So my sister may actually come to live with me in Tampa! I can't believe how just yesterday she called me in tears, despairing about how her life was once again falling apart, but today there is hope and excitement for the possibility of a completely new and different life. I am truly amazed at how magnificently God unfolds the events in our lives. I did not know that the painfully long conversation which ended with a glimmer of hope yesterday would transform into something so wonderful and optimistic tonight. God is incredible. He is 1000x more good than I would give Him credit for. I remember throwing out the idea for her to come live down here with me and my heart just rising up inside, full of hopeful possibility. And her answer of, "I don't know... I wouldn't want to be a burden for you." I couldn't stop thinking about and recognizing just how spiritual our conversation was. Her yearnings, fears, doubts, questions. They all surfaced. I was blown away by her eager openness, vulnerability, honesty and humility. Her longing to be loved and cared for, to be wrapped in protective arms and reassured that everything would be okay. I knew she was really asking for God to fill that hole of emptiness inside. To take away her pain, despair, loneliness and fear. I am glad that He opened this door for me to share Jesus with her again. It is so interesting how God answers prayers, especially when you do not expect it. I had prayed the other night for my older brother, crying about what has happened to him recently, and praying for God to somehow bring my family closer to me... specifically in the sense that they become closer to my heart. I often struggle with truly loving and caring for people from my heart. I know that it is there that God must repeatedly fill me up with His love and compassion. I think it is the #5 in me, the detaching and coping un-emotional side. But something woke up in me yesterday and again tonight. It's like I have renewed feelilng there... the kind that sensitively feels the pain of others and takes great concern over them. I rejoice over the fact that he has brought us closer together even as I grieve over the way it has had to come. I'm thrilled at the willingness she has to move here and trust that things will work out somehow. I feel as though God is preparing us for something new and amazing, and I cannot wait to see what it will all look like. I'm glad for the opportunity to have her attend Jesus Encounter at the end of the month and am awed even now at what could transpire there. God is awesome! He has made a wonderful little city here, with a church and community that I feel would embrace my broken-hearted sister and wrap her in the arms of love she so desperately desires. My prayer is that Jesus himself would profoundly touch her heart and open it to saving faith through Him. I am reminded of my own long journey and it gives me sustained hope for her as well. She is a beautiful and precious gift to me, and I truly praise God for her. Lord, would you continue to give me the right words to speak and the softened heart to love. Would your Spirit rest upon me and fill me up to do your will. May your kingdom come and expand, as you gently call your lost sheep home and warmly embrace each prodigal son that returns to You. Praise and glory be to your name forever and ever. Amen.
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:44
1 comment:
Amen!
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