I am so over winter. Ready to move on. Ready for spring! But this is St. Louis and you can't rule out the possibility of snow until at least April Fool's Day. Of course, we have been fooled before. So this past week's winter storm was not something I was looking forward to. And after working all day Friday, I have to admit I was initially somewhat resistant to that whisper in my ear that said "shovel the neighbor's driveway...you NEED to shovel the neighbor's driveway." So I did. I probably don't do this sort of thing often enough and although I felt good about it, I also felt a little awkward. Wondering if they saw me. Wondering what they were thinking. Praying that they would not come out and praying that somehow this would mean something for them. What if they left town and didn't tell us? I'd feel a little silly. I also decided that this did in fact qualify as exercise for the day. Check!
Sometimes--most of the time--we never really see the impact of our actions on the people who's lives we touch day in and day out. Every once in a while though, God gives you a little glimpse and inspires you to do more. This was one of those times. After 45 minutes of non-stop shoveling, I went in to change out of my surprisingly sweaty clothes and relax, glad no one had actually come out while I was working. The phone rang. "We saw you. You didn't have to do that." I fumbled for words a little, sort of embarrassed about it but not sure why. I was wondering what her sarcastically witty irreligious husband was thinking. "Jim said to tell you to stop--'Jesus will take care of us.'" I said "He did. Jesus sent me." :) With a laugh, she said she'd tell him and that he just left to pick up a prescription that he needed. They didn't know how they were going to get there and she was considering walking. Wow. I can't tell you how glad I am to have answered that little 'call' that day. I wonder how many times God's called me to other things and I blew Him off. But today's a new day and I'm excited to see what He has in store for me.
So what's God calling you to do? It doesn't have to be big and He doesn't always send lightning bolts. So listen closely...it's usually a whisper.
