Elizabeth Rosner

16
Mar
2018

Jehovah Jireh

https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 

Isaiah 30:21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Your ears will hear a word behind you saying: “This is the way, walk in it. When you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left.”

 

My husband and I have been praying over the next steps for our ministry, Jehovah Jireh.    We provide housewares for the refugee community.  In practical terms, this means that our liaison will contact us requesting specific donations such as plates, or flatware, or towels.  I’ll peruse discount stores, thrift stores or estate sales, then coordinate dropping off the items. It is very sporadic, but we’re happy to help when we’re asked.  

Recently, we’ve found new organizations that also need these types of donations.  We would love to expand and formalize our ministry to meet these additional needs but we have two fairly large roadblocks: 1) The process of applying for a 501(c)(3) is daunting and 2) funding for the legal paperwork, in addition to the items we purchase each time, is very meager from our personal finances.  Our prayers over the last few months have been something like this:
Jesus, we know the idea for serving our refugee community through our resettlement ministry is from You.  We want to steward the resources we’re given from You in the way You desire. Our hearts are to serve refugees, and those aging out of foster care, to help them feel at home and have the necessities.  Jesus, You know the limitations our personal resources have, and You know we have no idea how to make this happen. We trust You Lord. We ask You to give us wisdom and discernment in our next steps. AMEN

These types of prayers have been uttered, in some variation, over the last few months.  Then, in the last week, BOTH prayers have been answered! Without any striving or seeking on our part, the Lord has revealed both an organization that could serve as our oversight board, allowing us to utilize their umbrella 501(c)(3), AND an opportunity for a part time job that could provide this additional funding.  Last night, in our prayer time, Mike and I thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.  While both of these may be the answers we’ve been looking for, we also know that neither could pan out.  What we are clinging to is trusting GOD to provide the path, in His timing, and with His provision.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 Tree of Life Version (TLV) For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.

 

Jesus, we are so grateful that You know us better than we know ourselves.  Your timing is always perfect! Thank You for planting this ministry idea in us, and now we trust You fully for its fruition.  If the oversight organization works out, and the part time job comes through, we thank You! However, if these are not Your ultimate plan, for now, they are evidence that You hear our prayers!  AMEN

 

To connect with Elizabeth on social media, click the links below:

Elizabeth Rosner…..
Christ follower. Prayer warrior. Wife, Mom, Hugger, and Encourager.

Posted by amyodland in devotional
12
Feb
2018

Angels in the Grocery Store – a guest post by Elizabeth Rosner

 

By Elizabeth Rosner

Galatians 5:14 GNT: For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Tweet this)

 

My mom and step-dad, affectionately known to everyone as Sugah and Big Daddy, have recently experienced some setbacks.  Big Daddy, 84, is an insulin dependent diabetic.  While he takes great care of himself, this disease has taken quite a toll on his body.  In December, it caused an ocular stroke, leaving him blind in his right eye and with poor vision in his left.  On the day of his stroke, Big Daddy drove himself to the eye doctor.  He was fiercely independent, with an active life both socially and in community service.  With the loss of his vision came many other losses too: driving, filling his syringes with insulin, and peripheral vision. At Christmas, Big Daddy and Alexander, my 18 year old son, were talking.  Big Daddy was tearfully explaining to Alexander that he has never once mourned the loss of his vision.  He said, “There are many tasks I can no longer do myself, but so many have stepped in to help me.  Next week, Bill has offered to drive me to breakfast and John will take me to the meeting on Friday.”   He hasn’t missed his breakfasts with friends and he continues to be energetically involved in his many community service activities.  He concluded that he could not possibly complain about this loss when God has given him so much.  

