John 3:27-30
27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Every time I speak at a marriage conference, teach a small group or mentor a couple I have the opportunity to be filled with joy at God’s success, or be filled with pride in my abilities.
The gifts I have been given to fulfill the purposes of God on this earth are simply that- gifts. As John explained to “his” disciples, we cannot receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.
Anything?
Anything.
That makes me like Amazon. I don’t manufacture the gifts, I just ship them to others in 2 days- guaranteed (if they have a PRIME membership!).
Seriously, though….
It is inevitable that those I serve will want to thank or praise me for preparing the way for them to encounter the Messiah. But is absolutely critical that in that moment, I acknowledge their gratitude while simultaneously giving all the praise to the Bridegroom. Only then can I sincerely be glad that I had the opportunity to stand beside Him as His best woman.
“If you become a necessity to a soul, you are out of God’s order. As a worker, your great responsibility is to be a friend of the Bridegroom. When once you see a soul in sight of the claims of Jesus Christ, you know that your influence has been in the right direction, and instead of putting out a hand to prevent the throes, pray that they grow ten times stronger until there is no power on earth or in hell that can hold that soul away from Jesus Christ. Over and over again, we become amateur providences, we come in and prevent God; and say- “This and that must not be.” Instead of proving friends of the Bridegroom, we put our sympathy in the way, and the soul will one day say- “That one was a thief, he stole my affections from Jesus, and I lost my vision of Him.’”
–Oswald Chambers
Deep Into the Water 
When my children were born, I prayed for their mates, and God answered prayers. Doug’s grandmother prophesied when he was about 8 years old he would become a minister, and God answered prayers. Through all the years in between, God has been teaching us to let Him have His way…and for us to step back out of love, obedience, sacrifice, faithfulness, service, etc.; and all that to say “God knows best”. God still answers prayers and is faithful to His promises. We just have to back off and let Him have His Way, then Praise Him for who He is. I THANK DOUG AND JODIE FOR USING THE GIFTS THE FATHER SO GENEROUSLY SHOWERED ON THEM.
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