“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” Matthew 12:50 (NIV)
I have often wondered why friends of mine and I have to go through difficult times. Some have faced great loss of loved ones, extended periods of unemployment, lengthy illnesses, or prolonged times of depression.
A family recently lost a son/brother. This was the second loss of a child for the parents. They buried him on a Saturday and came to worship service the next day. Their presence was a testimony that spoke to each of the others present that day. God used them to set an example for us.
One couple I know went through two years of unemployment, both losing their jobs. During this time, they lost their home. They were able to find another house that happened to be near the job he would get. He spoke on Laity Sunday and told the church he made a decision to stay close to God during this ordeal. They and their two children are blessings to all who know them. During this time, God taught us about who we are and about who He is.
Our pastor’s wife lost a co-worker to domestic violence. The young woman had chosen to turn her life around. My friend shared with this co-worker about a way to get free eyeglasses online. The young woman needed to submit a picture of her self. My friend took one with her digital camera. When she heard of the young woman’s demise, she felt she had to get two copies of that picture, framing one of them.
At work on Monday, the owner of the company called a meeting of the employees; he placed the framed picture on a table in front of the people and gave an evangelistic message. “Get right with God; we don’t ever know how much time we have.”
The young woman’s grandmother came in to get her personal items, saw the picture, and said she didn’t have one of the now departed granddaughter. My friend handed her the second copy and said, “Here, I made two.” That picture made its way to the funeral home, who used it in the obituary; at least one of the television channels used it on a newscast.
As our pastor and his wife were at a family reunion very recently, he told the story. One of his cousins googled the young woman’s name to discover that the young woman’s picture, a victim of a horrendous act of domestic violence, had made its way onto the Internet. God used this Christian woman’s efforts to comfort the grieving family and to assist the world to know how horrible domestic violence is.
We never know when or how we will be used by the Father. As His children, we need to be open to God’s leading. I remember the hymn, “Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow”. This song speaks to me about trust and faith.
I have a couple of friends who share their “God sightings” with me. The latest one was the lady was sitting in the church parking lot waiting for a meeting to start. She had a problem she was dealing with. She looked out her car window and saw a doe walk across the parking lot. This story gave me peace about an issue I had.
God uses His children in spite of their less than ideal circumstances. It is during these times that He moulds us into what He wants us to become. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because that testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)
Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.