PPF: God in a Box!

 Ever since I can remember,

my mom would take things

that other people would throw

into the trash,

and she would transform it into

something useful, something she could sell

or something we could play with.

Scrap cloth would become stuffed toys.

I particularly remember a Santa Claus

with a bag full of gifts and miniature toys.

A toilet paper roll would become a doll.

A plastic bottle a piggy bank.

Seeds and twigs picked up from the ground

would transform into a beautiful wreath

someone would want to buy.

She taught us to look at things and see their potential.

 As Jesus passed by, He SAW a man named Levi.

He was a tax collector, and when other

people saw him, they despised him.

But Jesus SAW what Levi could become.

Jesus said, "Follow me."

Matthew 9:9

Levi followed Jesus and became

Saint Matthew!

Jesus sees our potential too!

He sees what we can become.

It doesn't matter what we or others

think of ourselves.

If we follow Jesus we can become saints too!

 "Unless I see...I will not believe."

John 20:25

How many of us are like St. Thomas, 

the doubting apostle?

The other day, a fire started 

in the restaurant just across 

our gift shop in Ali Mall.

I prayed and asked my 

Facebook friends to pray.

Many responded. Many prayed. 

My staff said when they left

the building, it was filled with smoke. 

I was filled with doubt. 

Was there any chance

God would spare our store?

That He would answer our prayers? 

Sometimes I have doubts

that God hears me.

But like Thomas, we need

only to come to Him with our doubts. 

Fr. Anthony of St. Mary Orthodox Church, 

said in his sermon,

"Doubts are the inevitable result

of faith growing beyond the

containers we put it in. 

God cannot be boxed or contained 

in concepts, words or dogma 

or anything, but we try so hard

to contain Him."

"I believe Lord! Help my unbelief!"

I am ecstatic that God answered our prayers

and the very next day, we were able 

to open our store!

No water damage, no smoke damage,

no nothing!!!

Thank you Lord, that even when I doubt,

you answer my prayers!!!

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Thank you for dropping by!

You are appreciated!

Patsy