My twenty year old granddaughter, Maddie,
told me recently that she had prayed for the opportunity for
her to experience patience. She said that she knew she did
not have much patience. I though this was an interesting way
to pray. She did not ask for patience but for the
opportunity to experience patience. Actually, that is the
way God usually answers our prayers. How else could we
experience patience without having to practice it?
Well, her prayers were answered in a few
days. She had been invited to go to the beach with her
friend and her family. The day before they left for the
beach, her friend broke her ankle. They still went to the
beach. Maddie told us that while everyone else was going
out on the beach to lie in the sun and swim in the ocean,
she stayed behind with her friend to help her with her ankle
and to care for her. Maddie said, "At first, I wanted to be
out on the beach with the others; but, most of all I wanted
to help my friend. I thought how I had prayed for the
opportunity to learn patience and this is what I
did." For myself, I think God has taught me a
lot about patience and what is important. Bob has really
been very ill. He was in the hospital three times since May
28th and several other times for test. I had the privilege
of being with him at home for several weeks just taking care
of him. I missed being at church and doing ministry but
actually I was doing ministry in a different way. I have
felt blessed with the time we have had together. We have
talked, shared stories, visited with friends who came,
laughed, and sometimes cried together. These have been
precious moments to treasure. I have been given the
opportunity to practice some of the spiritual disciplines.
God is so good to us.. He is always in the midst of our
lives giving us his grace and mercy through learning
opportunities. It took some growing pains to get into the
new way of life. Learning doesn't always come easy because
there is change. But if we put our faith in God, He leads
us to higher elevation of elation. Bob and I want to thank all of you at
Centenary for your prayers, concerns, cards and visits. We
love you and feel truly blessed by all of you. It was good
to be back at church in your presence last week. Thank you
for giving Bob and I the time together we needed for
healing. Bob is doing much better but still has a long way
to go. Our thanks and appreciation are given to
Debbie Dale and Steve Wood for bring the morning messages
and to Walter Shaver and Barbara Combs for being liturgist
while I was away. God Bless All Of
You.
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