Bus Stop Buzz

While waiting at the bus stop with my young granddaughter the other day, I learned a valuable lesson about following God's will.

I have heard ministers and other Christians speak of God's will and how we need to follow God. They share how He has a purpose and plan for our lives. However, I am not sure I am following the correct plan. I can think of other Christians who are accomplishing great things for His kingdom. Even though I am praying for God's will to be done in my life, I find it hard to see how God is using me.

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 (Jeremiah 29:11).

Somehow, for God's will to be accomplished, I envision great and important things happening. This is not my life, or so I thought. I work, pay bills, and occasionally write 

an article on what God is doing in my life. But my desire is to serve, follow, and give Him the glory and honor for it all.

The other morning during my normal routine, I found a truth that I often miss. God was guiding my day and I was in the center of His will. It was not an astonishingly important event, at least in the way I envisioned serving God.

Instead, it was an ordinary moment that occurred while waiting with my granddaughter for the school bus. Her mom leaves the house earlier than I. It is my responsibility to make sure she gets on the bus. Alexandra and I wait with four neighborhood children, three of whom are siblings.

This day the oldest child was excited. His dad was having a birthday. He, his sister, and his brother had bought dad a gift. He just beamed and smiled as he described the gift, the cake, and all the anticipated activities for the evening. No one else at the bus stop was interested. His siblings already knew what was to happen. The other children were busy, and school would not usually be the place to share such information. This child needed someone to listen and to ask him questions so he could describe the gift and share his joy.

God needed someone there to listen to this little boy, and I was the one. I felt honored to be there. I was truly right in the middle of God's will. I was exactly where I was supposed to be that morning.

Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35).

Listening is often hard for me. God gave us two ears and only one mouth so we will listen more and speak less. I usually do it in reverse, talking much more than listening.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19).

After the bus arrived and I went to work, I began thinking of all the people that had listened to me. People when I was small, people now, my Bible study group, my personal friends, and my co-workers all have listened to me. They have let me share my joys and my sorrows. I am so thankful that God always listens to me and He even knows my thoughts.

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17).

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you (Jeremiah 29:12).

I've heard people say, "Stop and smell the roses" or "Stop and listen!" May God help us to listen more and talk less. May He keep us in the center of His will and help us to encourage others. I needed to become more of a listener. It is a small thing, but believe me, if you are the one being listened to, it is a BIG thing!

Written by Kathy Schultz