Zoned Out On The Fourth of July--by Linda Kozar

from page 197~July 4th~Babes With A Beatitude--Devotions For Smart, Savvy Women of Faith (Howard/Simon & Schuster 2009)

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"

--1st Thessalonians 5:18

Picnics and sunny days go together, but there was nothing traditional about this Fourth of July. Lightening zigzaggd through sheets of thunderous rain. I guess it was God's version of fireworks. As if that wasn't enough disappointment, our teens chose to spend the day with friends, so my husband and I watched the 24-hour Twilight Zone marathon on TV until one of us got hungry.

Since things were a bit damp from all the rain, my husband decided to fire up the grill with the leaf blower! (He thought of that himself.) Once the flames calmed down a bit, we grilled shish kabobs and eggplant, since neither of us felt like eating the traditional burger or hotdog.

As we thanked God for our food, we realized how blessed we were to even have a meal on the table when so many people in the world go to bed hungry. Between the weather , absent family members and the food, there was certainly nothing traditional about this Fourth of July. Even our prayers set off a different kind of fireworks--a zeal for God and thankful hearts filled with praise.

Beatitude Check

On Independence Day and every other day, let's be thankful that we are dependent on our Father God, Who provides for all our needs according to His riches in glory! (See Philippians 4:19).

Love Letters--by Linda Kozar

Since Babes With A Beatitude came out in December, I have received many notes, emails, phone calls and messages in response. Dannelle has received similar letters and notes on FaceBook. In April I received the following email:

Linda, I just had to tell you! My sister got saved, and the Lord let ME lead her in the prayer! We were on vacation in the mountains for 3 days and we read your devotional together each morning. Do you remember autographing one for me to give to her? On the 2nd day it happened! On April 25, 2010 my sister, Kay got saved !!!!!!!!!!! I can't stop laughing and crying at the same time !!!!!!!!!

Thank you for all of the times you prayed for her over the years. God is SO GOOD!

Love you,

Lori

Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from a dear woman named Kay Bukovec. Here's what she said:

Just a note to let you know how much I am enjoying reading "Babes With A Beatitude."

Keep Writing,

Kay Bukovec

These letters mean so much to us! We would like our readers to know how much of a blessing it is to hear from you. Writing these devotions was not by any means just a job, it was a sacred privilege. They were, and are a labor of love. It's not as much about the writing as it is about the ministry. We were not called to write this book by accident, but by divine appointment.

I've created a "Reader Testimony" page on this blog just to list some of these wonderful messages about how God used these devotions to transform lives, strengthen your faith or inspire women to follow and trust Him more closely. We would love for you to share your story if you feel the gentle call of the Holy Spirit leading you to do so. Tell your story for His glory!