Here's a true story of something that happened to me that has helped me tremendously when times get tough. I know this will sound like a good story but I guarantee that every bit of it is totally factual.
At one time I worked for a family that all but adopted me after God delivered me from drugs, booze, etc. I was taking a load of new carpet to a facility they owned in North central Iowa. It was late September as I was on I-35 heading north from De Moines when it started to snow very heavily. Now the trailer I was using was a couple feet shorter than the carpet which wasn't completely wrapped for protection. The snow was wet and sloppy and I knew that if something didn't happen fast this carpet could be ruined. I cared very much for this family for their great kindness to me so I started praying for God to do something. I kept praying and speaking God's word to the storm when I noticed that the clouds directly in front of me were getting lighter. Shortly I drove out of the snow but it was snowing like crazy on the left and right sides of the road but not a flake on the road itself. I went into a MAJOR praise session as you can imagine. This went on for quite a few miles when it started getting dark and snowed hard again. Just to show you I'm no super Christian the first thought in my head was "hey God what's the deal here". Well I thought I'd better start praying again and after a while I see the sky getting light ahead of me again but this time it appeared to be off to the right by a ¼ mile. Again my faithlessness showed through and I thought "hey God you missed it." But then I came over a rise in the road and laying before me the road curves to the right for ¼ mile and then back left and I drove right out of the snow with it snowing on the left and snowing on the right with not a flake on the road. Then as I of course was praising God again I hear His voice in my mind saying "Galen I know where you are, I know where you're going and I'm already there"
Not much more I can say other than don't just pray but speak God's word to and at the situation.
Sitting here the last day on the job with tears just rolling down my face... sure hope nobody happens by and thinks it's over this job...
What a story, Benson. What a beautiful, faith-filled, but so human a story. May we all be blessed knowing that even in such small matters as caring for carpet and those we love and want to do well by, God is faithful.
Thank you... now my head hurts from bawlin! :)
Glad it helps Doc. Now I have to reread it and remember that lesson cause I have to be the hard dad with my daughter and say no and make her be responsible for her own actions. He is here isn't He? It's so hard to remember and believe that some times. Prayers continue for all of us.
Yup. Sure did help! As I've shared many times, this rusty, empty vessel tries but falls short constantly... and likely always will till I stand before Him.
Tis going to be a good test of faith the next weeks and months..and coming here always enriches me and renews in me a right spirit.
I grew up in an area where the needle point in frames and corner stores sold prints of posters stating: "God helps him that helps himself".
German area, can ya tell?! :)
Grow up like that and it gets doubly hard to "let go and give it to God."
I still believe like what you face w/ your daughter, we've got a lot of hard Christian work to do on ourselves and with our world, but it's not about earning salvation, it's about experience God's full measure for obedience...
I might not have work right now, but that right there is the toughest job most of us will ever find... Obedience to God! Full time work...great retirement program! :)
BenBow, I know what you mean, just within this week, as you may know my sister was in the hospital and thinking she may loss her foot to an infection. I prayed as everyone here prayed with me, well my wife and I were in a store and I was drawn to these items that had some messages on them. I read them and the when it hit me was when I pick up my cell phone to call my sister and the ringer set for her -not the one I had select awhile back- was 'Jesus Take The Wheel' by Carrie Underwood. I called my sister and she was crying in fear of lossing her foot and I told her Jesus had being sending me messages that everthing would be okay. Well my sister got out of the hospital yesterday doing pretty good. Man! I've got tears telling ya'l this.
God Bless
You've got tears and I've got goose bumps!!! Thanks for sharing and prayers continue for your sister and strength and comfort for you and your family.
That's what all of us need to hear through our brotherhood of believers...stories of modern day "God-incidences" not just coincidences!
Neat stuff there Tex...course, today, I can get tears watchin it rain!
Let's keep em coming... food for the soul!
cool story , hang in there Doc, praying for all you guys... :) Marco