from Ron Rose
January 7, 2008

Preparation

Did you hear about Chet Fitch? He's the man from Ashland Oregon who sent hand written Christmas cards from Heaven after his funeral. He closed the cards with:

"I'll probably be seeing some of you sooner than you think.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet"

Chet's barber was in on the elaborate prank; evidently Chet had always been a prankster. This time thirty-four friends were victims of the hoax.

There is something, however, something deep within the human spirit that longs for a word from Heaven. The thought of receiving a greeting from the other side is intriguing. Don't miss the point here, I'm not talking about a warning buzzer, or a penalty flag or flashing lights in the rearview mirror. No one longs for that kind of greeting. But we do yearn for a genuine, personal, trustworthy word from the God who made us, something with our name on it... something directive and priceless.

Well, I have one for all of us. It's straight from 777 Golden Street. Ready?

"This is your leap year... so make me proud!"

The Holy Book says that the we are all placed on this planet for one purpose, to glorify God...to make the creator look good, to make Him proud. That word has your name all over it.

Inspiration

My friend Max Lucado tells of a poor Brazilian named Maria. She was a single parent barely making a living in a little village on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Maria's 15-year old daughter, Christina was strong-willed, bored and longed for the excitement of the city. Each night Christina dreamed of the day when she would leave this "do nothing" village and live in the lights of Rio.

Then one day, without warning Christina was gone. She left a note saying that she had to leave and follow her dreams in the city.

Maria was devastated. For weeks she took on extra jobs, sold household items, and finally she gathered all her savings and headed to the bus station. After buying her ticket, she sat in the photo kiosk and spent all the money for pictures of herself.

Once in Rio, Maria searched everywhere for her defiant daughter. She left a picture of herself at each place she visited. She didn't find Christina or anyone who knew her, but she left lots of pictures. In the end, it was a long bus ride home.

Christina's dream had crumbled. Nothing was like she had expected. She longed to be back in her "boring" room, but she was too ashamed to take that step. After all, how could her mother ever take her back?

It had been a terrible night. Christina couldn't take this "street" life much longer. She hated herself and her world.

Then, a picture on the lobby bulletin board caught her eye. It was her mother!

Christina pulled the picture off the board and turned it over. There was a note scribbled on the back.

"No matter what you've done. No matter what you've become.
Please come home."

She did! It was her word from Heaven!

Motivation

It doesn't matter what we've done, or what we've become. God wants us home. And, when we take that step toward home, it makes him proud.

When you step out of your limitations, toward heaven, out of your comfort zone and risk embarrassment, or failure, or rejection, when you take that leap, trusting God to show up...you make Him proud.

So, write it down! This is your year to leap...to make Him proud. Live to make God look good. Take that step and I can guaranty one thing...Your faith journey will soar to a higher yet unexplored level. Ready for that?