Exceedingly, Abundantly

...far above all we could ever ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20) He truly gives us all things to enjoy. Siksik, liglig, at umaapaw...a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap (Luke 6:38).

A few weeks ago, I was spending the evening with a friend who happens to be extremely well-off and yet very generous with his time and resources. We were talking about the lifestyle changes I've had to deal with since allowing God to take control of my "career choices" and becoming a lay missionary (that's my official designation now, personally and professionally - since that's on my Community Tax Certificate application). I know I can always snag great deals when it comes to clothes, shoes, and accessories - and still look more than decent without compromising style - simply because I know where and how to shop (only my sisters and my closest friends know my secret shop-a-ways). But, as I told him that night, the one "guilty pleasure" I've had to cut back on is books...I will spend inordinate amounts of time in book stores and (in the past) obscene amounts of money on books.

Then again, after I'd given up the salaried money-ed life to do His work, the Lord seemed to say: "that's what you think!" His grace Has returned more than a hundredfold, just as He promised, for He does not deprive us of the desires of our heart which also happen to coincide with His desires for our lives. I need not lament the loss of income to splurge on books, for I'm drowning in them right now - kindhearted expats moving to another country invariably leave all their possessions to He Cares, including their *gasp sigh gasp* voluminous collections of books, so I've had quite a selection to choose from, free of charge!! Hardbound collections of Jules Verne, Tolkein's complete works (even the non-LOTR titles), and, just today, even more works on Christian living. Like I told Ate Ardis earlier today, God cannot be outdone in His generosity - just this morning I received books from the US (more details in my other blog) and tonight I came home with a whole shopping bag full of more books, 90% of which are Christian titles. Yippeee!! What an abundant blessing indeed :-)

OK, I guess I better get started on my reading...