Diane Virginia

Every Person Matters

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love … made us alive together with Christ." (
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
a NKJV)

“No!” Fred said, covering his overflowing ashtray, “You can clean everything else, but my desk is off-limits.”

I complied. How could I complain? When I realized I had been assigned to a chemistry lab when I’d barely passed Chemistry 101 on my second try with a C-, I thought I’d be fired my first day. My boss, Fred, had changed my job title from “lab technician” to “stockroom supplier” which enabled me to keep my job and saved me the embarrassment of explaining my lack of chemistry knowledge.

My first day had been a blur. I had envisioned blowing up the lab while Fred explained in chem-speak how to mix chemicals, and which ones needed ice for their cool-down periods. On my second day, I had shared my predicament. Fred sighed for what felt like an eternity and said he’d find a way for me to still mix chemicals. And he did. But the might-blow-up-the-lab concoctions he took care of personally.

This gave me tons of time to inventory the stockroom shelves, properly dispose of outdated chemicals, order new stock, and fluff Fred’s chair daily, occasionally slipping a hand-picked flower onto the edge of his desk, secretly blowing ashes onto the floor so I could sweep them up.

Still, I wondered if I’d proven useful to Fred at all.

I never once saw Fred empty that ashtray. But more than the ashtray needed tending. Fred used tobacco and alcohol to cope with personal pain. When this became apparent to his boss, a shouting match ensued. I silently prayed the kindness Fred had shown me by permitting me to keep my job would be repaid, permitting him to keep his.

After a few tense days of no Fred, my boss showed back up.

“Gotta go to treatment. Don’t ask more,” he said.

I nodded, fluffed his chair while he fussed about it, and swept around his feet. Fred cursed as he lifted them for me to sweep there, and pointed out the spot I missed, which I gladly cleaned up. Knowing he’d holler, I lifted the overflowing ashtray. He won. The mess stayed. Not to be emptied. Ever.

I finally knew why I was there. My job wasn’t about ordering supplies, cleaning and inventorying, and certainly not about mixing lab concoctions. I was there for one reason—Fred needed to know that he mattered.

"Come see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (
John 4:29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
NKJV)

In John’s gospel, we read about Jesus valuing an adulteress who had five husbands. Jesus not only spoke with her one-on-one, He went out of His way, traveling to Samaria—where Jews did not visit—to minister to her emotional and spiritual needs. Jesus valued the one. He valued the least of the least—but to Him she mattered as much as anyone. He then stayed two days sharing the same message to all the Samaritans—that each individual mattered.

Friend, who is the “Fred” or the “Samaritan woman” God has put into your life? You know what to do. Find your own way to fluff the chair, blow on the ashtray, and demonstrate to that individual that they have value.

Who is the “Fred” God wants you to minister His love to?

Heavenly Father, help me to demonstrate by my actions, that men are created with purpose, and in Your Beloved Son’s image. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Watch the Bubbles

As my car crawled along the automated car wash track, my thoughts drifted to times past, when my husband and I would take our children through the car wash for the express purpose of playing “watch the bubbles.”

“Daddy, my bubble is racing yours!” our son would say.

“Mine is turning swishy circles!” our daughter would say.

I stroked my silver-steaked hair and prayed, “God, why do I still want to watch bubbles? My children are driving their own cars now. This is silly.” Just then, a scripture came to mind,

“... for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (
Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
b KJV)

For God’s pleasure, and for ours, He creates. God invents the science behind what makes car wash bubbles fascinating to watch, but He doesn’t stop there. He creates snails with stripes and bushes with glitter dots. He makes a dove’s feathers to sing as she takes flight. He fashions the honeybee’s wings to interlock like a zipper during flight. God, the masterful creator, wants us to enjoy His creation the way He does. But there’s more ...

Father God loves His people so much He gives them the innate ability to create, for He made mankind in His image. Only after God created people did He see that,

“... it was very good ..." (
Genesis 1:31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
b KJV)

Of the rest of His creation, He saw that

“... it was good.” (
Genesis 1:4-25 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Then God said, "Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth." And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space "sky." And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day. Then God said, "Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear." And that is what happened. God called the dry ground "land" and the waters "seas." And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. Then God said, "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth." And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day. Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind." So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth." And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day. Then God said, "Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals." And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
KJV)

Paul records the works that we are created to accomplish with the Lord’s empowerment,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
KJV)

There is even more ...

The Heavenly Father treasures mankind so much that He comes into the midst and sings His children a love song. Scripture records His thoughts,

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ... he will joy over thee with singing." (
Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.* He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
KJV)

Even though this is a song a person can’t hear with the natural ear, rest assured that He sings. And sometimes, when a worshipper is in the midst of praising His Creator, the Lord allows this melody to bubble within the heart.

