Feb
15
2019
Mini English Class
Posted in Worship 2 Comments
The card was on the kitchen island.
It was waiting for me when I got downstairs.
I knew by the red envelope, it was a Valentine.
My card to my husband was also on the island from the night before.
I thought he would get downstairs first in the morning.
However, a meeting changed his schedule a bit.
I was downstairs before him.
We each opened our cards at the same time.
Tucked inside the card was something each of us enjoyed.
His card had a gift certificate to his favorite breakfast place.
Along with the gift card was a promise that we would go out to breakfast on his day off.
I confess that I was secretly hoping for a certain thing in my Valentine.
There it was.
It was a gift certificate for a pedicure.
A pedicure is a wonderful indulgence.
It is an hour to relax and be pampered a bit.
I made the appointment.
I am looking forward to the time in the pedicure chair.
Even in the winter time, it is something I do.
There is something about a pedicure that makes me feel more feminine.
The first time I went to this salon, I went with one of my daughters.
I have brought my girls with me on occasion to have some mother/daughter time.
Usually, I get a pedicure alone.
I enjoy sitting and being quiet for a while.
I remember the day I had a young girl who tried very hard to speak English.
I understood her, though I had to listen intently to each word.
I remember the day she asked me for a favor.
Could you talk to me and help my words?
Of course, I answered her, not really knowing exactly what she wanted me to do.
This was not a time to read a book.
This was not a time to check my emails.
This time in the pedicure chair was a mini English class.
I asked her questions.
She answered me in English.
When she could not think of a word, she would talk in her own language.
Then she would catch herself and give me a look as if to say, Help!
I would say in English what I thought she was trying to say.
She would smile.
She would repeat it a few times.
She was so proud of herself.
That went on for many pedicure appointments.
She was taking classes at night but here she had a captive audience.
Here she had a person who was tutoring her one on one.
It was a wonderful privilege to help her in such a practical way.
I wondered why she wanted me to help her?
Did she know that I love to listen?
Did she know that I love words?
Did she know that I love conversation with people?
She could not possibly know all of that about me.
But God knew.
God knew what that sweet girl needed to receive.
God knew what I needed to give.
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:1-14)
One day, all the nations will stand before the Throne of God.
Jesus, the Lion of Judah is the Lamb that was slain.
By His blood, Jesus purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
The words are spoken, heard, and understood.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!
That is why it was a privilege to help this sweet girl.
We will stand before the Throne of God.
And we will speak; and we will be understand.
And the Lamb will be worshiped.
Beautiful message, quote and song–thank you, Gina!
You are welcome, Sue.
I am glad you were blessed.
Andrew Peterson’s song is precious to me.
Gina