God has given me so many wonderful gifts but today I have chosen to tell you about one that recently rocked my world. For years I have prayed that my oldest son, Michael, would come to know God intimately. My prayers went something like this:
“Father, You know You have given my son an ability to learn and grasp knowledge with ease. Thank You, Father. Still, Lord, in all of that knowledge he is often a ‘prove it to me’ person. Please, Lord, I ask that he may hear Your spoken voice. Lord, from the beginning of our relationship You have given me visions and at times spoken aloud to me. I pray that when Michael hears Your voice, may he know it is You that has spoken. He will know You are the one true living God that still speaks to His children and calls them by name.”
This past September my mom went to be with the Lord. All of the family was gathering to say their goodbyes. As my son arrived, I noticed that he seemed different in some way. He sat by her bed praying over her. He read the 23rd Psalm to her.
My daughter-in-law said lately she would find Michael reading the Bible (not his normal thing). To bring further meaning to the story I have to tell you that for days my sister wouldn’t leave my mom’s side. Finally, I convinced her that we needed to go eat. Our husbands would sit with mom.
As we drove back into the Hospice parking lot, I knew something was wrong. Our husbands met us to say mom had died. The first thing that came to my mind was that I had caused my sister to lose the very thing she so desired – to be by mom’s side at the time of death. My spirit was broken and I felt so guilty for taking her away.
Michael came to me. At first he just tried to comfort me. Then he suggested we go into another room, for he wanted to tell me something. Now this is what God did for me. Michael said, “Mother, God told me to tell you this: ‘You of all people should know that I AM in control. I did what I needed to do when I needed to do it. Do not question my actions.’”
Without a doubt I knew God had spoken through Michael. See, while God took one thing from me, He gave me another kind of gift. He gave me just what I asked of Him. Imagine that! The first time my son heard God’s voice was to give me a message. Do we not serve an awesome, loving God?
Memory Verse:
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
– Matthew 7:11 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Thank You, Father, for the good gifts You give to Your children. I praise your Holy name. Help me to see the amazing gifts that You give to me daily, starting with…”
Contributing Writer:
Linda Jurek
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