Long time a-comin’

It’s been a long time a-comin’, but I’m finally publishing my first real blog post.  As you’ll soon learn, if you ever come back, I usually start out with a little paragraph talking about what I’m going to talk about later.  Actually, most of the time it’s just like this…talking about absolutely nothing while I warm up for talking about something.  Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…

Several years ago, as I was sitting in church listening to our pastor preach about, well…something, I’m sure…I remember wondering why I didn’t have any cool stories to tell like his.  Just about that time, God heard my thoughts drifting from the sermon (evidenced by the fact that I don’t remember it), and spoke some words directly to me, right through our pastor.  ”If you want to see God’s miracles, start by obeying Him.”  Now that’s probably not a direct quote, but that was the gist of it.

That same service they announced that they would be collecting a special offering over the next few weeks for something else that I don’t remember.  I should probably write these cool stories down closer to when they happened.  (My first lesson learned in blogging)  Anyway, here’s the part I’ll never forget…I asked God how much He wanted me to give in that offering.  He reminded me of the credit union account I had through my job.  There wasn’t much money in it.  The only reason I had the account was that there was a branch in our office building, and I could get the cash out if I needed a few dollars while I was at work.  He told me to give the balance of that account.  Easy enough, $42.38.

Not accustomed to obeying God specifically, I thought about rounding it up to an even amount, $60.  I had that much with me.  But remembering the pastor’s words (then, if not now), I knew I should give the exact balance.  That meant I couldn’t just put it in the offering box while I was there.  I had to wait until I could get the exact change. When I had the right dollar amount the next morning, $43, I was tempted to round up the cents, and drop off the money.  But no, I knew I HAD to obey specifically.  So I went and got change for a dollar before stopping by the church the next morning on the way to work.  I dropped off the exact amount, $42.38.

Then I waited…and wondered. He didn’t keep me waiting long.  I guess He knew at that point in my life I was short on faith, and attention span.

That afternoon one of my co-workers asked me for 62 cents.  He was a few cents short for something.  I looked in my purse and there it was…the remaining change from the dollar that morning….exactly 62 cents.  In that little act of specific obedience, God showed me my first tiny miracle. It was a small act of obedience, and an even smaller amount of money, but a huge lesson in learning to listen to and obey God, specifically.  It was also my first of many, many cool stories God gave me to share.

Yes, this blog’s been a long time a-comin’.

Long Time Comin

Third Day

Well I’ve been taking it all for granted
Everything that I, have been givin’
Now it is the day, to start my mission
It’s been a long time a comin’

There are many, searching for answers
Tell me who am I, to keep it to myself?
I’ve grown weary of my own fears
It’s been a long time a comin’

Chorus:
Well I’ve been running just like an outlaw
And I am willing and able
To give you something that you can believe on
It’s been a long time a comin’

True believers,
Have been staring, up into the sky
Waiting for your return
And I know one day
The clouds will roll down
It’s been a long time comin’