Today, America's THANKSGIVING DAY, we are celebrating the 4th anniversary of our blog, PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS. God has been faithful and we praise Him for His goodness. I'm re-posting my original post from November 27th, 2004. Be challenged!Here's that post:
Recently I stopped at a favourite restaurant of mine, hoping to enjoy a quiet, relaxing lunch in the middle of a busy, hectic day of “ministry”. The hostess seated me in a back room away from the buffet area where people were helping themselves.
A few moments later a group of mentally challenged adults, with their caregivers, were seated at a long table next to me. My solitude was short-lived! These people were grunting and groaning, shouting and calling out. Two other families asked if they could be seated in another area of the restaurant when they saw these people arrive. In the midst of the noise, God’s Holy Spirit spoke (or shouted) to my heart. I immediately thought WWJS …”where would Jesus sit?” if He were here. Of course He would be found at the center of that table, showering His love, care and compassion on these dear, precious people. If that’s where Jesus would sit, then I wanted to follow “in His steps” and look upon this intrusion on my “quiet time” as an opportunity to watch God at work.
The caregivers lovingly attended to their clients, helping them with their food and patiently expressing God’s love in a tangible way. The outbursts of these people, created in the image of God, became like a symphony, a choir, to my ears.
I was so intrigued by watching this transpire before my eyes that I lingered at my seat long after I’d finished my meal. As I was leaving, one of these dear people choked on her food and her caregiver handled the situation so well. Tears came to my eyes and I thanked God for my “quiet lunch”.
Oh that we might see people as our loving, compassionate Father sees them! Oh that our hearts might be broken by the things that break His heart! God had noisily got my attention that day!
Let’s look for opportunities today to witness God’s loving care for His people. Let’s ask how we can be His arms extended to His people today, ministering His love, mercy and grace to those who so desperately need His touch!
For more information on the organization that these wonderful people are involved with, please check out their web site at http://www.christian-horizons.org/
Congratulations on your four year blogiversary. I'm looking forward to many, many more posts from you in the coming years.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this 4 year milestone!!! This blog is such an encouragement and ministry to so many of us who read it on a regular basis...thank you for your faithfulness in writing!!!
Dearest David,
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th Blogiversary! How wonderful to read your original post. It reveals your heart...a heart towards God...and one who loves people too. What a blessing you are to so many. I thank God for you David!
Love and blessings...Susan
Hello David.
ReplyDeleteAs Susan's husband, I do not have the "gift" of blogging but do appreciate reading what the Lord has laid on the hearts of so many.
Having read your first blog, it made me think that we believers are so like the challenged...often making grunts, groans, shouts & outbursts in the midst of our surroundings while our Heavenly Father lovingly cares for our every need; understanding our grunts, calming our groans, bringing peace to our hearts in the shouts & outbursts. What great love our Good Shepherd lavishes on us!
May the Lord give you many more years of blogging! And, some day, Susan and I hope to travel to Canada to meet you & your family.
Happy 4th blogiversary, David! I'm glad you are still here and that you are still blessing the rest of us with your posts. My very best wishes to you in the years to come.... Blessings, Debra
ReplyDeleteDear David..I am so sorry that I missed your fourth anniversay!
ReplyDeleteI should of been folowing you closer but I was a bit under the weather that week.
I am feeling much better, so I want to tell you, don't you ever quit blogging!
You have been my inspiration for years and when you created Pilgrims Pals, that was a real blessing to so many people.
Yuu are my encouragement David...Love Terry
Happy "Blogiversary"! I remember reading your first post before and thinking it was very touching...just like it was on the second reading. I say "ditto" to what Terry said. Not to steal your words Terry, but I couldn't say it better if I tried! I don't think I've ever come to visit Pilgrim Scribblings and left without being inspired to continue my walk with God and/or having something to think about.
ReplyDeleteHere's to many more blogiversaries!!
-lauren
Reading about your 'quiet lunch' brought tears to my eyes. Being the caretaker (mom) of a young son with Down syndrome, I've had the stares and glances given to me at times when he acts up in public. I'm here to tell you how blessed I am each and every day to be Nathan's caretaker. Would't change a thing about him or what I have to do. I'm glad you were blessed by lingering long after your lunch. Bless you.
ReplyDelete