Wednesday, August 31, 2011
God’s Providence
The word providence is defined in more than one way in The Random House College Dictionary Revised Edition. The first definition is the foreseeing care and guardianship of God over His creatures. There are people who claim they can predict the future, but no one knows the future. Only God knows the future. He knows what our future holds. He knows what we have needed in the past, what we currently need and what we will need in the future. Just think, things in our life may be happening today because of a future need that He sees. Does that make sense?
Another definition of providence in the aforementioned dictionary is a manifestation of divine care or direction. I believe in the providence of God. I have seen the providence of God. I have felt the providence of God. I know that God has cared for and directed me in the past. I know that my Redeemer lives and still cares for and directs me in this life.
Romans 8:28 is a favorite verse of many people. It says “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” There are many examples in the Bible where God worked providentially in people’s lives. There are many examples today where He is doing the same thing, working providentially behind the scenes in our lives for future good. What are some ways that God has shown his providential care in your life?
One example in my life and my family’s life is the adoption of my niece. Things happened in my sister and brother-in-law’s life that led to her adoption. They look back at those things and realize it was God’s providence. I’m sure we can all think of a chain of events in our lives that led to something wonderful, a blessing from God. I firmly believe in the providence of God with reference to my wonderful husband. I won’t go into detail, but God worked behind the scenes to make our paths cross. I don’t see how I would ever had met him had it not been for God’s providence.
Another more recent example is when my husband lost his job a few short months ago. It wasn’t just my husband, it was his entire department, across the state, that was being cut. At first, of course, everyone thinks that is terrible. We thought the same thing. But looking at it now, it actually was a good thing. He now has a job at a great place that he likes. This new job is more flexible. He can work from home now some, which gives him more time with our son. He actually was going to have to go to work somewhere that he didn’t really want to, but it was a job, so he was going to do it. But within a matter of days, this other opportunity came up and was finalized. Well, I don’t believe it just came up. I believe that God answered our prayers and had been providentially taking care of us all along the way. When we first heard about the job loss, of course there were mixed emotions. I recall however not being that worried. I knew that things would work out for the best. During this time I had posted on facebook these words to that familiar song… “There are things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand”. I feel like things happen for a reason, whether we know and understand that reason or not. I knew that God would provide. And as always, He did.
I am reminded of a song “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”. Part of the song says, “Chart and compass came from thee, Jesus, Savior, pilot me”. I want Jesus to always be my pilot. I am thankful that he is my chart and compass through life and that he is guiding me and providing for me. May you see God’s providence in your life today.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Son
What a treat... a week at my son's house in Jackson. My husband was coming on the weekend for a cookout and we would have a leisurely trip home together. Maybe spend some time in Nashville, where we lived for seven years.
A phone call changed everything...
My son, who is a police officer, had left for work at 11:30 pm. on June 2, 2010. Around
1:30 am. on June 3 my husband called and told me to sit down. "Travis has been shot... all they know is he was shot four times, two were in the chest, he is conscious. A police officer is coming to pick you up and I am on the way!"
It all happened in a moment... Praying...
I was begging God to spare my son's life. My mind was racing...my heart was pounding... but the world somehow was in slow motion. My heart kept pleading to my Father in Heaven...please God...he's my son.
When I arrived at the hospital there was a blur of police officers lining the halls. I heard myself saying "Where's my son?" Someone called to me and lead me into the ER, blood on the floor... the sheets...and I see him. He raised his head and looked at me... (why did he look 5 years old to me instead of the young man of 26 that he was) He spoke, "Someone get my mom a chair!"
God is so good... impact plates and a police vest kept the two bullets from penetrating his heart, his leg would heal, and after surgery and rehab his shoulder would also heal. His daddy and I would still hear his voice, his laughter, watch him tease his brother, teach God's Word,... lead his life.
During those difficult days the prayers, phone calls, and messages sustained us. I kept thinking of a phrase in the song "A Common Love" which says..."A common strength when we're weary..." We were physically and emotionally weary, however, our Spirit was being renewed by the blessing of being a part of God's loving family.
I pray we will never forget that God gave His Son for our sins... Our Father in Heaven gave His only Son....for me and for you. I cannot comprehend so great a sacrifice... I know God must love us so very much. Our God is an awesome God...Thank you, Father.
A phone call changed everything...
My son, who is a police officer, had left for work at 11:30 pm. on June 2, 2010. Around
1:30 am. on June 3 my husband called and told me to sit down. "Travis has been shot... all they know is he was shot four times, two were in the chest, he is conscious. A police officer is coming to pick you up and I am on the way!"
It all happened in a moment... Praying...
I was begging God to spare my son's life. My mind was racing...my heart was pounding... but the world somehow was in slow motion. My heart kept pleading to my Father in Heaven...please God...he's my son.
