Nearly fifty years ago, a single mother stared out the kitchen window of her parents’ house. As in many other days, she cried out to God to help her make sense of her life. Although she grew up in the church and valued her upbringing, some decisions she had made clearly were not in her favor.
Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. –Mark 11:22-25 (Amplified)
Nearly fifty years ago, a single mother stared out the kitchen window of her parents’ house. As in many other days, she cried out to God to help her make sense of her life. Although she grew up in the church and valued her upbringing, some decisions she had made clearly were not in her favor. She continually expressed her love to God and asked Him to lead her to brighter days where she would have the stability to stand strong and to move forward as a young woman and a mother.
It was the Vietnam War era and too many young men she knew had lost their lives. She prayed that if her true mate was in harm’s way, that he be blessed to return home safely to pursue a peaceful, fulfilling life.
As the years passed and God honored her many prayers of faith, she experienced successes in the workplace. She enjoyed an adequately comfortable lifestyle with her daughter in a family-friendly community environment. Her drive home from work each day was a celebration and a testament to how awesome God was that He blessed her to enjoy the country-in-the-city atmosphere that she had always wanted.
She was active in her church serving in several organizations. She made sure that as her daughter was growing up, she was surrounded by the love of the Christian faith.
There was a sense of stability in the young woman’s life but she felt alone. As she met and dated some of the men who expressed interest in her over the years, no one stood out as the answer to her prayers. She continued to pray for her true mate wherever he may be. Nearly ten years after her prayer sessions at the kitchen window, God sent her mate. He had been praying to find a woman who would be compatible as a wife to his ministry calling. He had served in Vietnam as a paramedic and he chose not to re-enlist as he had a vision that he would not return home if he did.
Today, my husband and I have been married almost forty years. We are blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The ministry to which he was called flowed over into my life so that God is using both of us in specific ministry areas. Each day of our lives offers opportunities to continue trusting God wholly and exercising our faith to believe as big as we can and over the top. We have every intention to continue sharing our testimonies and letting our lights shine so that others who are going through what looks like helpless and hopeless times in their lives will know that God truly hears and answers our prayers.
The walk of faith is a journey, a continual work in progress. To those of you who feel you don’t know which way to turn and in whom to place your confidence, please be encouraged. You were never expected to rely on your own ability to figure things out and to stand up to the challenges of life, so don’t give up. God, our Father, has made provisions (arrangements) for you. He knows where you are and what you’re going through – Psalm 139. He sees your tears, Knows the heaviness of your heart, and hears your cries for help. The Lord has extended an open invitation to you by His Son, Jesus Christ, to rest in His unconditional love, His mercies that are brand new every morning, and His grace, which is His unmerited favor. He promises that if you will place your unwavering faith in Him, He will never betray your trust or fail you. Beloved – Have Faith in God!
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. – Proverbs 3:5-7 (Amplified)