SHOW ME,
LORD! That SHOULD be the cry of our
heart, always! But then I often wonder
how wide we open our eyes to actually see and take hold of the breathtaking
ways our God IS showing Himself to us. Showing
us His ways. Showing us His
wonders. When He answers, are we truly
seeing that He IS answering? Are we
receiving the answers? The
blessings that are coming from His hands to our hearts? I sure hope so, because He wants us to be so aware of His presence and His involvement
in our lives … every day, all the time, in each hour and in each moment! Jesus tells us this in John 10:10: “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill
and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and
have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (The Amplified Bible) Just what does that look like?
This past month while visiting with my 94-year old mom on the
phone nearly every evening, I began to realize that I was hearing a
change. Her voice was weakening and she
sounded more frail, even confused at times, and sometimes when she was really
tired it was difficult for me to understand her speech. One evening after our conversation, my spirit
was stirred to the point of knowing that it was time to just put my life on
hold and go … go to my mom and love on her while she is still here with us, go
to encourage her and bless her, go to lift her up and pray with her and over
her in person rather than just over the phone.
God gave strength to put everything in place, and after worshiping and
preaching on a September Sunday morning, my husband and I made the long trip
from MN to MT where she is being cared for right now. The days together were precious, and I saw Mom
experience frustration from the increasing symptoms of her aging. I witnessed her tears and some questions about
her aches and pains and struggles. But
through it all, her faith remained and continues to remain strong. She is determined to hang on to God with a
grip that just won’t let go. And of
course, God reciprocates … because He will NEVER let go of Mom’s hand! When it was finally time to share those hugs
and kisses as we left her in God’s hands and in the care of those who show such
kindness as they care for mom from morning to night, and from night to morning …
Mom laid her head against my face and shoulder and just sobbed. She knows that her time on earth is drawing
to a close, and I am sure she was thinking the same thing I was. Would this be our last earthly embrace before
Heaven? I just held her close and let
her cry, assuring her that I was right there; that all will be well – because God’s
got this! Because God’s promise is that
He will never leave us or forsake us … that He will be with us even to the end
of the age. I patted her back softly, spoke
words of love into her ear, kissed her cheek and her forehead, and told her
over and over that I love her. And then
I noticed a nurse standing off a bit observing what was happening, and I saw
tears glistening in her eyes. I finally
stood up and with one last hug and kiss and one more, “I love you so much, Mom!”
~ I walked away and turned back and threw her a kiss with a smile! I motioned for the nurse to join me in the
hallway, and she told me that seeing us was such a beautiful thing and it reminded
her of being so far away from her mom like I am. She told me that she might not have the
opportunity to go and see her elderly mom once more before she leaves this
earth. I was able to share with her that
the only reason I could walk away in that moment is because I knew that I was
leaving Mom in God’s care, which is perfect and all-sufficient. And that I will see her again someday … if
not here, then over There! I told her
that I would pray that God would provide what she needed to be able to see her
mom one more time, as well. And then I
turned with one last loving look at Mom from down the hallway, and she was
already engaged with others at the dinner table. All was well … and God poured such an
unshakable, amazing peace into me and all over me, that I left with the strong
sense that God was providing ALL that Mom and I could have needed in these
difficult moments ~ transforming them into treasured moments that I will
cherish for the rest of my life! To each
of you who prayed us through these days, your prayers were not only felt
literally, but they were answered! Thank
you, from the depths of my heart! God showed
Himself!
And this is how amazing our God is, that one day after returning
home, we get the news that our fifth great-grandchild is on her way at the very
same military hospital at Hill AFB in Utah where her daddy (our grandson) was
born nearly 23 years ago! Prayers surged
heavenward bathing her mommy throughout the birthing process, and on September
28th at 8:35 p.m., beautiful baby Hazel Elizabeth Jones made her
debut, joining our family and filling our hearts with overflowing joy at such a
precious gift to all of us from God! A
brand new life joins the family, spanning 94 years from my mom’s generation to
baby Hazel’s! One more little life to
love on and pray for as she takes her place in this world, already carrying the
divine purpose that God has planned for her!
God showed Himself!
These family stories I have shared are life-events that do not happen
every day. But God shows Himself in the
daily everyday happenings of our lives, even in the midst of the routine. But you see, with God, NOTHING is routine! It is fresh and new and exciting, as He
breathes life into our circumstances, our emotions, our longings! What we think is hopeless or beyond our capability,
God shows up to redeem and renew! He
brings hope and peace and joy when we wonder how we will go on! He infuses abilities into our very being that
we did not know we had! The greatest
gift we can give back to God is telling others what He has done for us – how He
has shown up. Time and time again! He does what He does for His own glory, that
others might be pointed to Him and choose the life and the future He came to
give us! Oh dear people, He did not come
to provide only a mundane life without joy or abundance or fulfillment; the
price He paid for us with the life of His only Son was given with the title to
so much more, if we will only receive it!
And there is another way we can bless our God when He shows Himself in
personal ways on our behalf! Read the scripture
verse summary below, and then look up the reference for the complete
God-instruction to us! God loves us with
an everlasting love!
REMEMBER …
“Be joyful
always;
Pray
continually;
Give thanks …
“
~ I Thessalonians
5:16-18
Joyfully Serving Christ . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
