This testimony was shared during service today, but it has the feel of a gemstone that belongs on the necklace that He is making of Echo's history, so I'll share it here, as well, as a part of our "written history."
Scene One: Rochelle's poor Buick is center stage. Though this faithful servant of many-many miles rarely complains, there are some issues. Right now the biggest concern is tires... Baldy 1, 2, 3, & 4 are all desperately seeking retirement, but this madwoman keeps driving on them all over the state of Michigan, whispering quick little prayers and encouragement to "keep it together, dear thing, something'll come up and we'll be able to get you some new shoes..." It becomes a prayer request on a couple of short lists, and she keeps on rolling...
Scene Two: Day before payday, madwoman decides to skip some bills and make the tires a priority. She calls a Faithful Friend (we'll call her Toni, since that's her name) who was getting some quotes, to tell her not to worry about it, she's just going to go somewhere tomorrow to get it done. Friend says, "Um, let me call you back..." Minutes later, Faithful Friend 2 (Cheryl) calls to say, "Well, now you've done it, blowing the surprise..." :)
Turns out the congregation had already put together tire money as a Minister Appreciation gift! WOW!!! Well! It could stop there, but no, He had more in store...
Scene Three: Earlier in the day, madwoman had called Toni to ask if she had any firewood for the family in Detroit that we are trying to help. Response: "Um, let me call you back..." Well, turns out that the firewood money had gone to help with the tire purchase! Toni called Faithful Friend 3 (Jeff), though, and POOF! firewood appears not only for our friends in Detroit, but for Toni too!
Scene Four: Madwoman turns to her friends and coworkers, one a Hindu and one a Muslim, and tells of this chain of events. Hindu Friend pauses a moment then says: "Your God really takes care of you."
It may start with giving what you think is a little, or insignificant, or you may even think you are just blessing one person... but as you serve and touch and speak... as you shine that little light where it's supposed to shine... you may find that you've been the only light shining in a dark place, a place that desperately needs light. You may also find that your little light was part of a bigger mosaic, and series of events and colors and sounds that becomes a portrait... of a BODY...
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