Today I seem to be overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord. Kind of teary-eyed too as I look at this picture my dear friend sent me. It was taken at her Mom’s precious home-going service.

Her mom became a spiritual mom to me and she was gracious enough to share her with me for many years.

Her mom use to tell me often to “Buy up the time.”

It’s a phrase that has been ringing in my ears since that sweet service.

As I’ve pondered it daily I’ve been asking the Lord if I’m using everything He has placed in my hands to its fullest.

Was I stewarding well every opportunity, every moment, every outreach, and every heart?

I’ve been missing my friend a lot this week. Wanting to tell her all the Lord has continued to do in my heart and the heart of others. She would be so pleased.

Jesus has kept us going on our 5th year next July in our ministry building with hurting hearts and met every need.

We have sent out more resources than we’ve ever had the funds for. Nothing makes sense on paper.

We’ve reached the nations through radio and been able to print newspapers regularly without fail to keep the saints encouraged and those needing Christ looking on.

I look back at the beginning of the building and wonder how it all happened. But we know how.

We continue to push forward into new areas as He leads because He is always moving. Always reaching for more hearts. And He gives us added grace to accomplish what He speaks into existence.

He is good.

It hasn’t been easy so don’t get me wrong. I’m not painting you a picture of perfection here. I’ve been slandered more than ever for helping the abused. I’ve been threatened (literally) by religious leaders for setting captives free. We’ve been harassed by people with a wicked vengeance and had to walk through literal persecution to get to the door of our own building.

But God worked on our behalf and we were kept safe.

That sweet mentor of mine taught me well how to stand and fight for the oppressed. How to walk through the fire and not run from it. How to glory in the goodness of God in trials and how to love Him deeper with every storm.

So now we buy up more time. Making sure every minute counts for the Kingdom of God.

Watching hearts transformed, countenances literally change, freedom come as it dispels darkness, and smiles come from those who once forgot how…well, there’s nothing like it.

Christ has stolen our hearts here. More and more each day.

While my sweet friend was in rehab before God called her home she asked me to sing to her and God brought to my mind a beautiful hymn. Today with joy it still sings in my own spirit and keeps me focused on what she would be doing if she were here today, “Buying up the time.”

Let me sing that song to you today as a sweet reminder of who we get to serve:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There’s just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there’s something about that name.