The Master of Unexpected Mercies

Image by tao cui from Pixabay 

I woke up at 3 am with desperate prayers on my lips. I prayed for Afghanistan, for persecuted Christians, for our country and our churches, and for the many victims of Covid-19. It has claimed and changed so many lives.

Jesus told us not to be anxious about anything, but it is hard not to be fearful for those in harm’s way, or not to feel deep sorrow over the loss of a loved one.

How to juggle all this with a loving God? I have no doubt He cares, yet I can’t seem to help being overwhelmed by all that’s going on.

Realizing my early morning wake up was the prompting of the Holy Spirit us to pray, I quite fretting over some lost sleep. Durning my prayers and devotions, another point came to mind.

God is the master of unexpected mercies. When it seems there is no way through a difficulty, He finds a way. We need to watch closely for His next miracle. It might even be today.

Those words reminded me again that being anxious serves no purpose except to keep me in a constant state of turmoil. 

Dear Lord, I pray for unexpected mercies for those in desperate need. Amen.

A Category Five Storm

 

For several months, I had the odd feeling something was looming on the horizon, something big enough to upset my husband's and my idyllic life. I reorganized my priorities, spending more time appreciating everything in my life, especially our home and the company of my husband. I did not let a single opportunity pass by to tell him how much I loved him, to give him a hug, or hold his hand.

Then, the storm hit.

Two weeks ago, my husband was diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia and taken by ambulance from his doctor’s office to the hospital, . He’s 76 with some underlying health issues, not the best scenario for recovery.

As I watched the ambulance pull away, I wondered if I’d ever see him again? Would I be a widow for the third time?

I prayed, “I trust in you, Lord. Your will be done.”

Still, I collapsed into sobs when I got home, falling prey to worry, anxiety, and fear.

The next morning, I received a notification on my phone for a video from The God Minute. That has never happened since I got my android phone in June.

I took the title literally, “All will be well.” 

When I looked at the date of the video, my skin tingled. It originally recorded on the 19^th , but I didn’t receive the notification until the 22^nd, the day after my husband was admitted to the hospital.

He never went on a respirator. His symptoms plateaued within five days, faster than his doctors expected. He spent only nine days in the hospital, coming home last Thursday, relatively symptom free. He’s still on supplemental oxygen, but only 1 liter, the smallest setting. His doctor doesn’t think he will need that for very long.

I am so thankful God is so merciful, compassionate, and good, and I am trying not to feel guilty that He spared my husband’s life when He didn’t so many others.

As if answer to this, the next morning during my devotions, my bible fell open to the Book of Tobias, the scripture God used to promise me I’d grow old with this husband.

Oh, Lord, I do believe, but help my unbelief when I am weak. As St. Paul said, it is through our weakness God’s makes us strong. Amen.