Candy for You, Too?

Several Summers back, I volunteered to help with a week-long day camp called Vacation Bible School. On the final day, we taught the kids about sharing with others the lavish love they receive from Jesus.

We used this fun illustration in which, as I stood at the front talking to the kids, I loudly and obviously ate candy. As we expected, they began asking us to share it with them! The whole point was to show them that when we display God's love in our lives, others will see Him so they can know Him as well!

I noticed something about the kids' reactions that I believe has relevance for us. The children who believed we would give them candy found the illustration to be funny. They knew we were up to  something, because they knew us as kind leaders! But other kids just looked sad. They believed we were just eating in front of them with no intention of sharing. Maybe they were used to leaders who didn't have their best at heart. So the difference in attitude boiled down to hope!

Have you ever noticed people around you being blessed with the very things you want and need? Does it make you feel passed  over? Or do you get excited about the possibilities? I used to feel passed over. But a few years ago, a pastor told me God has us share stories of blessing so others can get excited about what He wants to do for them! I took her words to heart and started seeking this for myself. Soon after, I had a whole year-long season in which I encountered person after person having great success where I was needing success! I took it as a kiss from God and got excited! Glad I did. Turns out she's right; He has a lot of great plans for us!

I'll end with a fun story. Several years back, I dreamed of starting a fashion company. Around that time, I met and befriended a young woman with a similarly entrepreneurial vision of becoming a jazz musician. She talked about how it was easy to pursue her goal as a married woman because her husband could support them while she got started. I thought how nice that would be to not have to work full time so I could pursue my own dreams. I thought I'd have to wait until I was married to really pursue what I wanted.

Guess what? Jesus is the most supportive husband there is! The Bible says we as His people are the "bride of Christ," because He loves and supports us. The short of what happened for me is this: within the year, God made a way for me to move to NYC and gather a small team of financial supporters so I could start my fashion company! Hearing her story planted a seed in my heart, even though I was skeptical! Nothing stops God's love from  overtaking our hearts!

So if you are seeing lots of success around you, take it as a sign and brace yourself! He is showing you so He can do it for you!