There are moments when I am weak. Where the spirit of God is a memory and I succumb to all the human frailties at my disposal. The moments of weakness seem to increase in frequency as I see more hurt in the world. When I am sick I cry out to God to save me; when a loved one dies I cry out to God to comfort me; when I am in need of money I cry out to God to help me; and when I feel alone I cry out to God why me. And God answers.
No miracle doctor places his hands on me and I am healed; no preacher makes the sign of the cross to have that loved one resurrected; No money man camps at my doorstep, there is no check in the mail; No one is there when I awake from my nightmares and I am still alone. But God inspires me to find answers.
My sister’s children play with me. They ask way too many questions. They run from me or to me or cry at the word no. They are loud and boisterous and thankfully normal. Maybe this keeps me young.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus.” Ephesians 5:20
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.“ Thessalonians 5:18
There are moments when I feel sad at not having children of my own. There are times I wonder if I missed the opportunity or ignored God’s plan out of selfishness. I wonder if I could be labeled a failure. Then God is there, in harsh words calling me barren but telling me to rejoice in it.
“For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.” Galatians 4:27
When my mother died after a long illness it was the loss of my best friend. I had to take time to reexamine my purpose. For years I had focused on getting her up for dialysis and getting her through dialysis and getting her home. My primary goal was seeing to her comfort and anticipating her needs. When she recognized me as the nice lady who helped out I had already lost my mother and cried in private. God knew and introduced me to a friend.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
But the greatest comfort knew she was a believer and had found a better place. In God’s way she would rise again.
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6
“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Acts 24:15
I have been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, heart failure and diabetes. I have been denied insurance because of my health. But faith has kept me from letting my health define me.
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15
The Bible is a glorious instrument. It plays the music our hearts as we hear of God’s wrath, God’s rules, and God’s beauty. It is also a living testament of God’s love. In each verse there is comfort as we are taught to pray so clearly on our responsibility to God and man.
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:8-15
Amen.