One More Time Again

The other day, after hearing a loud thud, I went into the bedroom to find my husband flat on his face in a tiny space between the chair and the bed. I prayed about what to do, but felt total peace.

My initial reaction was to say, "Well, Beloved, you have gotten yourself into quite a pickle." He was virtually squeezed between the furniture and I was amazed at how he could have gotten into that small space.

I rubbed his back, but could not tell if he was dead or alive. The words of John Denver's song flitted through my mind, "I always thought that I'd see you one more time again."

I wondered if my Heavenly Daddy took His Saint home to be with Him. I internally prepared myself for a new chapter of life and continued to pray about what to do.

"Home alone" was not a state of being that I looked forward to experiencing a second time. I lost one husband when he decided there was no option for us but divorce; and now the husband that God gave me to care for and cherish me was flat on his face on the bedroom floor.

Hearing my voice, my comatose giant stirred and I immediately asked, "Beloved, should I call 911? Are you hurting any place…head, heart?"

His weak response was, "My knee is really hurting me right now."

A knee…well, that did not sound very ominous. I inquired, "May I help you up, or would you like to rest there a few more moments?" As if being squeezed between two pieces of furniture could be comfortable.

"No, I need to get up" was his sweet reply. Helping him to a standing position, I supported his considerable weight on my small frame, but I did not mind. He was still ALIVE.

We staggered over to the side of the bed for him to sit down. He immediately began rehashing what had happened in the last 10 minutes. 

"I woke up with a start from a cramp in my leg and jumped up to work it out. Then, instead of sitting on the edge of the bed to allow the blood to flow into my head, I went to the bathroom.

"As I stood there, I got lightheaded and broke out into a cold sweat. The next thing I remember, I heard a loud thud and I lost consciousness until I heard your sweet voice talking to me."

"How did you fall into that tiny, carpeted space between the furniture?"

"It had to be the Lord, because I could have broken bones, gotten a black eye or hit my head on some piece of furniture or the tiled bathroom floor; but when I fainted, He had me free fall right into the only clear, carpeted space available."

We both shook our heads in wonder and silently praised God for His Fatherly care of His child. "Since I just popped out of bed when my leg cramped, I guess I should have sat down and let the blood into my head before going to the bathroom."

We stared at one another over the miracle we both just witnessed. Our awesome God cared for His beloved Saint through every second of that ordeal, which could have left me a widow.

I greatly rejoiced and clung to my husband and cried. He wrapped his arm around me as he always does and snuggled me into my favorite place in the whole world…firmly protected in the circle of his love with my head resting peacefully on his muscled chest.

Prayer:

Father God, since we are loved by You, I know from experience that losing a mate does not hurt nearly as much as one would anticipate. You walk with us - in us - through every step of the rocky road of recovery. You work out everything to our advantage and You provide for all of our needs: physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and financially. As an authentic Believer, we experience every trial as a grand adventure in You with new people, places, ministries and purposes.

We still have anxiety which attempts to derail our faith, but You give us constant 'hugs' throughout the day to remind us that You are in us and living this experience in union with us. We still grieve our losses, but the tears are healing to our soul. Remind us not to take life for granted. Thank You for Your love and mercy in this case, by allowing me to actually see my beloved husband one more time again.

Thought for the Day:

As we completely surrender our heart to God in prayer, and relinquish our hold on unholy thoughts, words and deeds, we will not be ashamed or anxious, but confident and full of His courage. - Job 11:13-15

Finding Contentment

If we are obsessively dreading or anticipating a future event, we may overlook the blessings God wants to give us today. In fact, our feared or coveted event may never even happen. It is unhealthy for us to focus on what we want instead of what God already gave us. Stress and unhappiness come from unfulfilled expectations, and they cause physical ailments. We get so upset that we drive our self into a negative tailspin, simply because we want something we do not have.

The truth is that we need nothing and no one other than Jesus in our life. We cling to Christ in us (Colossians 1:27). He makes us totally complete (Colossians 2:10). God has a peaceful plan and a hopeful future for us (Jeremiah 29:11). A fulfilled life does not include God and something else. Contentment is found in God alone. Focus on serving God as you go to work, participate in a hobby, visit with family and friends, or worship with your church family. When God is ready, believe that He will bring us what He wants us to have.

Do not make a decision on the spur of the moment, unless God leads you and gives you the anointing to make a wise choice. If you are forced to decide now, then follow God’s peace within you. If you have no peace within, then wait. If God opens a door for you to procure what you desire, you will have total peace about it. You are not alone, and you will never be lonely, as long as you spend quality, quiet time with Jesus, the lover of your soul (1 John 4:10). He is closer to us than any person will ever be, because He lives within us.

Trust God to give you what He wants you to have and wait for His timing and will (Proverbs 3:5-6). Keep those discouraging thoughts under the Spirit’s control and praise God even for the negative aspects in your life. That will put Satan in his place and let God work on your behalf. Watch for God's little love letters to you every day in the form of shapes in the clouds, a beautiful flower, a lilting bird's song, an old friend's phone call or a song in your heart or on the radio. Once we decide that we only desire what God wants for our life, then joy fills our soul regardless of our circumstances.

We can claim as many scriptures as we can find all day long, but God is not moved until we totally surrender to Him the desires of our heart. Claiming promises is often trying to twist God's arm to work on our behalf. He is already working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). We just have to trust and praise Him in the bad times, as well as in the good. If we start living a life of praise now, we will be blessed by the Lord in ways we never even imagined. Rejoice in life one moment at a time.

Prayer:

Father God, living in the center of Your will is the happiest place on earth. You may want us to be or do something, and what we desire is contrary to Your will for us. We only find contentment in Your perfect plan for our life. You will bring it to pass in Your timing and way. We can peek through every open door, but remind us to wait on Your Holy Spirit within us to tell us whether or not to walk through that door. Teach us to rejoice each day in what You do give to us. Help us to cherish Your gifts and to thank You for each one of Your provisions for us.

Thought for the Day:

Surrender all your desires to the Lord and live your life as a praise offering to Him. Then God will put His desires in your heart and meet them. - Psalm 37:4