Why I Love Teddy Bears,
String Ribbons
And Balloons
In 1995 my sister Marie died and it was my responsibility to get her Flower Shop ready for sale. This was a perfect time to call upon the Lord for help on how to do this gigantic project. To start, I had to get plenty of large bags and began to pack different items. My husband asked me, “What I the world are you going to do with all this junk?” My response was, “I don’t know, but God does.” I just know I had to pack these teddy bears, rolls of beautiful string ribbon and balloons of all colors.
Our God is a wonderful God of the past, present, and future. He knew exactly how He wanted those items to be used. When we got home that evening, the great idea (sent by God) was to incorporate all the Teddy Bears, string ribbons and balloons into our “FNF” program. We were to use the Teddy Bears as gifts to the widows who were sick in the hospital, nursing homes or at home. We were to deliver these bears with a tract attached to the ribbon around the neck of the Teddy Bears telling the ladies that “God loves them and that they are special.”
Since 1995 our ladies at “FF”, delivered al the Teddy Bears that we brought from the Flower Shop and when we ran out of the Teddy Bears, we yearly purchased other Teddy Bears. To this date, hundreds of Teddy Bears have been delivered with lots of Christian love attached.
Now, before I tell you how God wanted me to use the beautiful string ribbons and balloons, I must give you a Bible verse from Ecclesiastes 3:1,4-(1) There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. (4) a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
“FNF” celebrates twice a year, the anniversary of “FNF” (June) and at Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year, at those two special meetings, we have seven-dozen of colorful helium balloons with beautiful string ribbons decorating each table to add to the feeling of a celebration.
Our wonderful God thinks of everything: A time to help others (serve) and a time to play!
“Lord, the one you love is sick.”
GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS
Jon records, “Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick” (NCV). Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus and because they went, Jesus responded. The healing didn’t take place for several days, but it was set in motion the moment the Lord was called on. Have you ever wondered where your prayers go?” “There was silence in heaven…And…Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden pan…with the prayer of all God’s…people. The angel put this offering…before the throne. The smoke…went up…to God with the prayers of God’s people” (Rev. 8:1-4 NCV). Why was there silence in heaven? Because someone was praying! Heaven pauses to hear the prayers of someone like you. The prayers of all God’s …people…went up…to God. Isn’t that awesome! Your words don’t stop until they reach the heart of God, so keep praying.
Notice, the friend who went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus said, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” He didn’t base his appeal on the imperfect love of the one in need, but on the perfect love of Jesus. He didn’t say, “The one who loves you is sick.” He said, “The one you love is sick” That’s different. The power of prayer doesn’t depend on the virtue of the one who prays, but on the unchanging love of the one who hears. Aren’t you glad? You may be deeply flawed, you may not understand the mystery of prayer, but this much is clear: Action begins in heaven when someone on earth prays.
“The Word For You Today”
Saturday, January 8, 2011 – John 11:13NIV
