Broken Vessel

“Pizza again?!” hollered my friend on the other end of the line.

“Yes…but this time because it was for a good cause,” I replied with a chuckle.

My son’s tennis team had a fund-raiser last night at one of the pizza places in our town. The budget is really tight this year because of our economy. My friend teased me because it seemed like I just had pizza the other day and then, she learned that I had some more last night. As soon as my husband came home, together with our son, we went there and had ordered the largest pizza to help out the team in whatever way.

My son, after eating a couple of slices, went out and stood by the door with the other teammates. They started handling out some flyers to let the people walking in that they needed help.

The coach came to the table where my hubby and I just got done eating our pieces. Sipping my rootbeer, he uttered, “Thank you guys for coming here and helping us out. Thank you for the donation you gave. It truly helps us and I just want you to know that some of the money, we give back to the boys who have potential and do well academically through scholarships.”

“That’s a great cause. Wish we can give you more,” I uttered.

As he turned to my husband, the coach continued, “Right now, it’s not looking good, too. There are 178 teachers facing a possible lay offs.” He sighed… “And I’m one of them.”

The rootbeer was suddenly hard to swallow as I heard his words. My husband and I looked at each other and we talked through those eyes, knowing that we needed to lift them up in our prayers.

“Coach,” we both said, “We’ll pray for everyone. This is really a tough economy. So unstable and a lot are hurting. But we hope that it won’t happen for you and other great teachers we have.”

He shook our hands as our son came to the table and got done helping out with the flyers. We all got up and said bye to the coach. And we shared the sad news with our son, though we knew it before during the initial meeting we had before they started playing tennis. But the news seemed becoming a reality now more than ever.

I didn’t need to eat pizza. Trying to live a healthier lifestyle. But our schools and tennis team are in great need. Whatever little money we had, we gave to help out. As we asked the Lord to bless it prior to giving it. And as my son handed the money to his coach, I thought about the boy who brought 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fishes who was in the big crowd, eager to hear about Jesus but the people were all hungry and had nothing to eat. Of how Jesus gave thanks to God and broke those bread and fishes and was able to feed the 5,000. There were even left overs! 12 baskets of bread and fishes! [John 6:1-14]

Of those times when Mary broke an alabaster jar containing an expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped it with her hair. Its content worth a year’s wages. How she demonstrated to give sacrificially to the One she loved so much. And no one felt that impact but Jesus Himself, that He wanted this act remembered forever. [Mark 14:3]

Of how God chose the way of brokenness in order to be used. [1 Corinthians 11:24 - “and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”

Likewise we must chose the way of brokenness. [2 Corinthians 4:7 - “But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shine within us - is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.”]

I looked at the left over 5 pieces of pizza. Served whole earlier. 2 slices for my husband, myself, my son and a teammate who sat next to my son, starving and had no money to buy. It is through breaking one whole thing, and sharing it that the power of God and His blessings are known. I want to be broken and spill a fragrant scent of worship like that alabaster jar.

Oh Lord, I don’t even know how to pray this morning. Knowing there are so many precious friends and family hurting. During this hard, economic times and also spiritually. Lord, You alone know their needs and I lift them up to You. Thank You for all the blessings that You give us, in return we are able to use to bless others. Remind me O Lord to be humble, knowing that the power and all the blessings are from You, not my own doing. Thank You Lord for the strength, the protection, the discernment and everything that You always give to us. Thank You for Who You are, God of love. Who gives us “wholeness” in our broken state. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

[Please pray for our teachers facing lay offs. And for many, many others hurting at this time. God bless you all.]

19 comments:

  1. This post hurts b/c of the pain so many are going through. Just yesterday I learned of the closing of a sardine plant in Maine, the last in the country. 138 people lost their jobs. A major city in Calif. would be putting city workers on 3 day work weeks. And a police dept. had to let 7 officers and staff go. The news hurts.

