“I’m anxious and overwhelmed!” was the call this morning — in tearful conversation — and what’s this mama to do when the state of things is overwhelming and the reality is that we’re states apart — too many to jump in my van and get there fast enough !
My heart begins to pray. My husband lovingly hands me a cup of freshly brewed coffee because he knows that says, “I love you and I’m here for you!”. I listen. I know the cry of an anxious heart. I’m too familiar with my own anxious heart and I hate how it grabs the joy and twists the truth right out of you!
I fumble around in my heart for words that will help bring peace and living water to drown out all the fear and the lies when what I desperately want to do is be there in person and hold this child of mine close and tell her it’ll be okay …God sees …He’s with her … He knows …He heals …He loves her! I want to run right over there and help feed her babies their breakfast …give long hugs … wrap them all in mama’s love.
But there’s another love going on that’s even stronger than mine …the love of the Father …the love that cannot be thwarted by any other power on earth or in the heavenlies. He had the call queued up to begin with and before we even asked, He was already working in the unseen realm on behalf of this child of mine.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
You see, this child is His child as well — and nothing was going on that He hadn’t already provided for. My way is often to call a friend or family member — networking the miracle as best I can. His way is to BE the miracle and show His intimate love to us individually — not with the orchestration of human hands — but by His hand — often using us in the process.
That’s when the text came — while we were on the phone fumbling for words, the Holy Spirit nudged my friend, Candy, to text me …
“What you need prayer 4?”
Hope has a way of interrupting our anxious thoughts!
I knew the Holy Spirit knew what He was doing . Somewhere in the middle of one mama pouring out to another mama — the Holy Spirit interceded to the Father for this child — just like He promised He would …
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
But the Father keeps His promise not to leave us or abandon us and when He says He will be with us, He really means it. That’s why I shouldn’t have been surprised that, yet again — while we were still on the phone — there was a knock on the back door. Jesus had come … in person! …because a sister can be that way, you know! And I know that God, in all three Persons it seems, has truly shown up because He really does love this little one of mine — all grown up but still needing the loving hand of the Father to comfort and heal and bring peace — BE peace — to her soul. And the Father had also heard the prayer of her husband, just the night before , asking Him to please let her know that God loved her.
And I know that states cannot separate us from the love of God no matter how far north…
or south …
or east …
or west !
And whatever state I’m in, I’m settled on this truth.
Nothing. Can. Separate. Us. From. His. Love.
And while God was showing up for my child …He was also showing up for this mama and bringing peace to my own troubled heart. He knows the miles between a mom and her children can stretch her heart-strings to near breaking and He eases the tension by using His own heart-strings to bind us all together, and pour His love over us and draw us all into His presence. He lifts us up in His lap and seems to say …”It’s okay. I’m taking care of you all. Peace! (Anxious heart that’s beating way too fast) — be still. ”
Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing !
And the words of Jesus through the Apostle Paul came to life right off the pages of my Bible as I read from Romans 8:35-39 …
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus ! Nothing !
Joy! thank you again for sharing w/us.I believe this ministry you have started “Life-giving Moments” is reaching much farther than you could in other ways.I personally relate with what you & family are going through & God has met every need since 2006 when my husband had open heart surgery & lost all medical benefits/monsanto at the end of that year.we thought we would have to move out of the christain retirement home we had moved into a year before but could not afford & pay medical.As you have said,”God worked in all of the same ways to meet our need” & us be able to stay here.I thank you for being obedient to God.-phyllis kramm
Phyllis — this morning the Holy Spirit brought to mind …”Oh for grace , to trust Him more !” I pray blessing and grace on you and your husband and may God continue to meet all of your needs beyond your wildest imagination ! Thank you for your encouragement and I would ask that you pray for me to keep hearing and obeying the voice of God.
Joy…what’s going on and how can I help from here….You have been on my mind this week and here this is….Love Chris
So good to hear from you Chris !! My daughter had a rough week with very sick kids and then dealing with her own diabetes. It’s just hard not to be there and help but I’m so thankful that God was there and sent help along the way. I think they are getting better but please keep them in your prayers. Check in on them if you see them at church, etc. 🙂
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