Biscuit anyone?

"Delight yourselves in God and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37 v 4)

I've recently noticed my strange response if, when people come around to mine, they don't want my biscuits. I kind of leap back off the chair again, anxiously asking 'are you sure?' - thrusting the whole tin (a very nice on it is too) with all the selection, just to tempt them! No wonder that in the end people generally give in... although I like to think it's my selection and nothing else! I've got all my faves; which I am not tempted to eat somehow the rest of the time, I hasten to add. Unlike if I have crisps in the house. Or chocolate. Or cake. Or pretty much anything else!
(I wonder why this reaction is? Could it be that the biscuits - all my favourites in one tin) represent me in some way?!) Anyway it has become a total joy and motivation to me to be reaching out to people whether in my home or at church; one that must totally be from God.

Last Sunday was so cool - I finally caught up with the new friend I'd met in the welcome cafe a while ago and who then found me again a few weeks later but who, since then, I'd steadily missed; I even went to the early service a few times in order to try and bump into her, because she does not know many people yet and has been recently widowed (at 38 years old with a teenage daughter). And on this same Sunday, an old friend who is in the middle of a life change came along to the second service and I was able to have her over for lunch.

This is possibly my first instance of 'last minute' hospitality. And I've been a bit precious about my Sundays, to say the least. I certainly have a loooonng way to go before I can think of myself as having the life attitude of those friends, Lyra & Mark, who modelled to me so instrumentally, this style of Christian living & hospitality; for both serving in the church and/or a life ready to serve those people who are the church.

But it's mainly in the week that I really enjoy having people around, whether to pray, catch up or get people together. It's wonderful; it feels like I'm finally able to be 'useful' and have a purpose (almost a calling in my heart) and that feels good. Most amazingly, this inclination started over 2 years ago - almost at the same time exactly that inner healing issues began to 'hot up' - I would probably be totally self obsessed if God had let me deal with this without these distractions of His concern for others ... !)

Well Andrew preached a fab sermon on Sunday on Giving which, somehow gave him the legitimate excuse to stand at the front of the church stuffing pringles into his mouth & spraying them out on the stage (!) but his wrapping-up point was especially good for me because it summarised the way in which our whole life, resources as well as time & energy etc., can be for God.

Are you giving? Do you think this just means your 'tithe' and worry cos you aren't giving as much as maybe you should? Well maybe you are giving more than your realise. (For example your time, your home ... and your biscuits!) And, crucially, I have come to believe, if it's what God has put in you to do (or give) then it's enjoyable. As one friend pointed out to me a while ago about in-church service 'when you know that you're in the right place and feel that it's a really good thing to be doing; then it's probably God's will for you to serve there'.

So I can carry on inviting people etc.- which I like to do - & know that I'm living a life of use... and know that God will draw me into more and different kinds of service, as I obey him in something that I enjoy doing. Yay.

Biscuit anyone?!

(NB. talking of biscuits; click on the cup of tea at the side & then 'the what' and you might still be able to read my article that was published by another site. What an honour; they referred to me as a 'writer' along with some really talented ladies! However, the incident I used feels like a bit of a fuss about nothing now; the kind of thing that still happens occasionally and is used by God to take me forward in healing & understanding, whether at work or not. But it made a a good story dramatic outline !)