 

An example of even the smallest of roles being filled happened recently when Sugah and Big Daddy were shopping at their local grocery store one day.  A man walked up to Big Daddy, and said, “Sir, may I tie your shoe?”  He said this as he simultaneously bent down and tied the shoe.  My mom was taken aback, that this young man would perform such an intimate act for a complete stranger. They thanked him and my mom said, “I hope someone will tie your shoes one day.” The man replied, “My mom always said that.”  Later, as my mom was relaying the story to me, she admitted that she has prayed for this man.  I said that I would pray too, and I asked his name.   Sugah said, “I have no idea. I couldn’t even tell you what he looked like.  He was gone so quickly but his act meant so much!”

 

  

 

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV – Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father


Dear Jesus, Thank You for sending Your angel to the grocery store to minister to Big Daddy.  Thank You that this man didn’t rebuke him, and instead, afforded him dignity in performing such an intimate act.  Lord, we do not know this man’s name, but You do.  Bless him, Jesus.  Multiply his blessings a thousand fold.  Teach all of us to see these opportunities, and to act on them, even if it means bending down to the floor of a grocery store to tie an older man’s shoes.  AMEN.

 

 

To connect with Elizabeth on social media, click the links below:

Elizabeth Rosner…..
Christ follower. Prayer warrior. Wife, Mom, Hugger, and Encourager.

Posted by amyodland
17
Jan
2018

Angels Attending – a guest post by Elizabeth Rosner

 

He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully.  Luke 4:10 (Tweet this)

By Elizabeth P. Rosner

 

2 am Friday morning.  My husband wakes me to tell me our son, Alexander, has had a wreck. The car is totaled, but he is fine. Mike and I jump in the car to go get Alexander.  We arrive and the sight is so scary.  Alexander is standing outside his car, in 20 degree weather, shivering and sobbing.  I run to him and cling to him, thanking God for the one gazillionth time for the gift of this child and for keeping him safe.  I put Alexander in the back seat of our car while Mike calls the police. I go back to Alexander’s car to retrieve the minutiae – garage door opener, university parking pass, phone cords, his longboard. Before I can do that though, I am struck by the fact that there is no front end on the car.  It is completely smashed in.  The left front tire that was just minutes before perpendicular to the road is now laying flat. From the front it looks as if nothing could possibly survive such a collision.  Yet, my son  is nestled feet away from me, still in shock and crying, but alive!  PRAISE JESUS!

 

The police arrive and inquire about the accident.  The officer says there are many deer on the road and this happens often.  He does not issue a ticket nor does he perform any sobriety check.  He is calm and reassuring to Alexander that it was not his fault.  I get in the back seat with him and hug him again.  I ask again if he feels ok, did he hit his head, is anything broken?  He says the only thing that hurts is his thumb.  I look and it is purple at the nail bed but he can move it.  The officer asks Alexander if he needs to go to the hospital and he declines.

 

The flatbed tow truck pulls up.  He says the Mini Cooper  has some special device that is needed to tow it.  If that is not available, he can just tow from the frame.  He goes under the car and the frame is gone.  Completely smashed.  He has to tow attaching the hook to the engine.  As he is pulling the car from the trees, the officer says we can go.

 

The three of us walk in our house, less than a mile away from where this happened.  I tuck my little boy, my 18 year old almost-a-man child, into bed.  I cry joyful, grateful, momma tears and thank the sweet Lord Jesus that he is home with us and not in a hospital ICU or worse.  A mother’s worst nightmare has been averted.

 

The next morning when Alexander wakes up, we go to urgent care.  The doctor sees the pictures and proclaims my son a walking miracle.  While waiting on x-rays, the Lord directs me to Jeremiah 29:11.  This is a verse that has been a foundation for both Alexander and I for many, many years.  The Lord comforts me that He has great plans for Alexander.  Then I read the next two verses.  


We have all gotten those middle of the night phone calls that raise us from a dead sleep.  I was not awake at 2am praying fervently for my child.  I was asleep.  My prayers, though, go before me.  We anointed his car and prayed over it, asking for angels to attend him every second he was in that car.  The Lord promises we can call on Him and He will answer.  In this, my prayers were answered before I called on Him.


