DEVOTIONAL
Philippians 4:6 |
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
For the past little while, I know the devotionals have been filled with stories about my mother. If you will indulge me one more time, I would appreciate being able to tie this in with today’s verse.
This was the day of her funeral, November 17, 2005. (Just now I looked up in the “subject” line of the e mail where I had put “November 18 devotional”, even subliminally I did not want it to be the 17th anymore).
The most vivid memories of the night of the 13th, was my sister calling me at almost midnight. We had just gotten back to South Carolina from Alabama and the five of us (Jonathan, Brittney, Courtney, Charles and I), were piled up on the couch, exhausted from a physically and emotionally draining visit with her. She wasn’t feeling well (which was something my mother never said.. she just did not complain) and she was sad (I think in her heart, she knew that she was leaving us).
“Mom stopped breathing, but she is now,” my sister said. ” I’ll call you back.”
A short while later there was another call, “Her heart stopped but they got it going again.”
All I could do was pray, “Your will be done, Lord. You know I do not want to lose her, but Your will be done.”
It was not long after that, my sister called once more with the news that she was gone. For an instant, I thought to myself, “Why did you pray THAT?” She was my mom, my mentor, my prayer warrior, my best friend! Then my heart was settled and my spirit was quieted while the Lord ministered to me as though to say, “For one, Katherine is MINE. Take comfort, she’s come home. She is with Me now”. I never before nor since, felt such peace.
The point I am trying to make, going the long way around, is let our prayers and supplications be for His will to be done. Let all we have, everything we do, all our experiences, glorify the Lord.
Through the most tremendous joys and praise through the darkest hours of pain, “Your will be done”. I can only face each day because I believe in the Lord. I know that my eternity is in His hands. Praise the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow!
PRAYER
Gracious and forgiving Lord
Thank You for loving us
Thank You for understanding the fearfulness that comes with praying Your will in any situation
Father, it is a matter of trust in You
We know that You have only the best for us
Yet we find it a challenge
And tend to forget that when issues arise
That truly put our faith to the test
Lord, when we pray for Your will
Please give us what we need to accept the answer to that prayer
It may not be the result we hope for or expected
We may be disappointed or disillusioned by the answer
But, Father, knowing that You are in control
Let us find peace and resolve in that
To You, O God
Be all honor and glory and praise
Forever and ever
Through the blood of Christ
AMEN
SONGS:
Silent Night
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Because He Lives
