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One Bite at a Time – Laurie Thompson
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And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a, NKJV

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. My father drilled this adage into my head as a youngster. The purpose? To help me realize I could do anything if I put my mind to it and took things one step at a time. This approach was extremely helpful last year while my husband was deployed with the military. Some days seemed overwhelming. The tasks of managing our three children, my full-time job, and household duties were depressing at times and didn’t seem humanly possible. Looking at my husband’s fifteen-month mission all at once was discouraging. However, when I took it one day at a time or one week at a time, I was able to remain focused upon the tasks at hand and make it through.

No matter what happens during each day, God promises that His grace is sufficient. There are no contingencies. The Bible doesn’t say God’s grace is sufficient only on days that He is not busy on the other side of the world, or only on days He is not promoting world peace. God teaches in His Word that His grace is sufficient every day.

What are you facing today? God cares. Whatever it is, God will give you the grace necessary to endure and overcome. Before your feet even hit the floor in the morning, remember this and pray. Ask God to give you the grace needed just for today.

Just as you eat an elephant one bite at a time, don’t get ahead of yourself…take each task one at a time and live life one day at a time. It is much more enjoyable and you’ll feel like you have really accomplished something.

Laurie Elmore Thompson is a published author, an accomplished singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker. She has a M.Div. in Women’s Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her book, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity, can be purchased on Amazon.com by using the following link http://www.amazon.com/Lauries-Story-Discovering-Joy-Adversity/dp/193550777X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315398282&sr=1-1. Dr. Frank Page, President and CEO of the Executive Committee for the Southern Baptist Convention has said of Laurie’s new release: “A true story of God’s grace in the midst of a most difficult circumstance.” Laurie is also a regular contributing author for the Wives of Faith website at http://www.wivesoffaith.org/. Visit her ministry website and read her weekly blog at www.lauriethompsonministries.com. Laurie, her husband, and three children reside in Anderson, SC.

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Safe Secrets – Laurie Thompson
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But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4, NIV

They were a single income family and the father was recently laid off. We’d invited one of the children to a birthday party, not knowing their circumstances. Afterwards, we felt badly that a gift had even been given—but we didn’t want to insult them by returning it. The family had almost used all their savings on monthly bills and soon they wouldn’t be able to make their house payment. The fear of losing their home was becoming a reality. How could we help? How could we be a blessing to this precious family without making it obvious?

A few weeks later, God blessed us financially. We’d continued to be so burdened for this family in need they immediately came to mind. We wanted to help them anonymously, but we weren’t sure how. We contemplated mailing cash but decided against it, instead contacting their church and asking if we could make a check payable to the church for this specific family. Although there’d be no tax receipt…we didn’t care. This route was the surest and quickest way to help.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Through this experience, we came to understand this verse. This passage directly addresses how to help those in need, by not desiring accolades or even a tax receipt, rather doing it in a way that pleases God—secretly.

Who has the Lord put in your path recently? Do you know someone struggling financially—perhaps a co-worker who cannot pay their bills?

Ask the Lord to use you to meet that need, trusting He will answer and provide the resources. When you are given the opportunity, be a blessing to someone, and do it secretly.

Laurie Elmore Thompson is a published author, an accomplished singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker. She has a M.Div. in Women’s Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her book, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity, can be purchased on Amazon.com by using the following link http://www.amazon.com/Lauries-Story-Discovering-Joy-Adversity/dp/193550777X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315398282&sr=1-1. Dr. Frank Page, President & CEO of the Executive Committee for the Southern Baptist Convention has said of Laurie’s new release, “A true story Of God’s grace in the midst of most difficult circumstance.” Laurie is also a regular contributing author for the Wives of Faith website at http://www.wivesoffaith.org/. Visit her ministry website and read her weekly blog at www.lauriethompsonministries.com. Laurie, her husband, and 3 children reside in Anderson, SC.

Read Laurie’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!