Saturday, April 18, 2015

Seeing and Recognizing


FROM GOD'S WORD
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” I John 5:14-15

“For my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
 
FROM MY HEART
I must say that if you know me, then you know there are few times that I would consider myself rendered speechless, in a place where I could not find the words to describe an experience.

 
But that is what happened when I attended the celebration of life service for my friend Kimberly Merritt. I expected to be overcome with grief because I was in shock when I heard the news that Kim had died. If you didn’t know Kim then you wouldn’t really get it how the person that I knew who was so full of life and joy, expecting her first child could be gone from this world. So shock was the word.

Then for me, it took me back to that time 16 years ago, when I also sat in a hospital NICU being told by a doctor that they had done all they could but my one month old son had died, already having been preceded earlier by the death of his twin brother.

But what I experienced on Thursday was nothing short of supernatural. Because instead of everyone weeping in grief, it was a total Spirit-led, get-your-praise-on worship service. I was surprised when I saw that Kim’s husband would not only do the eulogy, but would also sing. And now that I think about it, those of us who know Harold, should have known, he would do nothing less than give God the glory even in the midst of profound grief.

But here is what struck me. As I visited Facebook since Kim’s death, there has been an outpouring of prayers for Harold that God would give him strength, and grace, all that he needs to bear up under this loss. There were people at my church praying for Harold who didn’t know him, but had heard the story. And many others, friends and family alike, that petitioned God on his behalf.

But when we saw it, we were amazed. We marveled at how it was possible. We saw, but we didn’t recognize. We were witnessing the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in Harold. It was supernatural. I think we got that part.

But I suspect that what most of us failed to see in the moment was that God allowed us to see the expression of His faithfulness. God heard our prayers and He answered. And He allowed us to witness His power at work. It was a reminder that we can trust God.

I heard a song this week that has stayed with me. It summed up all the emotional turmoil I felt these past few days, and the answer….God is a Good Father. He takes care of His own, up in heaven and here on earth. No matter what we face in life, may we love God enough to know that He doesn’t do anything to harm us, but all He does is motivated out of love, because He is LOVE.

Draw closer to Him and He will show you more of Himself.

I hope this song blesses you as it has me. Good, Good Father by HouseFires II.


 WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Look for God this week in the way He has answered your prayers. Worship Him for who He is even in the middle of difficult circumstances. I would love to hear about your experience. Post your comment below or leave your thoughts at www.facebook.com/10thingsaboutGod.

1 comment:

  1. The most amazing times in my life have been on my knees with tears streaming down my face thanking my good and fully gracious Daddy for all of the blessings that I have experienced even when it seemed that the world was crashing down. It is when a person is at their lowest that God truly shines the brightest. God doesn't make mistakes and He genuinely loves all of us. Thank you for the amazing word Tina Bryson. You are a wonderful and amazing Proverbs 31 woman of God. <3

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