accept the blessing

Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! 

Come to the waters; 

and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! 

Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk 

without money and without price 

[simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. 

Isaiah 55:1 Amplified

This is the first time I really read this verse in the Amplified version, or perhaps it leaped off the page at me because I am focused on surrender this month.

I would not have thought that it takes surrender to accept blessings, but I recently walked through an example of such.  Rick and I spent a weekend in Winnipeg to meet with someone about plans for long term mission work.  Our usual mode of operation would have been to book a hotel room but the person who arranged our meetings also knows how costs can quickly accumulate when you're on the road building a support team.  He found a couple from his church who were willing to provide us a place to shelter.

Before we headed to the city various conversations occurred in my head:

Me:  Guess I don't need to pack a swimsuit, no hotel whirlpool to relax in
Me:  This trip isn't about luxury, but what life will be like without such things.
Me:  I know, I know, but....

Me:  Oh well, we have to stay with strangers but it will save money.
Me:  Yes, but this could be a divine appointment.  God knows what He's doing.  

Me:  I don't like to impose on others... I'm used to paying my own way.
Me:  Get used to it.

The weekend was a delight.  Not only did our hosts provide delicious breakfasts but also warm fellowship around the table.  Strangers became friends, and certainly God smiled.

All of our other meals were prepared and shared at no cost to us, at the home of the couple who hosted the visitors we were meeting with, giving us much more time for conversation than we had expected.

I remember whispering to Rick that we have to get used to accepting and receiving hospitality. We needed to clothe ourselves in humility. We needed to surrender false pride. We needed to surrender self-sufficiency.

In that surrender, blessing followed blessing followed blessing.

this is Day 2 of 31 days of surrender









also joining Emily and the broken but redeemed






and at Beth's with my 3 words