Scripture: I Corinthians 15:57–“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of victorious:

• Having won a victory
• Of, relating to, or characteristic of victory
• Evincing moral harmony or a sense of fulfillment

Phrases/quotes pertaining to victorious (Goodreads.com):

• A victorious life is a result of a correct way of thinking.
• A Christian’s mindset should be a victorious mentality.
• God created us to be victorious.
• Each victory with God can bring a reassurance once more that the ones born of God are victorious.

V: Victorious Valerie’s Story:

Valerie grew up in a very creative home. Her mother was a seamstress; her father and uncle were carpenters and in business together; her brother learned carpentry in school as well as an intern under her father’s supervision; and her sister was a mural artist with a very lucrative business.

Everyone was surprised when Valerie announced that she would be majoring in social work in college and would pursue a career working with children in foster care. Her mother was very supportive and told Valerie to pursue her dreams and not base her career on what she felt the family expected her to be. It was her God-given choice to listen to His voice and to her heart.

Valerie volunteered at the local children’s home during her summer’s home from school and got to know the social workers and the children quite well. Part of her responsibilities included teaching the children how to garden and she dreamed of building a greenhouse on the property for year-round growing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

After Valerie completed her undergraduate degree, she was hired at the children’s home as a full-time case worker and continued her master’s degree online for two years. She continued to work and study hard and was respected by all those who knew her. Valerie also became President of The Garden Club at the local Community Center, and her classes on gardening were well attended by the community.

One night at one of the regularly scheduled meetings of The Garden Club, a member brought up an idea that would change the heart of the community. She recommended that members, as well as carpenters in the community, build a greenhouse to benefit the children’s home. They could plant fruits, vegetables, and flowers to sell to the community year round. Excited and amazed at this suggestion, Valerie and all of the other members unanimously approved of this idea. Valerie couldn’t help remembering similar thoughts she had had about building a greenhouse as well and knew that God had given her a “little” reminder.

Valerie enlisted the help of her family and everyone in the community who was willing to help build the greenhouse. After raising the funds for this project, the greenhouse was built and the blue ribbon cut. Everyone was so excited and the children couldn’t wait to plant and harvest all the fruits and vegetables and sell them back to the community to benefit the children’s home.

That Sunday in church as Valerie listened to the children’s choir sing, “Victory in Jesus,” she recognized that God often plants a thought in our minds and hearts so that it can be fulfilled for His purpose and in His time. The greenhouse was God’s fulfillment of an idea He put into her mind and Valerie was reminded of that idea through another individual at her Garden Club meeting; and she recognized God speaking to her heart once again. She just had to listen and remember.”

God oftentimes puts a thought into our minds and sometimes we recognize Him speaking to us and sometimes it takes another time or two before we finally realize what He is asking us to do. We just have to listen and then act accordingly. This is Faith in action.

May we be open and willing to act on faith when we hear God speaking to our hearts and minds in a still, small voice. What a blessing we could be to others if we would just keep ourselves open to His leading and direction.

Blessings,

Yvonne