My 2 Same BirthDay Cards - and what I learned.

I have these 2 aunts...whom I love.

And as my birthday was just 2 days ago, (on Canadian Thanksgiving) I like many of you received birthday cards... some funny and cute and some more serious..it was a blessed time.

Here is what the LORD told me and showed me, after receiving the same card.

We've all had it happen...similar or same gift, same card, its bound to happen.

Here is what I learned: (how I got it).

Like people, Like cards, we tend to judge them by the cover.
We know we shouldn't do it, but we do...like a book, like a birthday card.

But my birthday cards (both the same) had 2 different messages on the inside. Two different encouragements and wording for me, to me...of course they were from 2 different aunts.

Here is the trap: (and its not how we judge a book by its cover, that is a different lesson).
Rather its this; we judge the simple things too quickly and often dismiss them. Like seeing 2 birthday cards the same, and not soaking up the words they are telling us.

Here is how it works in real life...

We see our parents or our spouse tell us things, and because we know it, we've seen it all before, we dismiss them, and not open up (the card) to see, to hear, what the Spirit (what is written on the inside) is saying!

We rarely get to the truth, because we judged the card already...we miss the good stuff.
We let them 'talk' but we don't really listen.

GOD often sends us our answer, our word in need, but it is coming in the most common way - maybe out of the mouth of a friend, or a parent or your spouse.  It could be a stranger or a child, someone close by, someone you have lost your dazzle for, they no longer shine in your eyes, losing lustre because they are what you see and hear everyday - they are no longer special...they speak, and you are not getting at the heart anymore.

They couldn't get beyond JESUS commonness, to the real TRUTH (the real HIM) so they missed HIS message.

Careful who you dismiss, because that is NOT how you expected the LORD to speak to you, or aid you!

Sometimes its your co-worker, or your child, or even your pet - trying to teach you something out of the hand of GOD.  But you aren't receiving, because your answer has to come from some other source, like your doctor or pastor or a vision - missing your opportunity for growth, for advancement.

Cards may be the same - but the written words inside are not.
They may be common - but the deep word inside speaks volumes.

My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. Isaiah 53:2