February 13, 2018

A Pause

Jesus often admonished His disciples for their lack of faith after witnessing so many miracles.  “How do you not yet understand about the lilies of the field, or feeding the five thousand with a few fish and loaves of bread?”

How do we not understand? Because we are weak and frail. The devil uses our weaknesses, stirring up doubts, telling us we are unworthy of God’s good gifts.  We are unworthy, but God still grants them because of His infinite love.  

Streams in the Desert: “Difficulties are sent to reveal what God can do in answer to faith that prays and works.”

Sometimes God sends difficulties not only to strengthen our faith, but also to encourage us to spend more time with Him in prayer for ourselves and for others. Prayer, with God’s intervention, can accomplish more than years of physical struggle. He asks us to pause in our headlong rush to accomplish to sit at His feet and learn.

“Your faith can level forests.” Streams in the Desert.

My upcoming surgery and recuperation period is an opportunity to deepen my prayer life and open myself to more meditation. Who knows what forests He and I can level?

“According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19.


One thing I have learned, God’s light of hope, comfort, love, and compassion shines brightest in the dark places of our lives.  

February 03, 2018

My Gethsemane

I knew with the same certainty of other premonitions that my mammogram would not be normal. I prayed, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking that this cup pass from me. In response, I received a vision and a promise. I saw myself lying on the couch, smothered in blankets, recovering from treatments, assured I would be healed.  

Even with numerous scriptural and other assurances, I still begged for this trial pass from me.

God answered.

Sometimes small things interfered with my church attendance, devotions, and prayer time. God knew I could do better. This was my Jonah, calling me back to a deeper relationship, asking me to realign my priorities. Nothing like a crisis to drop you to your knees. This time, I vowed to stay there and not allow the cares of this world to distract me from what I knew I should do.

Also, our faith through severe trials can lead others to God. For example, my husband, who is standoffish with prayer and faith, confessed he has been praying. Who knows who else God might draw back to Him if I allow my faith to be an example.

This reminded me of a story.

A man walked through a field of wildflowers reveling in the beauty of the blue sky and the carpet of bright colors. He was so enthralled in the beauty he failed to notice a cliff and walked off the edge. Halfway down, he caught a protruding root. After assessing his situation, he realized he was too far from the top to climb up and too far from the bottom to let go.

He called for his friends to help. No one heard, and no one came.

In desperation, he called out to God. “Save me!”

God answered. “Do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, with all my heart.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, Lord, with my very life.”

“Then let go.”

That part always stopped my heart. Could I let go? My mind said it was a win-win. God could save me from falling, or if I fell to my death, I’d be in Paradise with Him. Yet, the thought of letting go still terrified me.  

However, remembering His many promises, I relinquished the struggle, opening my heart and mind to His will. 


My small Calvary, will accomplish many things if I approach it with faith and trust.  As St. Paul so eloquently stated, “And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities in reproaches in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.” 2 Corinthians 12: 10-12.