It has been several months since I've written a Friday update, mostly because the news consisted of "still waiting", and that makes for boring reading. However, now with the first case of books arriving and another on the way, I wanted to share with you what happened last night.

My husband had said months ago that he wanted to pray over the first box of books before they went out. They arrived Wednesday afternoon, and when we didn't have church that evening because of inclement weather on its way, I figured that would be the opportunity. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I can be ready by tomorrow, but not tonight."

Okay.

It was worth the wait. Thursday evening, we set the box of books on the dining room table and gathered the kids around. Then my husband led us in the most beautiful time of worship, dedication and prayer. He read Isaiah 55:10-11: "For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven (and we'd had both in 24 hours) and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

My book is hardly equivalent to God's word, but we do pray that it accomplishes God's purposes and that it prospers in that.

Then Jon read Colossians 4:3-6 and emphasized our desire to touch people through the written words or through conversations that may result, and that in each case grace would be the result.

He then read 1 Corinthians 9:7-10 and stressed that while it wasn't about the financial gain, it was okay to receive income from this labor, even though it was done for God's glory.

Next he read a parable from Luke 17:5-10 about how a servant shouldn't expect thanks for doing what is expected of him or her. Using what God has given me to honor Him is exactly what I should be doing.

I said in some ways, it reminded me of Hannah and Samuel. I've prayer for this little story, raised it, and now it's time to put it into God's service.

Finally, he mentioned 1 Chronicles 21:24 when David buys the property where Solomon will build the temple. The owner, hearing David's intent, offers to give him the land. He says, "I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offering for that which has cost me nothing."

(You, my friends, have helped pay that cost through your prayers, your comments and your undying encouragement. What a blessing!)

We stood and put our hands on the books and each of us prayed. What an incredible thing to hear each of my family members praying from the depths of their tender hearts for me, for the book, and for God to be glorified through it all. 

Soli Deo Gloria and Amen.