reflections – GREENLiGHT

Dad’s Fervent Prayer

Tonight I heard him coughing and went to give him cough drops candy.

When I went over to him, he was busy praying quietly but through loud whispers. You could hear the genuine prayer. Eyes closed tightly oblivious to me even being there. He always told me that he prays but I never believed the fervency.

I went and sat on on the bench in the room until his voice finally faded into amen.

Inaudible, I Couldn’t hear what he was saying but I was taken aback by his earnest prayer for us, as family and children.

This moment brought me to reflective tears. A time of truth. A time of emotion.

Trust God. Praise Him for unplanned enlightening experiences because there are no coincidences.

Blessings overflow.

I Don’t Forgive Him…

I don’t forgive him. I don’t forgive the justice system. I believe it failed me.

This retort after a drunk driver recklessly crashed and hit a bystander. A man, a father, a husband, a friend who was innocently standing nearby.

Years later… after the court ruling… his surviving wife was angry when the guilty driver was released with a few simple charges for his actions.

It’s Hard

It’s hard to accept. It’s like the drunk driver walked away with a slap on the wrist while his family has been forced to go on and live life without him.

Forgive? Why?

Is it necessary to forgive under such circumstances? Did the court ‘fail’ the family? Could the husband and father have been standing somewhere else on that fateful day? So many questions. All remain unanswered.

But why forgive? Because it Frees. But only if you allow it. Personally, my own brother suffered such fate, leaving his son to grow up without him. But lets allow God do His thing. And if He doesn’t (as far as the naked eye can see), you can be assured that we are all held accountable for our actions…in one way or another.

Healing takes time.

Blessings.

Jacob Was Afraid. But God Had A Plan…

Jacob was Afraid to Go…but God had a plan.

I love Joseph! His brothers were mean to him. They sold him as a slave. But God had a plan. My focus was always on Joseph and how he loved and trusted the Lord. It meant everything to me throughout my life. Then a bible study that I attended opened my eyes to Jacob—Joseph’s dad; the mean guy. Jacob the deceiver. I actually disliked him most of my life. Why? He deceived his father and brother Esau in getting his birthright.

But later in life when he was old and grey, he longed for his son Joseph who he thought had died because his other sons had told him so.

Then, when the Lord finally opened the doors for Joseph, and he was in charge in Egypt, Jacob was asked to visit. But he was afraid. He didn’t want to lose his youngest son.

I never thought much about Jacob, who was a deceiver in his early life, yet was himself deceived by his father-in-law years later. He had to work 14 years to get Joseph’s mom, Rachel. No wonder he loved Joseph so much.

The point is, Jacob was afraid to go to Egypt because he could not see the future. Yet, God had a plan! When he finally gave in and went, he not only received back his youngest son, Benjamin; he also received back to life, his other son Joseph! Oh, how the Lord works if we only trust Him!

I walked away from that study thinking of how scared I am at times because I cannot see what’s around the corner. I can’t see what lies ahead. But through Jacob’s experience, my mind has been rekindled to trust the Lord who holds the future.

When you can’t see, obey and trust Him. He will work it out. Find out more about GreenLight: When God Says Go

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:11)

When God Says No…

My grace is sufficient for you

How many times have we asked the lord for something and he said no? Im sure there are many times.

Personally, as a child my dream was always to become a nurse as I love taking care of others. For some reason my path turned and I ended up in banking which (through my responsibilities), wet my appetite for the Human Resource role. I transitioned into pharmaceuticals, then more direct healthcare managing several medical clinics. As I reflect, his purpose was to place me in an area where I was more able to affect patient care through pharmaceuticals and clinical care through other healthcare professionals.

On the other hand, Cancer took my mom, grandma, and sister from our family despite our prayers for healing. Though I miss them terribly, his response was to provide them with spiritual healing from the wear and tear on their bodies. I couldn’t be selfish in wanting them around me much longer.

So remember, sometimes God says yes. Other times he says no. The important thing we can do is to trust him. His plan is always best for you.

Take some time this season to reflect on the path he has taken you through. He has given you the GreenLight.

Blessings overflow.