As I go about compiling this week’s prayer lists for the blog, I’m reminded of the different ways Our Heavenly Father has blessed me thus farthis week..
Rejoice always; pray without; in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
It’s been a eventful week so far..
First, I get an email from the mother of a dear old friend.. its filled with words of kindness and encouragement. There’s been some small doubts in my mind and I’d been feeling a little discouraged by the events around me. But her words seem so opportune, full of encouragement and kindness and I am motivated by those words to do more for Him. Thank you Lord for her timely words of encouragement.
Next, the weekend arrived and I had to take to the stage to share my testimony as part of the Alpha presentation. Despite having spoken publicly before, I was feeling a little nervous about talking about something that personal in my life in front of so many people. Butterflies are aflutter and I’m getting a little bit more nervous as the minutes and seconds tick closer to the actual moment. And yet, as I step into the bright lights and pick up the microphone, those fears seem to melt away and I actually forget about feeling nervous. I only hope that by sharing my Alpha story that more people are moved to attend the Alpha Course to find out more about Him themselves. I give thanks to God for answering silent prayers and the opportunity to share His love and sacrifice for me with others.
Sunday evening arrives and the family sits down to a rare moment of togetherness over dinner. Almost immediately after dinner, my eyes start itching and watering. I recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction but choose to ignore it as a minor irritation. The hours pass.. my eyes start puffing up and my nasal tracts are a little clogged. At one point, the eyes are almost swollen shut and i give myself a scare when i peer into the mirror.. the whites are bulging and my eyeballs look like a balloon being squeezed and that is about to pop.
We rush off to the hospital where the doctors and nurses go about strapping various equipment onto me and sticking me with needles to get medicines into me to stop the reaction before it gets many more serious. Three hours later, the reaction has started to subside and the doctors have decided that they’ve had enough fun prodding, probing and peering, i stagger out of the observation ward and proceed home in the middle of the night.
Lena had been “advising” me to take a break but I’d been reluctant to do so because of the things that were happening at work. The list of to-dos at home seemed to be growing on its own as I watched my schedule for the week fill up without me actually putting anything in. It seems too coincidental that i am now forced to rest for the exact number of days that Lena has been telling me to take leave for. Thank you God for making me slow down and taking the time to rest.
A children’s song keeps popping into my mind as i write this..
In everything give thanks,
for this is the Will of God (3x)..
in Christ Jesus, the Crucified.
Indeed, He has blessed me in numerous ways and I give thanks for all the things that have happened. Despite all the adversities we face and the burdens we bear, all we need do is give thanks to Him for the guidance and help He is surely providing to us in these times and turn these burdens and problems over to Him.
- adrian t
