Living by faith...not by sight

Have you ever wondered just how powerful your prayers really can be? I admit that I question that for myself. Although I have seen first hand the amazing power of God through prayer, I find it difficult to trust that God can and will show that power through my prayer. I know in my head that God CAN move mountains if we ask in prayer but admittedly my faith wavers in believing He WILL. Living by faith is a difficult concept for many people. Faith isn't a physical, touchable thing. In today's economic struggle I tend to focus on what I can see...money in the bank account or in my hand, food in the pantry, fridge and freezer and clothes on my children's backs. I also tend to focus on other tangible things such as the bills that may or may not get paid this month. Instead, I should be focused on the fact that I pray to a living and active God who desires nothing more than the best for me. Just because I may not see lightning bolts from the sky that just zap my troubles away doesn't mean that God isn't working to help me in my times of need.

A family member emailed this story to me. It is what honestly triggered my thought process today. May it be a blessing to you also as you read it...

SPECIAL GROCERY LIST
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.

She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her20and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.'

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store..

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?'

Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'O.K' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.'

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.

The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.'

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:

Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.'

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.

Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.'

Dear Jesus - You are a strong and mighty God. You know the needs that we each face today. You know the bills that are sitting here that we can't conceptually pay. Father God, you know the struggles of each person reading this and even those that aren't. Work you mighty hand, beyond our feeble attempt at faith. Bring peace to you children. Reveal yourself again. Thank you Father God for being who you are and for loving us despite of who we are. Forgive us for our lack of faith and trust. Restore it again to you child. In Jesus' name...AMEN

Spiritual Heritage

Over the last several days, I have been looking into our family's geneological heritage. It is amazing the things that I am learning about our family's background. Today, I am reminded of my bible study lesson about how we have a spiritual heritage that we are to pass on to our children. Just as we strive to provide a financial inheritance for our child we are to provide a spiritual heavenly inheritance as well. Heaven is our home, we are merely passing through this world we live in. How am I passing on my spiritual heritage and heavenly inheritance to my children? Just something to think about. God bless!

For I know you by name

This past weekend our pastor spoke answered the question, "What happens when we die?" as part of his "Ask Anything" series. It was not something new for me to hear however it did give me a different perspective of entering my heavenly home. Pastor showed that last scene of the movie "Gladiator" where Maximus dies and joins his wife and son. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought of the day I am called to my home in heaven by my Father. First, I will meet my Savior Jesus and then, I believe, I will be greeted by my loved ones who have gone home ahead of me - my dad, grandparents and my three babies.

Yesterday, January 27 marked the fourth year since the miscarriage of our fourth child. As these anniversaries come, I do try to make a point of acknowledging the day. This is usually a mere statement of acknowlegement. (Acknowleging this is something that can seems strange and is difficult to understand unless you have lost a child.) Around Kayli's birthdate, I have talked to Rebecca about the fact that her sister lives in heaven with Jesus. She is quite aware of her sister Kayli and seems to have this unique comprehension of her. (I learned I was pregnant with Rebecca just 6 weeks after Kayli's stillbirth.) I have also mentioned that she has two more siblings in heaven. A couple of days ago, I mentioned that yesterday would be her brother or sister's 4th birthday in heaven. She asked me ever so gently, "Mommy, what is her name?" That got me thinking. Two of my five children have been part of my heart and my mind for years and we will never know, until heaven, whether they are boys, girls or one of each. The wonderful thing is that my Father in heaven knows. He knew their names before the creation of the world! Isn't that amazing! My God knew me, wanted me, loved me before the creation of the world. I was an intentional creation of His. We all are! And all that He asks of us is that we acknowledge that our sin has separated us from Him and ask Him to forgive us. How cool is that! He also knows the names of my children. Rebecca and I have decided that together we want to give names to these two babies. So in the next few days or so I will post the names we feel are right for them. :o)

Thank you God for knowing us all by name. Thank you for the gift of my children. Hold them close and love them deeply. Amen