I told her in those times God was going to be with her, and she could trust Him to comfort her and help her through the pain.
She looked at me and said she knew that was true. I am praying even as I type these words that this Truth which was planted in Zoe's heart last week will take root and grow throughout her precious life.
God gave me several opportunities like this one with Zoe during VBS. I share them with you, not because I want to make myself sound super-spiritual and righteous, but because I want to encourage you to keep your eyes open for similar opportunities. Watch for Him to give you occasions to share your faith. Pay attention for those teachable moments when you can encourage a child to trust God in their present and with their future. Look for the openings He gives to speak words of Truth and Hope.
Because, as sure as our God lives, opportunity knocks!
7 comments:
Thank you for taking the opportunity to share with me!
Blessings!
I miss opportunities and then look back and wish I would've seen them. I need to learn to be more ready.
Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful post, Karen!! I will definitely be on the lookout for opportunities!
Funny, I just read Colossians last night & THIS verse stuck with me....coincidence? No, I know it's His way of sending me a big message today! ;)
Hugs!!
Patricia nyc
OH you are SOOO right!!! I really need to be watching and aware... sometimes I get caught up in, "I am busy!" and forget what REALLY matters.
Blessings to you~
Amanda
Yay! What a great lesson. I pray she was blessed by your loving attention and words of wisdom.
A great exhortation! Thank you! Our pastor preached on those very verses this past Sunday...a reoccurring theme...Hmmm...I will be paying close attention! Hugs!
sometimes, the kids who cries too much over a little physical pain, could be hurting over other things. I was hurting one summer. Lots of emotional pain, but unable to let it out. Then just before getting on the bus to ride home from summer camp I fell and skinned my knee. I think I cried for at least an hour. My friends didn't understand, but it took the physical shock of the pain to allow me to break the barrier and cry.
thank you for being understanding with Zoe and not just telling her to buck up.
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