Do you ever have moments when you doubt God's love for you? Do you wonder whether He really sees all that's going on in your life? After all, it's a huge world and there's lots of people to consider.
I've been going through many challenges lately. I even wrote about my depression on Monday's post. I'm not a person who chooses to dwell on topics like this. But I know that many people are going through trying times. The circumstances may be different but ...so many are hurting.
Let me tell you that God does see ALL that's going on in your life! He knows your pain, your fears, your needs. He's not forgotten about you.
Yesterday, I received a phone call from my pastor. I hadn't expected it but I have to say that my heart was warmed to hear his voice. Pastor Dan heard that I was going through a difficult time and he wanted to tell me that my church family was there for me. The tenderness in his voice was ...music to my ears.
My church is a large congregation in mid-central Phoenix. We have people of all races, colors and income levels. One of the songs that we frequently sing is "The Ground is Level at the Foot of the Cross". And oh, how I believe that!
But when you belong to a large church, it can also be easy to get lost. Joining a Sunday morning Bible study provides a place where you get to know people, grow, learn and fellowship. It also helps with accountability.
But I have to say that whenever I've experienced a major challenge in my life, Pastor Dan has been there for me. I remember once calling the church office and hesitantly asking if he could call me as I needed to talk. Without hesitation, his secretary had him on the phone listening to me. The next Sunday as the service ended, I got up to exit my pew and Pastor Dan was standing there with open arms. I will never forget that!
Yesterday, Pastor Dan prayed with me and for me. And I was so grateful. It was a ...whisper of God's love.
This morning I had to be in Scottsdale at 6 in the morning. I was on my way home, enjoying the cooler weather (it was in the 60's). There were even a few sprinkles of rain. And then I saw it! The most beautiful rainbow in the sky dropping down to the earth right next to Camelback Mountain. I quietly thanked the Lord. I knew that He knows all about my concerns. I know that He loves me. That rainbow was another ...whisper of God's love.
And then when I arrived home and checked my email, I had received an e-card from my blogging sister Lisa Shaw. The words she wrote touched my heart. Thank you Lisa. Another whisper of God's love!
And my friend Jamie from San Antonio sent me words of encouragement in an email. She shared a quote from Joni Eareckson Tada with me:
"When I was on my feet, big boisterous pleasures provided only fleeting satisfaction. In a wheelchair, satisfaction settles in as I sit under an oak tree on a windy day and delight in the rustle of the leaves or sit by a fire and enjoy the soothing strains of a symphony. These smaller, less noisy pleasures are rich because, unlike the fun on my feet, these things yield patience, endurance, and a spirit of gratitude, all of which fits me further for eternity. It is this yieldedness that gains you the most here on earth."
Another ...whisper of God's love!
If you're going through a difficult time, ask the Lord open your ears and your eyes. He often uses a friend, your pastor or even a rainbow ...to whisper His love to you.
Are you listening?
Those rainbows are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post. It is so tempting when we are going through trying times to think that God has left us. We just need to remember that He promised He never would and that He really does love us and care. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteAMEN!
ReplyDeleteYou are loved - let that be whispered over and over again into your heart today!
Hugs and blessings,
Jill
Aww, the LORD does whisper to us through others. His love for you Debbie is overflowing.
ReplyDeleteI love you and am praying for you and am thankful the LORD used me to touch your heart today. It's all HIM.
What precious whispers from our loving God!
ReplyDeleteMy son came home from practice today and shared with me that he had taken a girl a Bible of his to school today and witnessed to her. Yesterday she was sitting in the corner of the gym crying and when he asked her what was wrong she told him a horrible mistake she had made and told him that she would always be a "screw up" and she was better off dead. She got up and ran off before he could get her but it haunted him all night and he prayed and prayed for her and today God told him that she would be in the coaches office and to take her a Bible and witness to her and sure enough she was in the coaches office and he had taken the Bible and when he walked in she was sitting with the coach and she grabbed the Bible and asked joshua what it was and he told her it was for her and he said she smiled so big.
He than began to tell her how her words yesterday scared him and how we all make mistakes but God loves her and then he shared with her what God had told him to say. He wanted her to read the book of John, the gospels and then Ecclesiastes. He said as he was leaving she came running up to him and gave him a hug and said she just opened up the Bible and read the first thing she came to and it said "stay away from evil" and she told Josh...I'm going to stay away from that boy that is wanting me to do that stuff and Josh told her "good idea"...you are worth far more than that and God has something better planned for you!
As he told me the story, I thought...I needed to hear it...God still whispers his love to the teen who will listen and be bold and reach out to another.
So when I read this today, Debbie, I just cried. It's hard sometimes when we are going through things to not let it absorb us and think God has forgotten about us but OH HOW HE lOVES US!
I know this is long....I just so wanted to share it with you!
Love you to pieces. I pray it blesses you.
How beautiful that God blessed you with the rainbows and sweet messages of His love from your friends. His timing with things like that is always perfect.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day.
Bethany
I praise God for blessing you with His rainbows sweetie, love you.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think of how comforted are the many because you are willing to share your discomforts. There's nothing like a dose of authenticity to touch the heart. We need each other!
ReplyDeleteMay you be strengthened mightily as you navigate this rocky place.
Praying for you,
Kathleen
P.S. I don't know if you've met Andrea from A Parson's Wife, but she has a powerful post today that will be an encouragement. She, too, is living in a season of challenge.
ReplyDeletehttp://aparsonswife.blogspot.com/
Since I've been in Norway I've gone to a church every week - I sit and listen - but I don't know what is being said as I don't know Norwegian. It's strange being a part of a group of people but can't communicate or understand (the older generation of Norwegians can't really speak English - so we just smile at each other and shake hands). So I just sit at church with my family and feel the Spirit. One day I will know what is being said.
ReplyDeleteThough I am lucky to have Moose as when we are both sitting (it's hard to do these days with two kids) he translates to me.
My thoughts are with you.