Confession of a Glory Taker

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

When I got ready to leave for a meeting yesterday the temperature was 20F. It was cold! So, I got out the winter coat, my gloves and a scarf. I was toasty warm. I got through my meeting with my coat around my shoulders most of the time and moved on for the day.

It was a routine day until I headed into Redner’s for some groceries. There was a young woman there ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. She was in the unheated lobby with a coat and gloves on but she looked like she was freezing. I commented on the cold to her and went on into the store.

As I was shopping I felt a nudge from God to give her my scarf. It was one of the Pashimas that are pretty big. They’re warm because they bulk up when you wrap them around your neck. Mine had been around my warm neck for an hour or so and I knew it would feel good.

After I paid for my groceries I silently told God that if she was still there that I would give her the scarf. I walked out and there she was. I put the bag down and said, “I have something for you.” She looked at me puzzled as I started to take off the scarf. With a gorgeous big smile she started saying, “Really? Really? For me?” “Yes,” was all I said. As I started to walk away she asked what my name was. I told her and she said, “Beth, I’ll think of you every time I put it on.” I smiled and walked away. It felt pretty good.

When I got into my car I was still feeling good about that. I was wondering if I would be able to replace the scarf because it’s one I really liked. The rest of the day was pretty dull until I was getting ready for bed.

I am slowly but surely working my way through Matthew Henry’s book called “A Way to Pray.” I have read through the praise and confession chapters and was moving to “Petitions.” In the second paragraph Henry suggests praying, “Let us draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.” As I read the word “water” the Lord reminded me of Moses tapping the rock to get water for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. Indeed, the water came flowing out of the rock and Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10)

Moses had not brought water out of that rock any more than I had given that scarf to the woman ringing the bell. If God had not suggested it I would not have thought to do it. I was happy to obey His prompting but I left there letting her think of me when she put it on. What I should have done was give God the glory. I should have told her it was His idea not mine and let her think of how He provided for her in the cold!

My guess is that if this young woman was volunteering for the Salvation Army she is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and she may already know in her heart who provided the scarf. But, even with our brothers and sisters in the Lord we need to remind each other where the good gifts come from.

Matthew 5:16 quotes Jesus saying, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I can only hope that this young woman will give God the glory for his provision for her in the cold. As for me I think that I have been awakened to the fact that my acts of kindness are from the Lord – not my own good ideas. I pray that from now on whether I eat or drink, or what ever I do that I will do it all for the glory of God! (1 Corinthians 10:31)