Something tells me that today is going to be a great day. In fact, aside from praying for exactly that, I’ve already received my confirmation.

On my journey to work this morning, I passed by a particular stranger. I didn’t  glance in his direction or even acknowledge his presence for that matter; especially since he  was on the other side of the street and I, like always, was in a hurry to catch my train. Had I known then what I know now, I would have made the effort to speak, despite how much of a rush I was in. But like me and most life lessons, all it usually for me is one time for me to “get it”…and in this particular case, the lesson hit me harder than a ton of bricks, and at the same time still managed to touch my heart and soul; tenfold.

Stranger (speaking from across the street): “Young lady… if I were to tell you that Jesus loves you, would you believe me?”

Me (completely startled): “Of course!”

Stranger: “Well, He does…”

Me: “Thank you…He loves you too! Have a blessed day”

He had made my day. I walked away with more than just a smile on my face. It was stamped on my heart. From that very moment, I knew the importance of acknowledging EVERYONE in our presence. Every single person that we come in contact with, every single day in our lifetime, is an opportunity to be a blessing as well as be blessed. Even a simple smile is “good enough”.

On my way home from work today, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to grab something quick to eat(fast food) or just wait until I got home to cook something. I didn’t have any cash on hand, so I stopped by the ATM and took out a twenty dollar bill; just in case. Still tossed, I decided to just go home and find something when I got there, but then, out of nowhere I sudden got a serious craving for some chocolate chip cookies.

Figuring it was worth the detour, I stopped by the store and ended up picking up not only one, but two packs of my favorite fix. (Seriously, chocolate  and cookies are my ONLY addiction and together it’s just pure bliss!) That’s when this woman whom I have never seen a day in my life came walking over to me with a huge smile and an extended out a hand. It was quite contagious, so I had no choice but to smile back and take her hand.

“I’m Deborah” she said. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

“Likewise” I said. “I’m Siobhan.”

“You’re so pretty with all that gorgeous hair! I’m just fat, black and ugly…but I still praise God that I’m here.”

“Uh uh! Don’t talk about youself like that!” I said, in here defense. “You’re beautiful!”

“No, I’m not” but thank you.

That’s when I realized that she wasn’t just talking non-sense; she was serious. It hurt me to my soul. This woman clearly had some SERIOUS self esteem issues. I felt something inside of me shift and the sudden outburst of compassion just couldn’t contain itself inside of me. I complimented her in every way I could to the point where I felt like I was preaching from the bible of self-esteem. It clearly wasn’t for nothing because her attitude began to change.

“Do you really think I’m beautiful?” she asked.

“Absolutely! I said, “In more ways than one and especially where it counts the most!” You shine so bright that I need shades just to look in your direction!” I said, playfully squinting. She along with everyone in the store laugh. The crazy thing is, I had been completely unaware of their presence up until that point. There had to be at least ten of them.

“Thank you!” so much she said. “No one has ever told me that I was beautiful before.”

“Well I am honored to be the first, but its a shame how many blind people live in this world.”

By now, she was smiling from ear to ear. “I’m starving! She said. I ain’t have nothing to eat nothing all day. Do you have a dollar you could spare so I could buy some chips or something?”

“Sure, but chips isn’t food. How about I treat you to some real food?”

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Yes, anything you want! What do you have a taste for? I was about to get some chinese food a little while ago, but changed my mind.”

“Oh, chinese food sounds good!”

“Then chinese food it is!” I said. “Lets go!”

On our way there, I thought about the the faith stone that I had always kept in my bag, just in case  I ran into a situation like these. I always keep at least one on hand. I rumaged through my bag for it; I couldn’t find it fast enough.

“I have something for you, Deborah.” I said.

“For me?” She asked, sounding surprised.

“Yes” I said, pulling the faith stone out of my bag and placing it into her hand. It’s a faith stone. “Always keep it in your pocket as a reminder that Jesus is your rock. He’s with you every step and when you have faith, fear simply can’t exist.”

“Thank you so much!” she said gratefully as she squeezed me tight. I will always keep it with me.

“Please do.” I smiled.

I was so glad that I had decided to take that 20 dollars out of the ATM. I later realized that I hadn’t even taken it out for myself. It was a set up, pure trickery(more like divine intervention lol)…and so was the sudden craving for those chocolate chip cookies that I so miraculously no longer had a taste for. I wasn’t even hungry anymore. God sure has one sense of humor! LOL He was simply using me to be a blessing to someone else, as I always ask of Him. I was more than satisfied! That was better than all the chocolate and cookies in the world and if thats not sweet enough, then I guess something must wrong with my taste buds!

By Siobhan Gamble

The mustard seed, as we all know, is the smallest of all seeds… yet it grows up to become one of the largest of all garden plants; where birds find shelter in it’s branches. So, what exactly does having “Mustard Seed Faith” imply? Does it denote that all we need is just a little faith or does it hint at having gigantic faith…faith as HUGE as a mustard seed?

Jesus said, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. But if all we needed was a little faith, then how come these mountains in our lives haven’t moved a long time ago? Clearly , there is nothing wrong with what Jesus said, He is the truth and the way. Perhaps it’s something wrong with what we believe; how we interpret this truth.

Throughout the bible, Jesus reprimanded everyone who showed “little faith”. Think of Jesus leading Peter across the water, or when He fell asleep on the boat and His disciples battled a storm until He woke up and instantly calmed it.  His words to them were, “oh, ye of little faith.”

Look throughout the bible and find situation upon situation where He praised those who exercised gigantic faith; You will see that it is gigantic faith that pleases Him. In almost every healing miracle, Jesus said, “By your faith, you are healed” or “as it is your faith, so shall it be.” With that said, its clear to see that it is ONLY when we plant the seed of faith within our hearts and nourish it, and allow it to take root and grow, just like the mustard seed, that we can expect those mountains to move . Mustard seed faith means having “fruitful” faith. Not fruitless faith.

By Siobhan Gamble