Friend, since you are loved so much by your Creator that He sings over you, then enjoy the world He has fashioned. Next, praise Him for the ability He places within you to accomplish the works He has ordained you to do. But most of all, Praise Him for being the magnificent Heavenly Daddy who has uniquely created you.

Father God, thank You that You created all things, including me, for your enjoyment.

The Speeding Ticket

The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over.

“Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?”

“I wasn’t paying attention.” I knew not knowing my speed was no excuse. I was responsible for operating my vehicle safely. The officer ticketed me and I went my way.

When I got home, I looked up the potential consequences: one-year revocation of license, lawyer costs, court costs. I felt nauseous.

Rather than worrying further, I bowed and put the situation in God’s mighty hands. Father, You gave me the license, so it is Yours to take or to give as You desire. I release this situation to You. I called my husband, and he called our attorney.

“I can possibly get the charges reduced by 10 miles per hour,” the lawyer said, “or if we’re lucky the charges could be reduced to ‘improper equipment.’” He explained his rates, court costs, and potential insurance rate hikes. “Do you have questions I can help you with? And try not to worry about this. I’ll do my best to get this matter resolved.”

“When I go to court, will you be with me?”

“No.”

“What?”

“I am going in your place. You stay home. I will speak to the judge on your behalf, and I will represent you.”

A few days later, my lawyer called. “Your case has been dismissed.”

“Dismissed? As in, forgiven?” I was shocked.

“Not exactly. It’s better than that.”

“Better?”

“Dismissed means we are acting as if this never happened. It will not appear on your record at all. You’ll owe no court costs, and this will not be reported to your insurance. Your slate is wiped clean.”

“Thank you for representing me. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? Are you sure?”

“That’s right. My services are gratuitous.”

The next morning, the scripture I read during my quiet time was,

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (
Psalms 86:5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
KJV)”

God is good, and even if my license had been revoked, I would still have reason to believe this is true.

Father God loves us so much He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place and to take the punishment for our transgressions—even the ones that are more serious than traffic violations. Every way we’ve messed up, Jesus has already paid for.

Father God has made it possible through belief in His Son Jesus, for our record of sins to be wiped away.

KJV reads,

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”

Jesus erases the charges that are against us with His own shed blood. It is as if we have never sinned, even though we were the guilty ones. The work Jesus accomplished is beyond forgiveness; the charges against us have been dismissed.

When we get to heaven, no one will say, “Remember when you were speeding?” Not only are we forgiven, we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17b NLT reads,

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to wipe my record clean.

Where's Nemo?

“We should name him Nemo,” I teased as we lowered our goldfish into the backyard pond. But then, there were those two cute dots at the base of his tail and two bigger dots on his fins.

“How about Duce?” my husband suggested.

“Perhaps Dos?” I countered.

And so, it was decided; his name would be Ducy-Dos. We were happy and so was our goldfish, but that changed the day of the accident. While we were cleaning the pond, Ducy-Dos tumbled into the pump housing.

For weeks, I kept the pump lid off, waiting to catch a glimpse of Ducy-Dos. I placed a net pondside, so I’d be able to take decisive action. I tempted our goldfish to surface, enticing him with tasty snacks. After three months of frequenting the pump housing, hoping to save our fish, I positioned the lid back into place.

“Honey, don’t give up so fast.” my husband encouraged.

“He's not coming out of there.” Unable to retrieve Ducy-Dos, I had concluded our prized fish was dead.

“But we prayed ...”

My husband's words, “but we prayed,” echoed within me like a soft hammer. Sure. We had prayed three months ago, when the accident first happened. So why hadn’t I sighted our beloved fish on the first day we had prayed? I was convinced our prayer was too trivial for God’s ears. Besides, why should He retrieve our fish when I should’ve been more careful positioning the pump lid?

But then, there was the lightning storm and subsequent power failure. When the pumps switched off, I raced to the edge of the pond to make sure they would start correctly when electricity was restored. Sitting in the rain, listening to the thunder, I thought about Ducy-Dos. But we prayed. My husband’s words echoed in my heart once again, along with the scripture that nothing—absolutely nothing—is impossible for a holy God.

“... nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Matthew 17:20 "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.*" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
b

Scripture echoes the same sentiment in I Peter. Because I am the Lord’s, I am:

“a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,” and I should be able to “shew forth the praises of him who hath called… [me] …out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,* a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
KJV

Ducy-Dos, if alive, was very much in the dark. But, wasn’t I as well? I wasn’t putting faith in the words I had spoken to God. I needed to believe He could raise Ducy-Dos out of that pump housing. I wanted to tap into the realm of God and be different — yes, peculiar — because of my faith. I surrendered my little fish to the Lord and trusted Him to give or take Ducy-Dos at His will. I was at peace, even while the rain pelted me, drenching my clothing through to my skin.