The doctor comes back in with the x-ray results.  Nothing is broken.  His thumb just needs a minor procedure to alleviate the pain.  We think this happened when the airbag deployed. He bandaged the thumb and we are back home.  

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

 

Dear Jesus, when I look at the pictures of the mangled car my heart drops.  When I see those two trees and the fragments of his side mirror amongst the debris I am astounded.  When I see his bandaged thumb, knowing it could have been so much worse, I praise YOU!  I thank You Jesus for Your plans, Your protection, Your willingness to answer our calls, even before we make them. Thank You for answering this momma’s most fervent prayer to keep her child safe.  AMEN

 

 

 

To connect with Elizabeth on social media, click the links below:

Elizabeth Rosner…..
Christ follower. Prayer warrior. Wife, Mom, Hugger, and Encourager.

Posted by amyodland in devotional
15
Dec
2017

Joy and Red Birds – a guest post by Elizabeth Rosner

 

by Elizabeth P. Rosner

You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.
Psalm 16:11 –  (Tweet this)

Have you ever asked the Lord for a sign and He answered?  If so, you know the sheer delight I experienced last week when blessing my friend, Joy.   

It was Secret Santa week and I had the pleasure of being assigned to give gifts to Joy.  She’s one of two custodians on our campus who work hard to make sure our building is immaculate.  There were set spending parameters, and I went to great lengths to ensure that she would never suspect her Secret Santa was me until the big reveal.  What I didn’t count on was my sneakiness being disrupted by the Holy Spirit!

Every year, instead of resolutions, the Lord gives me a word for the year.  In 2015, my word was Joy.  At the end of last year, Brighton had a promotional tote bag that was free with purchase.  It was a canvas bag with the word “Joy” emblazoned on it with a huge red bird background.  I didn’t really need a new Brighton bag and it was Christmas so I should have been shopping for others, but I really wanted this canvas tote.  I prayed about it, as I do with every expenditure, and the Lord prompted me to make the purchase.  After I received it, the tote sat in my closet, pristine and unused.  I would admire it but when I prayed about using it, He said, “Not yet.”

In gathering Joy’s gifts for the week, the Lord reminded me of that tote and asked me to give it to her for her last gift. “Ah”, I thought, “this is why I bought that tote!  It was never for me all along.  I love getting to be part of His grand plan to bless others!”

After receiving this last gift, but before the reveal luncheon, Joy came into my office.  She said, “You’re my Secret Santa, aren’t you?”  I said, “I think we have to wait to find out.  Why do you think so?”  She said, with a glimmer in her eye, “Because I prayed about it and He told me it was you!” She went on to tell me how much that tote meant to her and what a sign it was from Him.

In 2001, her sister’s only child, Derrick, was killed in a car wreck when he was just 21 years old.  In 2012, their father was ill and dying.  At his bedside, her sister asked their dad to please hug Derrick when he got to heaven and said, “When you’re with him, will you send me a red bird?”  The next morning, as her sister was sweeping and getting the house ready for all the family who would come in for the funeral, she opened the front door to find on the porch, sitting intently and still, two beautiful red birds!

As Joy relayed this story to me, we were both crying tears of gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness.  She thanked me again and I replied, “Joy, He had me purchase that tote over a year ago. I had no idea at the time who it was for, but am so happy God had a plan and I could be part of it!”

 

I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you. –Philippians 1:4


Dear Jesus, what a blessing it is to be part of Your plan to bless others!  Thank You for allowing me that joy and for including me.  Please help each one of us listen to Your still, quiet voice when You ask us to be obedient to Your calling.  Remind us that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive, especially when it’s in Your Name!  AMEN

 

To connect with Elizabeth on social media, click the links below:

Elizabeth Rosner…..
Christ follower. Prayer warrior. Wife, Mom, Hugger, and Encourager.

Posted by amyodland in devotional