I wrote this article a couple of months ago, but because of the volatile situation involved, I decided to delay the posting of it. This week following Thanksgiving seems the perfect time to hint at how the Lord blesses His people and draws us to Him.
I can tell you that the friend of whom I wrote is well on her way to full recovery – praise Jesus!
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Last week held some oddities of life. A huge unexpected thing that made us all reel and a tiny, insignificant matter that rocked me to the core.
First the big. A new friend invited me to sit with her at a special luncheon on Saturday. A few hours later, she was shot in the face. She remarkably survived the attack. It sounds like something out of a novel, but hit too close to home with a generous friend who I’d just started getting to know.
Then the small. As I pulled up to my house a golden retriever, still in an adolescent stage, came running into the street to greet me. She had a red collar, but no tags, so I set up the girls in the front yard with her, hoping that her owner would happen to walk down the street.
Two situations; both of them had me hoping and praying for good news, and willing myself to expect it.
And that’s how our Father woos us. Precious Redhead loves that word because it speaks of such a devotion and dedication to draw us closer to Him. The Lord uses the tragedies of life, like my friend’s situation, to show us His power and the adoration He has for us. Within a day, my friend was able to communicate – even with sign-spelling – to answer simple questions. A day later she passed memory and cognitive tests and the next, she left ICU. The doctors even believe she might go home soon. God’s blessings have shocked me!
And just to make sure I understand that the Lord loves me personally, just like He loves my friend, He put a silly puppy into my life. My sensitive heart doesn’t abide animal stories and I hate seeing strays, but this one practically chose me. Dear Boy’s dog would never have accepted it and Sweet Hubby would likely have moved out if it stayed, but I couldn’t call the pound. She was so sweet and lovable. After the girls read and played video games outside for a couple of hours with her, all three girls did the block, knocking on doors. No luck. We fed her and played with her for a while before I sent the girls back out to walk the block again, a little before sunset. Yes, I prayed for success. I didn’t know what we would do otherwise. They’d been gone for about a half hour when I opened the front door, just to look for them. A lady passed by outside at that moment, walking her Lab and I stopped her, introduced myself, and asked if she knew anyone who had a ginger colored dog. She mentioned that she saw three girls walking one and I told her how I’d found it. “Oh that’s Bella. She belongs to the lady on the corner over there.”
Are you kidding me? God had me open the door for no real reason just as this woman walked by, in order to assuage my stress and ease my tender heart.
Does He woo us. Oh my yes! Daily. In dozens, if not hundreds, of ways, He gently whispers to us His adoration. He pours His blessings and delights in the joy that they bring us. And when I think of His love, these situations expand a whole new layer – a personal one – onto the meaning of the word.
Your turn: How has the Lord shown you His remarkable love this week?
Marji Laine 
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