So 4 years ago today I was baptized in water for the first time!!! And
One week ago….
I had my van at Mavis Discount Tire replacing the routers, brake pads and spending more money then I wated to.
My van is like me. It’s my age, carries all the snacks, quirky, stylish, and in great shape considering.
While I was waiting….
I walked across the street to the town’s recreational park. I sat at some benches to read and pray.
After a little while a woman and her dog came to the park. I reached for her friendly dog, as I always enjoy petting animals. After chatting some,
I find out that the woman was from DC area, and like me, doesnt care for sweet iced tea!
or friend foods. and she used to own a health store. So as we connected on some surface level stuff, she began to tell me about her mother who she has been taking care of for a while. She is in a difficult situation! Her mom can hardly hear or see, and she had no use of her arm except for being able to move some fingers.
I told the woman that I had several people close to me who had been care-takers in tough situations, and though I have not experienced the difficulty first hand, I truly can empathize. So I asked if I could pray for her, and her mom.
The woman expressed that she was a Christian, but I inferred that in her current situation she was not seeking Him.
But that didn’t matter, He is seeking her!
I dont remeber all i said, but one thing that came to mind for her was 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast ALL your care / worry on Him because He cares for you.”
When I looked up, she was crying. A little bit after she and I talked a little more. She had to go back to her mom, And I stayed on the bench as she walked to her truck with her dog. She shouted to me from across the park, “I love you Nora.”
In that moment, time froze, and it was as if God was directly telling me how He loves me!! I am special.
And all I could do is just praise God for the overwhelming Joy He gives me everytime I get to have these type of interactions with people.
I immediately flipped back open my Bible and my eyes landed on Isaiah 30:18 :
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
This scripture was so perfect for the situation, for the woman and for me. Gods word speaks!
After some short reflection, I felt compelled to tell God that I know that what I did does not get me more kudos with Him. It’s by His grace I am saved, so I can’t boast. And most certinly am not justified by my actions. I didn’t bring tears to that womans eyes. I just simply opened a space and invited a time for that to happen.
I had to say all this because, often times when I get to pray with/for someone, or tell someone about Jesus, or share His love in anyway, I tend to think, “my dad approves of me, I know I am being obedient and loving others, YAY”…. which is right-on, but not because of my actions. I am already known, and deeply and dearly loved.
God showed me Grace on a deeper level that day. Only He is good, and without Him I can do nothing.
I’m so glad I have a life to respond to the love I have been given.
And I have a good feeling God will continue to show me areas of pride in my life and wrong thinking. He wants to take it from me. Actually, he wants me to cast it onto Him.