When I arrived at the hospital there was a blur of police officers lining the halls. I heard myself saying "Where's my son?" Someone called to me and lead me into the ER, blood on the floor... the sheets...and I see him. He raised his head and looked at me... (why did he look 5 years old to me instead of the young man of 26 that he was) He spoke, "Someone get my mom a chair!"
God is so good... impact plates and a police vest kept the two bullets from penetrating his heart, his leg would heal, and after surgery and rehab his shoulder would also heal. His daddy and I would still hear his voice, his laughter, watch him tease his brother, teach God's Word,... lead his life.
During those difficult days the prayers, phone calls, and messages sustained us. I kept thinking of a phrase in the song "A Common Love" which says..."A common strength when we're weary..." We were physically and emotionally weary, however, our Spirit was being renewed by the blessing of being a part of God's loving family.
I pray we will never forget that God gave His Son for our sins... Our Father in Heaven gave His only Son....for me and for you. I cannot comprehend so great a sacrifice... I know God must love us so very much. Our God is an awesome God...Thank you, Father.
Monday, August 15, 2011
I Don't Know
A favorite response of mine lately is, "I don’t know." This month, Lord willing, I will be entering college: new place, new people, new ideas, new routines, and the list goes on. Change is difficult for me, and I’m sure it is for many other Christian ladies, as well.
People ask me questions about it everyday. Some go like this: "Are you going to have a coffeepot for your room?" You know me so well! I think and say aloud. Other questions are more difficult, and the mental and verbal answers often differ: "What are you going to major in?" Stay-at-home-Mom! I think with a grin. Uh, I don’t really know…I like to write, so…English? I also like to bake…and sing…and stuff. Yes, that’s more like the real answer—I don’t know!
Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do either. And though he wasn’t choosing a career, deciding when to finish his essay, or having to make new friends, the things he did to deal with his ignorance of how to handle a situation can teach us a lot today.
Second Chronicles 20 opens pretty bleakly. Nations were coming to make war against Jehoshaphat, and he was afraid (v.1-3)! But he turned to the Lord—and he wasn’t alone in doing so. Verse 4 says that all the cities of Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord! We see through Jehoshaphat’s prayer, specifically verse 6, that he knew God was (and still is!) God of the heavens. He knew God was (and still is!) ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations. He knew power and might were (and still are!) in His hand so that no one can stand against Him. Jehoshaphat knew he and his people could (as we still can!) cry out to Him in distress, and He would hear and deliver them (v.9). The prayer of Jehoshaphat is concluded in verse 12 with a beautiful, comforting declaration: "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
Relief! That’s exactly what we find when we know who God is and what He can do when we trust Him! Jehoshaphat knew he couldn’t defeat that army alone, but He knew Who could. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew Who did! And when he asked and trusted, God took care of it (v. 14-23)! We each experience different "don’t know" times in life. My college anxieties are small, for example, compared to a woman who is facing an unfaithful spouse or a widow who is battling poor health. But you know what? We can all appreciate and take advantage of the fact that no matter how seemingly small or big our "I don’t knows" are, God can and will take care of them if we keep our eyes on Him, simply trusting and obeying.
People ask me questions about it everyday. Some go like this: "Are you going to have a coffeepot for your room?" You know me so well! I think and say aloud. Other questions are more difficult, and the mental and verbal answers often differ: "What are you going to major in?" Stay-at-home-Mom! I think with a grin. Uh, I don’t really know…I like to write, so…English? I also like to bake…and sing…and stuff. Yes, that’s more like the real answer—I don’t know!
Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do either. And though he wasn’t choosing a career, deciding when to finish his essay, or having to make new friends, the things he did to deal with his ignorance of how to handle a situation can teach us a lot today.
Second Chronicles 20 opens pretty bleakly. Nations were coming to make war against Jehoshaphat, and he was afraid (v.1-3)! But he turned to the Lord—and he wasn’t alone in doing so. Verse 4 says that all the cities of Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord! We see through Jehoshaphat’s prayer, specifically verse 6, that he knew God was (and still is!) God of the heavens. He knew God was (and still is!) ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations. He knew power and might were (and still are!) in His hand so that no one can stand against Him. Jehoshaphat knew he and his people could (as we still can!) cry out to Him in distress, and He would hear and deliver them (v.9). The prayer of Jehoshaphat is concluded in verse 12 with a beautiful, comforting declaration: "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
Relief! That’s exactly what we find when we know who God is and what He can do when we trust Him! Jehoshaphat knew he couldn’t defeat that army alone, but He knew Who could. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew Who did! And when he asked and trusted, God took care of it (v. 14-23)! We each experience different "don’t know" times in life. My college anxieties are small, for example, compared to a woman who is facing an unfaithful spouse or a widow who is battling poor health. But you know what? We can all appreciate and take advantage of the fact that no matter how seemingly small or big our "I don’t knows" are, God can and will take care of them if we keep our eyes on Him, simply trusting and obeying.
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