What are you filling your basket with?

Today I listened (for a second time) to a sweet lady named Randa Jordan.  She and her family are good country folks, gospel singers and Jesus loving Christians! I enjoy listening to their singing around the piano in their home as it reminds me of my own childhood doing the same.  As a music director I love music and feel as though it opens the doors to a more intimate worship for me.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that in her message it was a song that led me to write this entry.  The song Randa shared was entitled "Lord here's My Basket." (Gary D.)  Before she sang she said "Don't let your basket go unused - be faithful - do what's right."  I pondered on those word and the lyrics of the song for most of the night and well into today, so much so that when I returned from my morning run I was met in the quietness of the kitchen by our senior in high school Katherine.

Kate, as she is known by everyone, is a freckled face, pale skinned, flaming curly red head! She has the sweetest personality, loves people, love Jesus and dances to the beat of her own drum! Her goal in life (at this point) is to major in Chemistry and work for NASA; her science teacher mother is elated!! (LOL)

But today in the quietness of the still dim kitchen I asked her if I could talk to her about a few things that have been weighing on my heart.  See Kate has been a competitive dancer (tap, clogging, jazz, lyrical, & point) for nearly 14 years. Not only is she a fabulous dancer but she is "Gifted" for vocal and theater in our district's Gifted/Talented program. These talents have lead her to decide she would like to try out for the university dance line in the fall.

Every morning I shut myself into a tiny closet in the back of our house (my war room) and pray specifically for my husband, our girls, and many many others.  I explained to Kate I have been praying; she said she knew that, but that I cannot get peace about her following this path. That's when I brought up the lyrics of the song Randa had shared:

In each and every life there's a basket filled with goods.
Although it many not be used exactly as it should.
So many throw it all away or keep for themselves
While others they never use it, they just place it on a shelf.
Lord, I know that what you've done for me my basket can't repay.
But maybe with it you could feed some hungry soul along the way.

CHORUS:
Lord Here's my Basket, It's not much i know,
But take it and use it, Please don't refuse it
Maybe it will grow.
Although i could keep it i'll give it to you.
So Lord here's my basket you don't have to ask it's the least I can do.

I have always felt God had a mission field for Kate and has given her a multitude of talents that He is waiting to cultivate for His kingdom. As we talked Kate began to understand we've never pushed her (very introverted self) to pursue any of the talents she has.  She said "Mama, God prepared all this.  My voice, my love of dance, my theater interest, my ability to play an instrument, my comfort on stage, my interest in the Word and music, and my love of science and math."  (YES LORD) - I literally started crying and laughing!! 

It was at this point I explained - look in your basket baby girl - don't throw away the "goods" God is filling your basket with for a scrap of bread today.  In other words, joining the dance line (although a fabulous group) is only going to allow her to use one of her talents, whereas looking to a larger "stage" that allows her to cultivate all her talents, has the potential to open the doors far wider, later down her "kingdom" road.  

Keeping the lyrics of the song in perspective that "stage" could be campfire singing at a summer camp.  It could be teaching VBS to children around the world, as she sings, dances and acts out Bible stories.  It could be using her voice at NASA or a Children's Hospital like St. Jude to create solutions to problems that seem impossible to solve all the while giving GOD the glory.  It could also simply be to sing her children to sleep at night..........

The point is my baby is leaving in a few shorts months. I need to know that her basket is filled with Godly goods and she is ready to sit at His feet and hand it to Him saying "Lord Here's my Basket. Take it. Use it." 

As I close I will leave you with these questions "What are you filling your basket with?" What are you throwing away? Keeping for yourself? What are you not using and placing on a shelf? TODAY give your basket to the LORD and watch it grow.........