Let my Heart Overflow

Over the last six months I have had a number of young people, in their 20’s come talk to me because of fear. Some were having panic attacks and some were waking up in the middle of the night, sweating from nightmares.

One young lady sat on the edge of the chair, clutching her backpack and as tears flowed she said, “What if this is it, I mean the end. What if I never get  married? Or have kids? I can’t relax or get the thoughts in my head to slow down.” She sobbed.

These young people weren’t my usual peeps. They were well dressed; going to college, driving their own car, well connected because Mom and Dad are from the middle class. They have life goals and are motivated.  But the instability of the world was closing in on them and they became terrified. TV, radio, newspaper, Internet – they were overwhelmed by what they were watching and reading.

Be choosy by what you absorb. We should be cautious about what we watch on TV, what news we read in the paper and what we see on the internet. We should be intentional to take in inspiration, hope and love so we can give inspiration, hope and love.

So many people I talk to confess that their Christian example is flushed down the toilet when they’re behind the wheel of a car. What is it that tics us off when someone ignores a red light, throws us the finger when they pass us going 15 MPH over the speed limit, honk when we don’t floor the gas pedal when the light turns green.

It's a bummer that many of these folks feel their blood pressure rise as they drive to work in the morning and their anger and bad attitude drips off them and rubs off on all their coworkers. Do you watch or listen to stories in the morning that sets your day up for failure?

Or do you lift up your morning commute to the Father before you walk out the door? Are you Bible searching for verses to recite when you encounter an early morning or late afternoon idiot driver?

Are you looking for God moments? Do you ask the Father to bring to your attention the good, the blessed and the thankful throughout your day? It’s humbling and empowering.

In line at a McDonalds. Two cars in front of me was a Mercedes. The car in front of me was an old clunker. The driver was young and as she pulled up to pay, her hands were filled with change. But, the employee said her meal had been paid for and she pointed to the Mercedes. The young driver became ecstatic and bounced in her seat, change dropping as she waved at the driver of the Mercedes.

Sitting at a signal light. Next to me was a landscape truck and trailer. Crossing in front of us was a senior man in a wheelchair. He was alone and working hard to cross the street pushing with his one foot. I heard one of the guys in the truck speak Spanish as he pointed. Then he got out of the truck and rushed to push the man safely to the sidewalk.

Driving our Comanche kids to church one morning we passed a highway exit that always has a homeless person sitting there flying a sign. As we crossed the railroad tracks we saw a KOTV news truck parked on the other side of the road. The driver was walking towards the homeless man with a bag and drink from a local fast food restaurant.

A mentally ill friend who struggles daily to remain in reality also happens to have the biggest heart of anyone I know. She called to tell me she made it through the end of the month with money left over. She cares for many of the senior ladies in her apartment complex. One of her grannies needed some groceries so my friend bought and delivered them. She wanted to be sure I knew she saved Isaiah 58, In His service money because she didn’t have to ask us for help. “God told me to do it, so I said ‘yes Sir’ and it made my heart overflow.’”

Last Sunday Pastor Alex finished his sermon series called Endzone. The series talked about finances, 10-10-80. Tithe 10%, save 10% and use the 80% to pay your monthly bills. To those of us in debt <house and car excluded> he said, “By being in debt you’re telling God that His provision isn’t enough.” Ouch, the truth can hurt.

He ended the series with an illustration. He talked about a junior in high school, “God got his heart last summer.” Pastor said the young man hadn’t missed one Sunday since God got him. He said the young man drove his car to the family vacation in Texas so he could come back to attend church on Sunday since the family wouldn’t be returning. He told how the young man is an athlete and began a Bible study with his teammates. He also told Pastor Alex that he is saving to go to Egypt on a mission trip, but he hadn’t received much financial support.

Pastor Alex said God put on his heart to pass the offering buckets in all of the Churchat. locations to cover the cost of the young man’s mission trip. He asked us to give $1.00. He said some of us may be giving for the first time and others may give much more. He said any money received over and above the cost of the mission trip will be put in an account for the young man to use as he serves our amazing God!!

Feel inspired? Exciting isn't it? Now ask God to help you pay attention. Ask Him to show you opportunities for you to love someone until your heart overflows. Ready. Set. Go.

Know that you are prayed for.

In His service, d