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Surrendered to Love

    by Jeannie Pallett

Missed March
Date Posted: April 3, 2012

My Liveasif.org column has had to take a back seat during the month March due to unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances that even now have me wondering, what lessons have I learned and what can I share with you the reader, that will bless your heart and encourage you through any difficult times you may have ahead of you.

One after another, with no time in between to catch our breaths, three things happened that have changed our lives and changed how we choose to live our lives.

It was in the midst of sheer happiness, that our little dog Shadow tore his second knee ligament. It has been two years since he had surgery on his right leg and we knew instantly what he had done. Just as instantly, my heart had a flash that God was giving me a glimpse into what it was like to be Him! The previous surgery had resulted in an excellent recovery so I knew the end from the beginning in this case. I had absolute peace knowing my Shadow would be just fine after another surgery. I was aware of being filled with a sense of preparation and strengthening...

However, little did we know that surgery would have to wait. In the wait time, Shadow got used to using only three legs and this prepared him for his current recuperation time.

The next two phone calls we were to receive totally rocked our world. The son in our family committed suicide and before we could breathe and take this in and sort it out, another call came to inform us that my husband had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. We were incredibly aware of the presence of our Lord and knew that He knew the end from the beginning and that He has good plans for our lives that He is going to fulfill. Our job is to trust Him as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that no harm will come to us. Could we have peace? Yes - only because of our faith and trust in the unchanging love and Word of God.

All of this has come at a time in life when as a couple we are experiencing desire to commit our lives even deeper to Jesus and look for ways we can serve Him and make a difference in our sphere of influence and beyond.

We had to believe and begin to speak words of faith and healing right away. Somehow, we had to deal with the shock of the death and diagnosis of cancer separately so we could endure the pain of both.

John's death, we chose to believe would result in repentance, restoration and reconciliation. We knew he was a hurting young man - a young man who my husband had grafted into his family when he was just a little boy. Over the eleven years my husband and I have been together, I saw that Bruce consistently showed him the love of the prodigal son's father. Even in John's worst times, Bruce had the ring, and robe and fatted calf ready for him - but John chose to stay in a world of darkness, ultimately the power of shame overcame him. My eyes have seen amazing love through my husband and I can easily imagine the love Jesus has for us when He grafted us into the family of God. No separation, no conditions, - just pure, powerful love that holds us close to the Father's heart.

We did see repentance as family members re-dedicated their hearts to Jesus during the time the family was together. Restoration in relationships occurred - once again, I have relationship with a precious granddaughter whose heart is turning towards Jesus as she receives healing for her pain. A deeper relationship is being fashioned with two stunning stepdaughters. Reconciliation too, was a precious gift and love flowed freely in the midst of tears.

Our decision to trust Jesus no matter what was firm and over the years, we have chosen to hide His Word in our heart. In our time of trouble, the Word of God has flowed out of us in words of faith and healing and we are adamant about speaking those words of life and faith. We have made a choice to refuse the feelings of fear that would like to direct our thinking processes.

If ever opportunity has come to stand in faith, it is now. We have gathered scripture verses and are actively speaking them to ourselves to encourage ourselves in the Lord when it seems the way is dark and unclear. The Lord reminded me that when we walk with Him there is no darkness for He is the Light and no power on earth can overcome His. The power of the blood of Jesus is at work in our lives and there is no power greater than that blood that covers our lives.

During those midnight hours, when sleep eludes me the most precious gift of all has been recognizing the Voice of my Good Shepherd. He is giving me songs in the night, scriptures that promise healing and my heart is learning to rejoice and join Him in the love songs He is singing over me. When morning comes, I feel a sense of strength and have a word of encouragement for my husband as he wakes to begin his day. I cannot imagine what the core of his heart is experiencing but from his lips, I hear words of faith, life and the promises of our God who keeps covenant with us.

The God who said in Exodus 23:25-26 "You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst. None shall be barren or miscarry." God keeps His Word, He keeps His covenant with His children and Bruce shall not be barren but shall bear much fruit, bring much glory to God as he carries the promises of God to fruition and declares the glory and goodness of his God in the land of the living. We declare that no weapon of sickness formed against us shall prosper and we believe the report of the Lord our God.

As children of God we are family, sons and daughters of the King of kings - never underestimate the power of the faith-filled prayers you pray for others and never, never underestimate the power of God's Word as you speak it forth so He can activate it in your life.

Stand strong in Him and in the power of His might. Stand firm in Him and when you tire, choose to stand some more and be strengthened by His grace so that you may experience the power of the sufficiency of the Almighty.

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Biography Information:
Who am I ? I am a woman who has been pursued by a God who passionately loves me; a woman who is learning to surrender her heart and mind to that great Lover of my soul. I am a woman who is learning to die to self in order that I might live the abundant life that God has planned for me. He has ignited in my heart a passion for writing as I spend time in His Presence and  to share the tender heart of my God through the words He gives me. I am the author of Beckoned by the King and less of me and more of Him can be found at http://Psalm119Greaterthangold.net
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