“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 22-23

There are some things that come out of need vs want. As I look back on my life; where I live, what I have, what I do, the blessing of it all does not escape me. I COULD live in a third world country with nothing but a hut and a fire pit. But since we live in America, I COULD say, we NEEDED a new oven!

The whole Covid thing has put the kibosh on SO many things. Appliances should hardly seem an area of concern! But after looking around, NEW appliances are getting harder to find…since parts from China, for production, were hard to come by. HMMMMMMM!? Going to a used appliance store, we asked if they had ovens. “Tomorrow,” was all he said. Yesterday was the day I handed that man my credit card!

The whole ordeal was what I would call…miraculous. This normally $900 oven was spotless! Upon inspection, it looked as if NOTHING had EVER been cooked in…or on it! Having just spent $400 for it, I couldn’t help but giggle at God. When the man helped me load it up, HE brought up the subject of Covid! Then I felt my benevolent God give me a nudge!

Everything I am, do and have are blessings from my Heavenly Father. I KNOW that! I have seen Him work and am daily amazed at WHAT He does and HOW He does it! I know that He has called ME to share His Mercy and Grace with others…just like He has called YOU! So it was a PLEASURE to SLIDE into my favorite subject with this ”used appliance salesman!” Soon I was telling him about JESUS!

As the world and SO many churches shut down because of a virus, I KNOW that God isn’t the one doing the shutting! I know because He keeps walking beside me and nudging me in whatever direction He sees fit. The Joy of the Journey is to simply pay attention and jump in with His Word of MERCY when signaled. As today’s verse indicates, it’s HOT as fire out there, and SO many need the Savior.

The word ‘Mercy’ means to NOT get what one deserves. I don’t deserve a life, a job with the Master of the Universe, a wonderful family or even a ‘like new’ oven (at 50% OFF)! But that is how my dad works! My sin was like a terminal cancer when I awoke and caught the note He left me, “Malignancy, Effectively Removed…Compassionately Yours…” Jesus! As this year ends, I thank God for His love and continued blessing. Even if it comes in the form of a new OVEN!