I know that it has been a while since I have made a post. But tonight I come with a testimony of how truly amazing God's grace is. We have a Father who cares for us so deeply and one of his greatest desires and pleasures is to give us, as his children, the kingdom of heaven. However, we often forget this promise as we go about our busy daily lives. Well, my sister and I have been visiting one of the elderly mothers of the church body that has been hospitalized. A sobering feeling comes over you when you see a once lively, joyful, and feisty loved one lie in a bed with so much pain. At times it is a struggle and we are often at a lost for words because we are not accustomed to her inability to talk and respond. But we continue to go. My 8 year old daughter (a true prayer warrior and soldier for Christ) accompanied me on one of these trips and I asked her to pray over our beloved mother before we left. One of the requests that she begged God for is still freshly embedded in my heart today just as much as it was the day she prayed it a week ago. Her petition, "Lord let her know that people love her." That penetrated to the core of my heart and struck the cords of my soul. It gave meaning and understanding as to why we are to obey God's command to "visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction," James 1:27. It extended value and purpose as to why we continue to go. We do it all because of LOVE! It is love that compels us and it is that same love that has helped us to overcome every bit of anxiety, awkwardness, and uneasiness that we often felt as we approached her room.
TODAY, as we walked in, we saw the answer to one of our prayers. Even though she still cannot talk; she was alert, aware, and communicated to us with uhhh huhs and hmm hmms. It was amazing. For the first time since we have been visiting her, my sister and I were able to see the sparkle in her eyes as she recognized who we were and she assured us that she is still keeping the faith in the midst of her trial. I am eternally grateful for that and I thank God for allowing us to be a part of this journey with our mother. A journey that will be taken in love and walked out in faith.
But he shall receive and hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
This love that I have for a spiritual mother that was given to me as a gift by God and the love that I have for a heavenly Father whose grace is truly amazing is a part of the promises that he gives to us freely. It is His "good pleasure" to allow us to experience this kind of love because only this kind of love can come from the kingdom of God.
Thank you Daddy!!
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