To my utter amazement, when the power came on and the pumps re-started, a big gulp of water, air, and algae came spouting into the air, and with it our beloved fish! Ducy-Dos landed splat into my open hands, which by reflex I grasped onto tightly.

“Ducy-Dos!” I cried, examining him as if he was a newborn babe. His color was faded, but other than that, he was unharmed. We renamed our goldfish Nemo and thanked God for this unusual answer to prayer.

Friends, never give up on something you've prayed about. God has a wonderful way of granting surprises because He is good, and He loves you. Make the decision to praise Him even when you're experiencing the storms of life.

Thank You, God, that with You, all things are possible through prayer.

Jeweled Chicken Sandals

“Mom, I fed the chickens. Here’s your sandals back,” my daughter said.

“Back?” I tried to hide my dismay, “You wore the jeweled ones?” The odor rising from the pleather revealed the answer.

“I just borrowed them quick.”

I glanced at my jeweled sandals. As pretty as they were, they now had a designated purpose. I would use them when I fetched eggs or cared for my hens. My jeweled sandals were now the purtiest’ chicken sandals I’d ever owned. They stank. Bad stank. Invading the kitchen stank. I dropped the sandals outside, closed the door, and blew my nose.

As unusual as it may seem, I knew my daughter’s quick grab happened for a purpose. It reminded me I am called to holiness. The Apostle Paul writes,

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)”

This verse reminds me that in the spiritual realm I am called to keep out of the chicken coop. But there’s more...

Because I’ve been trapped in the coop before, this reminds me to help my friends. We need each other. When I think of how often I’ve gotten trapped inside the coop, and proceeded to walk wherever I willed until someone extended a hand of mercy to me, this makes it easy to extend a helping hand. 1 Peter 2:10 reads,

“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (KJV)”

God puts us in a spiritual family, and I choose to be available when my friends are needing prayer, a hand up, or just a listening ear so they can work through a chicken coop situation.

The Bible is infallible. Every answer is in the Book. But I am called to have more than head-knowledge — I am called to have a vital relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ. As I cultivate a relationship with Jesus, I become like Him. As I spend this time with Him, He tucks the gift of love inside my person.

I’ll never arrive, this side of heaven, even though I want to be completely holy. But I know every moment I spend with my Jesus is cleansing. He is the One I can count on to create in me the holiness I desire as I rest in His presence, read and meditate on His Word, and receive His love. I cherish these times with my Lord.

Every time I wear my jeweled chicken sandals, I’ll be reminded of three spiritual truths:

I am called to stay out of the coop,
I need to be available to rescue friends who are in the coop, and
I am my best self when I maintain a vital relationship with Jesus.

Father God, help me to live a life that is pleasing to You by following Christ.

Angela's Apple

“Would you like a slice of apple?” Angela asked.

“Sure,” I replied, not knowing she had quietly asked others who sat at the conferee lunch table, the same question.

Angela divided the apple into equal sections — carefully, precisely — until she got to the last two slices. These she made very thin and served them to her husband Victor and herself. Had I known she was going to share the entire apple with so many conferees, I would have declined so she and Victor could have had more. But that was not Angela’s way. She enjoyed serving God’s people. I didn’t know this then, for it was the first day I met her.

How many ate of Angela’s apple? Five? Perhaps six? I think it was more than seven. I do not recall this detail but I do remember well Angela’s gentle act of generosity and the pleasure she had in sharing with us. As I got to know her, I realized she shared whatever the Lord gave her, whether it was an apple or any other possession, and she went about serving people in the gentlest way possible.

Whether it was working the call center phones to pray with individuals, working the altars, or slicing apples at lunch, these acts spoke of her priorities — Jesus must be first, and she must also prioritize serving others above herself.

Angela did not get much of an apple slice the day I met her, but she was satiated to her core with something more valuable. She was filled with God’s presence.

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

a reads,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (KJV)

Angela excelled at gentleness and many other spiritual fruits. She had a genuineness about her that everyone who met her knew was real. It came from her relationship with the Lord Jesus.

My friend’s example taught me how we express Christ’s love in everyday living speaks more powerfully than any noble performance. Some try to hide an act that’s not good; Angela tried to hide her good works so Jesus could be seen through her instead.

b reads,

“... the good works of some are manifested beforehand.” (KJV)

This typified Angela. Even though she tried to go unnoticed, her humility, gentleness, and generosity caused her to stand out like a sparkling gem.

Through Angela’s example, I learned that sharing the Lord’s love is not complicated. Rather, it starts by spending time in His presence, and then from this vital connection, it continues through the everyday expressions of ordinary living. Angela had the innate ability to make Jesus’s love real, through simple acts, like slicing apples.

Friend, let’s spend time with Jesus and then let’s start slicing some apples.

Father God, help us to daily serve Your people through acts of genuine love.

Diane

Virginia

Contributing Writer

More from Diane Virginia

More from Diane Virginia