Some articles I read are so beautiful. This one by Sarah Bessey, In which the Spirit inhabits the praises of the people, offers up personal encounters believers have with God. In this vein, wanted to salute the ordinary Christians who inspire me.

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This Christian walk has a lot of monotony to it. We all (including those with notoriety) daily put one foot in front of the other on this narrow path of faith. 

I want to salute some of those around me who travel their faith walk with beauty and grace.

For I believe when they meet God face to face, these seemingly ordinary tasks will be the very things He refers to when He says: 

Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21a).

My friends who weren’t sure God would bless them with a pregnancy. Now, their little guy has major health problems. Multiple trips each month back and forth to a university hospital equaling five hours roundtrip. They do this willingly. Because when God gives you something you thought you’d never have, your love shows up a little stronger. Never stop believing. Never quit fighting, mighty warrior.

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The single mom with two kids who survived divorce. Not her choice but her reality. Going from a stay-at-home mom to a full-time worker. Now, finding a way to open up her heart and the door to her family because a new, amazing guy has shown up. Finding a way to trust when life has you tired. Always trust. God never left your situation. Find Him there, daughter of the King. 

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A girlfriend who has a wonderful marriage. They are happy and her husband is a good daddy. But not one to attend church. So, she gets herself and the kids up every Sunday and finds seats for three in a roomful of couples and complete families. She knows the importance of raising children who know Christ. So much so she’s willing to do the thing alone. For them. For her. God continues to work and bless, faithful one.

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A young mom with three kids under the age of five. An entrepreneur building her business. Little sleep and never enough hours in the day. Yet always a smile on her face. She takes time for Bible study - kid free for two hours! In her spare time (as if), she blesses. The giver behind-the-scenes who delivers meals, drops off shower gifts and makes encouraging phone calls when she’s on the road. More blessed to give than to receive. She knows. God sees.

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Jesus rescued her. She spent years of her life trying to fill up the void inside with men, alcohol, work. She raised two boys. The oldest had limitations in learning. They told her that he likely would never read. But God had other plans. Today, she praises her Great Restorer. Her son reads and worships. Functions. She shares her testimony with all who will listen. Because when Jesus lifts you out of the pit, you must talk about it. Preach.

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She knows firsthand there are some days you can mentally walk your faith. And days you can’t. Medicine isn’t only for the weak. Daily, she prays for a sound mind. For the ability to be settled and at peace. To read her Bible or study questions and comprehend them well. You can have the joy of the Lord in your heart and it doesn’t always find its way to your brain. Trust Jesus to supply all your needs. He is there.

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Her cancer came on suddenly and in full force. She went from a healthy wife, mom and grandma to a woman fighting for her life. We see beauty and strength in her battle. She counts on prayers. In worship service, she doesn’t always have the strength to stand and sing. But she desperately needs to be in the presence of Jesus. When you don’t have the power, remember there’s power in the blood. Blessings.

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The prayer warrior. No one operates in privacy more than the intercessor. A busy, working grandma who cares for her elderly parents in her home. She takes prayer seriously. Often texting a friend, encouraging her and sharing that God laid it on her heart to pray for her. At the exact moment that friend needed to know she wasn’t alone, even in her lonely house. Sight unseen. World changer.

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Somewhere along the way, roles got reversed.  A couple now caring for their elderly parents. For her mom, who once seemed pretty agreeable, yet struggles to even be rational these days. For his dad, who has lingered at death’s door so often. Where they used to rely on their parents for wisdom and help, they now rely on Jesus for just a little more patience. Kindness towards these couples who gave them life and a faith all their own. Love well, children of God.