“I Have Something For You”
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
This past August was a time of trials for me: my wife of 35 years was called home to Heaven, I accepted a Call to a new position, I moved from St. Louis to Michigan, I had to arrange for housing, I put my old house on the market and stepped into the world of teaching/Principal after a 7- year hiatus.
I share this not to elicit sympathy, but to give you a glimpse of my state of mind – I was “in a fog.” I was operating on the “Woe is me” mode – feeling sorry for myself and my circumstances. Daily chores were performed on “auto-pilot,” meals skipped and sleep became elusive.
It was one sunny September day that I walked into the Kindergarten classroom. The Kindergarten room was never my favorite place to go. The children were too active, too noisy and too “alive” for my nature. I was more at home with the 7th and 8th graders – at least I could demand silence. Yes, the Kindergarten room would be my personal “Fear Factor” challenge – one that I would usually fail.
But I took a deep breath and strode purposely into the room. The children were busy working at their tables, some at the kitchen center, still others at the carpet reading center. It was calm, it was soothing, I was surprised. It was then that I heard a small voice call out from across the room, “Mr. Co-hr-sssss, Mr. Cohrs!”
“Yes,” it seemed an appropriate response.
“I have something for you!”
I looked apprehensively at the teacher. Her nod gave me just enough confidence to reply, “What is it?”
It was then that a small boy appeared across the room, stood, sized me up and then ran head long as fast as his little legs could carry him to me. He tackled my knees, hugged me tight, looked up at me and smiled, “I have a hug for you!”
Immediately the rest of the room erupted as I was smothered in hugs by little arms reaching out. Tears came to my eyes – I had to leave the room.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
At that moment, on that day, those children became the arms of God. God used them for His message of “I am with you. It will be OK for I am with you. See, I sent you my disciples of love. Relax, enjoy, heal.”
God has something for each of us – “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:7‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” (Luke 24)
Yes, we have the Hope, the Promise of Life Eternal. God has plans for us – plans to prosper. What a comfort for those who mourn, what a comfort for those who are overwhelmed by trials, what a comfort for those who are discouraged.
Perhaps today is the day when you will be the hands of Jesus reaching out to reassure His divine love for someone. Perhaps this is the day that you will declare, “It is OK, God paid for your sins, go in peace.” Perhaps this is the day that you will hear someone say, “I have something for you.”
God bless you.
Jeremiah 29:11
This past August was a time of trials for me: my wife of 35 years was called home to Heaven, I accepted a Call to a new position, I moved from St. Louis to Michigan, I had to arrange for housing, I put my old house on the market and stepped into the world of teaching/Principal after a 7- year hiatus.
I share this not to elicit sympathy, but to give you a glimpse of my state of mind – I was “in a fog.” I was operating on the “Woe is me” mode – feeling sorry for myself and my circumstances. Daily chores were performed on “auto-pilot,” meals skipped and sleep became elusive.
It was one sunny September day that I walked into the Kindergarten classroom. The Kindergarten room was never my favorite place to go. The children were too active, too noisy and too “alive” for my nature. I was more at home with the 7th and 8th graders – at least I could demand silence. Yes, the Kindergarten room would be my personal “Fear Factor” challenge – one that I would usually fail.
But I took a deep breath and strode purposely into the room. The children were busy working at their tables, some at the kitchen center, still others at the carpet reading center. It was calm, it was soothing, I was surprised. It was then that I heard a small voice call out from across the room, “Mr. Co-hr-sssss, Mr. Cohrs!”
“Yes,” it seemed an appropriate response.
“I have something for you!”
I looked apprehensively at the teacher. Her nod gave me just enough confidence to reply, “What is it?”
It was then that a small boy appeared across the room, stood, sized me up and then ran head long as fast as his little legs could carry him to me. He tackled my knees, hugged me tight, looked up at me and smiled, “I have a hug for you!”
Immediately the rest of the room erupted as I was smothered in hugs by little arms reaching out. Tears came to my eyes – I had to leave the room.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
At that moment, on that day, those children became the arms of God. God used them for His message of “I am with you. It will be OK for I am with you. See, I sent you my disciples of love. Relax, enjoy, heal.”
God has something for each of us – “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:7‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” (Luke 24)
Yes, we have the Hope, the Promise of Life Eternal. God has plans for us – plans to prosper. What a comfort for those who mourn, what a comfort for those who are overwhelmed by trials, what a comfort for those who are discouraged.
Perhaps today is the day when you will be the hands of Jesus reaching out to reassure His divine love for someone. Perhaps this is the day that you will declare, “It is OK, God paid for your sins, go in peace.” Perhaps this is the day that you will hear someone say, “I have something for you.”
God bless you.