Ecclesiastes 7:3, Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

I stood before the crowd of hungry eyes. I knew they were waiting for heartfelt words and an unleashing of my soul. And I was prepared to give them heartfelt words and an unleashing of my soul. So, I opened my mouth and told them about my trip to Target.

This week has been a trying one. I was trying to prepare for a speaking engagement where I would be sharing the experience of my pressing. The pressing is the experience we go through where God presses into us- often we go through heartache and pain- in order to extract from us our greatest value.

This trying week had a lovely finish as I was standing in the aisle at Target. I had a full cart and a young child sorely in need of a nap. I was holding an item in my hand and accidentally dropped it upon the floor. As I bent down to pick it up, I heard the unmistakable sound of ripping up the back of my jeans. Yes, my jeans had ripped from one end the the other.

What was I to do? I had a moment of panic. I had a moment of denial. I had a moment to debating whether or not I should flee. In the end I shrugged it off, pulled my shirt down as far as it would go and- in awkward fashion- made my way to the checkout walking backwards with the cart. Oddly enough I was more concerned about my favourite pair of jeans than my pride.

Which lead me to my burning bush with The Lord this day. It was not the frustrating, overwhelming moments. It was not the precious time spent in fellowship with two lovely new friends who were in my home this morning. It was not the flurry of activity trying to get of the door and my child is begging me not to leave. It was not the internal war with my emotions knowing that I would be speaking hard words and feverishly praying that The Lord would use them.

It was not the tears I shed in the few moments I was praying before I needed to out onstage.

Yes, He was there in all of those moments and then some. But It was the moment I could open my heart and share a most embarrassing story, causing the crowd to laugh, that I sensed His presence the greatest.

He was there right along with them laughing at my antics and my willingness to share. Being obedient and willing to shed your soul and open your heart- whether funny, soul breaking, or down right painful- is when He sweeps in and steals the show.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness to use our most precious moments to minister to the hearts of others. May we be obedient and willing to use them in order to bring you all the glory. Amen.

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