God’s Lovingkindness

Throughout my pregnancy I read the Psalms. I noticed God’s lovingkindness mentioned over and over again. On October 5, 1987, I delivered a baby boy. We named him Jonathan because we knew he was a gift from God.

When he was 3 days old we learned he was dangerously sick with Strep B. My constant thought and prayer was simple: “God, you’ve been telling me that nothing happens outside of your lovingkindness. I trust you.”

Our pastor visited and asked, “How can you be so peaceful?
I answered, “I am trusting in the lovingkindness of God.”

P.S. God completely healed Jonathan. We are so grateful! He is a very good gift from God.

Praying for a Prodigal?

You should know this about God: “God does not just sweep life away; instead he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him (2 Samuel 14:14).”

One young man came back when he “became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him (Luke 15:16).”

Ask the Lord to devise a way to bring your loved one back.

Suffering Won’t Last Forever

When God allows you to walk through season of suffering let yourself remember the end of our story, which is really the beginning.

“God himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever (Revelation 21:3-4).

For Friends Who Suffer

“Three times Paul begged the Lord to take the tormenting thorn away (from 2 Corinthians 12:8).”

Can you see yourself doing the same thing? Pleading, begging for release from sorrow or suffering. Can you see God bending down to listen? Can you hear him saying to you, “My grace is all you need. My grace is sufficient for you. My grace is enough. My power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT, ESV, MSG).”

A Throne of Grace

Paul approached God’s throne, and the Lord answered “My grace is all you need (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).”

Eleven years later, Paul, or someone who knew his story, wrote this, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).”

God’s throne is a throne of grace because that’s what we can be certain God will give when we pray.

Suffering Can Bring Hope

Paul asked, but the Lord did not relieve his suffering.

Some time later Paul wrote this, “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later (Romans 8:18).”

Through suffering Paul learned hope.

R.G. LeTourneau’s Prayer

Deeply worried, LeTourneau prayed, “Don’t let me down now, Lord. I’ve got all this work, and if you let me down, I’m ruined.”

Right then he saw his mistake and hastened to say, “Lord, I didn’t mean that. I’m not asking You not to let me down. I’m asking you to help me not let you down. I’m not asking to use You. I’m asking you to use me.”*

*R.G. LeTourneau, Mover of Men and Mountains, p. 158.

**We’re reading this book because two of our nieces are students at LeTourneau University, which was founded by R.G. LeTourneau.

God’s Better Answer

Weakened by an affliction, Paul pleaded for release from pain. God did not take his pain away. He offered something better. His own grace and power.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).”

When Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

If you are saved* you do not need to be afraid to die.

Walking through the valley of the shadow of death with the Good Shepherd is part of everyone’s life journey. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4).

*For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

A Grandmother’s Joy

Mine.

God has given me ten grandchildren;
six granddaughters and four grandsons
I love them so.

Each one a priceless treasure
A blessing, a gift
I am grateful.

My greatest hope
And constant prayer

Is for all my grandchildren
To know unending, steadfast, perfect love.

God’s.

We are eagerly awaiting the birth of our eleventh grandchild sometime this fall.