Aug 1, 2008

Believing God -- Week 1


"I've been over at Meyer's On the Hood this morning after finishing the first week of the Believing God Bible study by Beth Moore. It's not too late to sign up and get started on this remarkable study!"




Okay, so that's as far as I got yesterday morning. This post sat there like that all day long yesterday waiting to be written...it was after midnight before I could sit down to finish this post.


Can I ask you a question? Do you believe in coincidences? You know, flukes? Luck? Because I don't. Not since I met the Son of God!


Allow me to explain the sudden transition here: I have sat down at this computer an untold amount of times wanting to write this post. Something always got in the way. I think it was purposed that way because there was a small test for me coming...and it needed to be included here.


One of the biggest things I have gotten from this first week of study is that God, being who He says He is, loves and cares for me -- and I really am who He says I am: joint heir with Christ, and the seed of Abraham! So what am I so worried about all the time? Is He going to care for me or not? Is He good even when I don't feel worthy of receiving His goodness? Is He good even when things around me look hopeless?


These are rhetorical questions; of course He is. His plan always has His best interest in mind, which is also my best interest. And yours. He's that good.


This is what's been on my heart and mind all day. Since I've been acknowledging it all day, isn't it fitting that my belief in that statement would be tested at the end of the day?


Last night as I sat down to work on this post again, I got an email from a lady asking for urgent prayer for a mutual friend. A family that we know quite well was watching their house burn to the ground. The firemen had just arrived and were still connecting the hose to start to battle the raging fire as she wrote the email.


They have five children; the two older ones were out, as were the parents. A babysitter (family member) was at the house with the younger three children. Praise GOD they all got out in time and no one was hurt! The house was apparently struck by lightening, and the fire ensued in the garage. They have since extinguished the fire, leaving absolute devastation behind.


While I was praying for this family after I read the email, I was led to ask the Father for one very specific thing. I am always so careful about asking anything too specific because if it's not God's will, I don't want it to "look" like He isn't listening. Duh. Am I believing God or not? See, I struggle not with can He, but will He?


So I finally exercised my belief that God was leading me in this prayer, and I specifically asked God to pull something out of the ashes, something that was meaningful and could be salvaged.


My husband went to their house (what was left of it) just to be there for them. He called a bit ago and explained what he saw. He said the flames engulfed the whole house, coming out at the roof and through the windows. The family and neighbors just stood and watched as almost 20 years of their lives together billowed up in a wretched cloud of smoke.


But then he said something I had to ask him to repeat: he said that a fireman just came out with a jewelry box and handed it to Evangeline. She began to cry.


Today is Evangeline's 16th birthday.


They also came out with the hard drive off their computer...containing all their family pictures.


Lord, in your infinite wisdom and foreknowledge, You have asked me to pray for something You had already determined to do. I believe you did that to show me that I can trust You when You lead me to pray for something, even when it's something that seems insignificant. How can I forget how you have everything in mind, you know what we need before we even know it, and you never, ever forget even the small things about us? Forgive me for my forgetfulness and my unbelief.

11 comments:

Chel said...

AMEN sister, well said, well shared! My heart is yearning for them even now as it all seems to sink in and settle in the compresses of their minds.

Indeed there is always beauty from ashes!

Chel - The Abiding Branch

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

My heart is in my throat. God is so good, and look how he is indeed everywhere all the time--in the middle of a raging fire, and in the middle of your quiet thoughts. I really needed to hear this story, Chel. Too much to explain in a short post, but thanks for sharing.

Jodie | Velour said...

This brought tears to my eyes. I totally understand wrestling with not whether God can, but whether or not He will. I totally get that.
This story is amazing though. Such a horrific tragedy - but a SWEET answered prayer. Awesome.
Great post. I needed a reminder.

Jackie said...

Oh, sister. This story was so ordained of God. How incredible to know that He can impress something upon our hearts...and I love that you were obedient and followed through on it. I have been far too guilty of the "general" requests as well...thinking the same thing you have.."He can, but will He?"

Forgive me my unbelief, too, Father...

Abba's Girl said...

I wanted to stop by your blog and say hello.

What a powerful post. I did Believing God about 5 yrs ago. You will be amazed at how much you grow in Christ in a matter of weeks during this study.

Have a blessed Sabbath.

Annette

Joyfulsister said...

My Sister...
Have I ever told you how much you bless me!! well you do. My dear husband has such awesome faith when praying and believing the Lord to come through. I always admire his strong faith of belief that if God says he can and nothing is too hard or impossible for him then lets be in one accord with the Lord and believe. The story of the fire also touched my heart, the Lord knows he sees and he cares.

Hugz Lorie

Tiffanie Lloyd said...

To find God's goodness through tragedy is a blessing. You are in for a great adventure with this book! I will pray that God continues to reveal Himself more and more.

P.S.
"pregnant stupid" I'll have to use that. :)

Scarlet O'Kara said...

So, I was just stopping over from the Blog Train...and I have to say, this post just gave me chill bumps. You have to listen to God when he speaks directly to you...

Anonymous said...

Wow this is written wonderfuly it brought tears to my eyes!

Connie said...

Beautiful story!

I do believe in fate but i also believe that God is completely behind it.

Meg in Tally said...

Just stopped by to share the love since you left me a comment. It's always so fun to find a kindred spirit.

Loved this post! You know, we don't always have to be so because God knows our hearts--but when we ARE specific and God shows us His awesome love, we can step back and PRAISE HIM TO THE HEAVENS and our faith is increased just a little more!

This story is such an awesome witness. Thanks for posting it!