Max Lucado is one of my favorite writers. Perhaps because he incorporates his life experiences combined with the WORD of FATHER GOD to creatively express ideas and that he grew up in the same town as myself.

A BRAZILIAN BOY SAYS THANKS

Max Lucado tells about living as an American in Brazil. One day, as he was walking along the street on his way to the University to teach a class, he felt a tug on his pants leg. Turning around, he saw a little boy about 5 or 6 years old with dark beady eyes and a dirty little face. The little boy looked up at the big American and said, "Bread, Sir."

He was a little beggar boy and Lucado said, "There are always little beggar boys in the streets of Brazil. Usually I turn away from them because there are so many and you can't feed them all. But there was something so compelling about this little boy that I couldn't turn away. So, taking his hand, I said, `Come with me' and I took him into a coffee shop." Max told the owner, "I'll have a cup of coffee and give the boy a piece of pastry…whatever he wants."

Since the coffee counter was at the other end of the store, Max walked on and got a cup of coffee, forgetting about the little boy because beggar boys usually get the bread and then run back out into the street and disappear.

But this one didn't. After he got his pastry, he went over to the big American and just stood there until Lucado felt his staring eyes. Lucado said, "I turned and looked at him. Standing up, his eyes just about hit my belt buckle. Then slowly his eyes came up until they met mine. The little boy, holding his pastry in one hand, looked up and said, 'Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.'"

Lucado said, "I was so touched by the boy's thanks that I would have bought him the store. I sat there for another 30 minutes, late for my class, just thinking about a little beggar boy who came back and said, `Thank you.'"

This reminds me of the Panamanian people. Despite their various circumstances, they were walking in thanksgiving to the LORD as well as all who were HIS Ambassadors while there. Let me share a memory with you:

When leaving the camp, we were on the weather-beaten road to return to Panama City to spend the night in a hotel before boarding the plane the next morning to fly home to the USA (oosa - as the Panamanian people call it). Sitting in the middle seat of the crowded miniature van, I had a great view through the front windshield.

We were approaching a small pickup that had seen better days, when I saw a group of people riding in the back. Suddenly, a little body popped up and I saw a energetically petite hand waving in the midst of the large adults seated. Shining with the LORD's light and glory upon her, were beautiful big brown eyes of gratitude with a smile that could have stretched from coastline to coastline in the country. I saw her lips say my name. It was one of the many treasured moments experienced while there through a precious little girl that had been at the Baptist Encampment for the retreat.

This precious child of GOD had sat with me almost every night in the worship service. Seeing through the eyes of JESUS that day, I saw the apple of HIS eye overflowing with joy. The very essence of what it means to have child-like faith and love was before me in a rusty old pick up.

Eventhough, I had not worked with this little girl during the time there; Marty and I were with the youth. She and I were connected through our love for JESUS CHRIST. Perhaps one might say it was JESUS' love waving to me through a tiny yet power packed body of love from the back of a weathered pick-up on a dirt road in a third-world country. You just never know where JESUS will pop up to greet you with HIS love.

We should always be walking in thanksgiving to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!! You've heard pastors say that there are book-marked moments in life. This was definitely one. I knew from that magnificent moment on my life would not be the same.

I'll close with a few profound thoughts from Max Lucado:

As boldly as the center beam of the cross proclaims God's holiness, the crossbeam declares his love, And, oh, how wide His love reaches. Aren't you glad the verse does not read: "For God so loved the rich…"? Or, "For God so loved the famous…"? Or. "For God so loved the thin…"? It doesn't. Nor does it state, "For God so loved the Europeans or Africans…" "the sober or successful…" "the young or the old…" No. When we read John 3:16, we simply (and happily) read, "For God so loved the world." How wide is God's love? Wide enough for the whole world. Are you included in the world? Then you are included in God's love.

God views your life the way you view a movie after you've read the book. When something bad happens, you feel the air sucked out of the theater. Everyone else gasps at the crisis on the screen. Not you. Why? You've read the book. You know how the good guy gets out of the tight spot. GOD views your life with the same confidence. HE's not only read your story…HE wrote it. HIS perspective is different, and HIS purpose is clear.

I'll leave you with a very special verse that was given to me by Lois Evans after the sudden death of my father in 2003. This verse has inspired me to reach for the things my FATHER has for me.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Remember to keep the "Right Perspective and that Father God can make it happen!!!"