Written: April 5, 2016
Now I lay me down to sleep…and I close my eyes saying: “This is the day the Lord made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” All of a sudden, I’m wide awake, thinking about all the conversations I’ve had in just this one day…
I check in on a dear friend who sits constantly by the side of her dying mother, and I’m in awe of the strength the Lord has given her to minister to her for many long years without bitterness or despair.
I check on a dear brother who’s praying for healing for his wife’s cancer, and seek God’s face and plan for their family.
I listen to a dear sister who just needs a friend to bounce thoughts off me in relation to children, church and relationships, and I thank the Lord for her faithfulness in parenting challenges.
I called another sister who had prayers answered in a custody case over her children, and I listen how God meets her needs on a day-to-day basis as she walks by faith, not by sight.
I tried calling two other women who came to mind that have had sick children lately…neither answered, so I ask the Lord to meet their needs, even when I don’t know the details.
I answered an email from a stranger who was amazed that I could write last month’s prayer patterns so soon after my husband’s death, by sharing with her that what is amazing is that I wrote that more than a year ago, and God knew I would need to read my own words to help me through my grief.
All this on top of spending a couple of hours reading through more letters from our days overseas, being reminded that what I experienced today in each of the above situations is nothing new. The same Lord who walked with Raouf and me 25 years ago through good times and bad, is the same Lord who is at work in the life of each person I spoke with today.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…my cup runneth over.” I am not alone in my struggles, in fact, my light and momentary troubles are nothing compared not only to Christ’s but to the dear ones I’ve spoken to today. As I reflect on these dear ones, on the struggles they continue to face, I pray the Lord’s blessing and comfort on each one. Now I lay me down to sleep…I pray the Lord their souls to keep in His precious care. Amen.
Carol, I am among those who listened to your wonderful witness at First United Methodist this morning. I have spent the last two hours being comforted by your blog. Although it has been 8 years since my husband died , like you, I still miss him terribly.
One of the ways I am blessed by serving is by being a sort of teacher’s aide in our church’s ESL program, I think we have people from 15 different countries this year. Working with them is pure joy. We have had 2 Moslems this fall.
Thanks so much for your service to Him.
Alee, thank you so much for that encouragement. I’m thrilled to see how God is using you to minister to the nations. I always say that we receive so much more than we give. God is good! It was a joy to be with you all this morning. Blessings.