    For years we have run a debt-based society (through borrowing from the Federal Reserve). Now it is catching up to us. Sadly, it is not the "little people" - the workers, like teachers, mechanics, policemen, construction workers, factory workers, etc. - who have caused this this, but they (we) are getting hurt buy it.

    I pray for all the workers of America, and even the world, that honest government and ethical economic practices according to the Bible would be standard procedure so the people could have work, housing and food.

    We can't change the system on our own, but we can be aware of the problems and we can certainly pray.

    Please check out this article and let me know what you think: http://warrenbaldwinbiblefountain.blogspot.com/2010/04/honest-government.html

    Warren

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  2. Bless you for all you, and your dear husband do to help others. I love you sis.

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  3. This put me in tears. I echo your prayer here Rosel.

    I went to the Dr yesterday and knowing my situation he lowered my charge substantially. He started talking to me about how everyone is being affected. I could see a lot of concern in his face and hear it in his tone. He didn't say how much he was being affected personally but I could see that he was concerned about the recent government health care decisions.

    God is on His throne and keeps reminding me that He will take care of His people. We are going through a time of testing and possibly judgment.

    Excellent as always dear friend and sister!

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  4. Joining you in prayer, sister Rosel! These are certainly very difficult times. We see so many around us struggling and we need to be sure each of us join together to help and share what we have with others who are in need.

    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  5. Hello Dear Friend. It is a difficult time for so many, but I am trusting God to make a way for His people. For those who don't know Him -- I pray these times push them into His arms.

    I am praying with you.

    (I love your new layout.)

    In Him,
    Beth

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  6. Praying for the teachers you mentioned, as well as others mentioned in the comments left by your readers...

    Yes, it is true. The debt us catching up with everyone, even if it wasn't caused by them.

    This is a timely post, even for me, because God has been speaking to me these past months about being broken and spilled out for Him!

    Love
    Lidj

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  7. I came back to watch the video. I must THANK YOU Rosel for sharing it on this post, those cardboard testimonies were so powerful!

    Love
    Lidj

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  8. Years ago teachers and nurses were the career choices that we told our kids were stable, and would never go under. I guess nothing is stable anymore in this world. I'll say a prayer for your teacher friends...

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  9. I am glad I crossed this blog. great post. i'll pray. my hubby lost his trucking job of 10 years at a larger company that is forever closed its doors....its sad our country right now. blessings. :) Lisa http://faithonthemountains.blogspot.com/

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  10. Oh Rosel ~ this breaks my heart for you Coach and sooo many others! Times are so difficult for soooo many!!! I will be lifting these specifically to the Lord and pray they find HIM and HIS comfort, strength, and the door that leads to HIS perfect Will in their lives!

    Love you Rosel!

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  11. Thank goodness that though we are down, struggling with no jobs, etc., we are not out! God sends people like you into the lives of coaches, teachers, families, etc. to help bring hope and healing. His provision is unfailing. What a magnificent video. That touched me to the core. Thanks sister - bless and be blessed!

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  12. so many are hurting...lost jobs...broken homes...but all the more we have to shine His Light b/c knowing Him brings freedom that is like nothing else...even in the hardest of times... Great post.

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  13. Rosel, this is so heart wrenching. Praying along with you dear one. Blessings.

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  14. Bless you for the burden that He has given. Praying with you through this hard times. And for those who are suffering.

    xo

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  15. I was very encouraged reading this. I have been looking 8 months for a job. This month we might not be able to pay the house payment. It is good that God uses people like your family to be a blessinga and an encouragement. Thanks you.

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  16. Amen...It is good to know God is still on his throne and that there are prayer warriors like you that are lifting up the hurting and broken.God does answer prayer!!!!

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  17. blessed, broken and given: the heart of Jesus in communion. Let us follow His example. Love you sis, and praying you have a good weekend.

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  18. My heart is SO full and praying praying praying...

    Love you.

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  19. Praying for all those who are hurting, Dear. I pray God will provide all their needs. That was a great video of hope. Blessings ~

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