This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us REJOICE and BE GLAD in it! Psalm 118:24
Are you paying attention?
The synergy that stuns me again and again, calling me to proclaim praise for Divine Providence through my pen, is how God innovates in and through us, all the while we think we’re making our own moves. And we are. Yet He does. And in doing so, He accomplishes myriads of miracles in each mundane day.
So… I’d ‘ave said it was my idea to reach out to a friend today. But now I know it’d not be true, not completely. She’s been on my mind a while, but today was the day to send a text. God knew she needed timely encouragement. I assumed she was working, and we’d set a date.
It surprised me when she accepted the offer…today. Though sooner than I’d expected, my afternoon was open. The plan was set.
I worked on TheJoyWeaverCommunity writing projects as the time of our rendezvous approached. While the mission of encouraging, strengthening, and comforting believers drives the pen, the real power is in one-on-one fellowship. I’m continually asking God to help me balance both.
Upon her arrival, I noted her typical physical distress. Yet the goal of catching up diverted our attention for quite a while. There was much to talk about.
Entering as a guest, she treaded lightly at first, “Water’s good.”
As chatter charmed the air, my offer to make coffee was accepted. Soon, the fresh brewed scent wafted enticingly throughout our conversation. One cup. Delicious! How about a second cup? Sure!
Stories. Questions. Heart to heart exchanges. Then a surprise.
She asked me, “Did you know I died once?”
Sure didn’t!! I was eager to hear this testimony.
She had experienced life, after death by pneumonia, in a hospital far, far away! No family. A few kind people. A language she did not understand.
In the wake of a miraculous resuscitation, she had coughed up water when the endotracheal tube was withdrawn. She heard the doctor ask if she was OK. Uh, she was discombobulated, drawing labored breath in the land of the living.
And something strange was happening. The water she coughed up seemed to flow incessantly, surrounding the hospital bed, filling the room like an ocean! There were other fantastic memorable scenes as the meds wore off…at last.
Praise the Lord, she made it Home.
But from that time on, her lungs have never been the same. It’s rough.
Today, over coffee, as consecrated souls, she was weary, willing for heaven. I surely have those seasons, too. We talked of the struggle and went to prayer.
I prayed for healing, strength, and comfort. I asked God to surround her with Himself. I prayed for affirmation of her purpose and assurance of her place in this world as important and necessary. I asked God to bless her and protect her. I asked Him to provide for her every need and bless her service to Him.
When it was her turn to pray, it was obvious she’d taken note of my author computer, the piles of papers, and many handwritten scribbles scattered across the table top. She asked God to bless my writing endeavors, to fill me with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in expressing myself, and to be with me in isolation, where writers often are while composing their craft.
IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN
Her words had been heaven sent – the very breath of God. She’d made me cry!
Reveling in the encouragement of the afternoon, I said her prayer had been prophetic (1 Corinthians 14:3), as if Jesus had been speaking right to me.
She loves prayer. She ministers through prayer. She’s an anointed prayer warrior in the kingdom of God. She’s a blessing to many for whom she prays!
She reflected aloud about how she never has to reach for what to say because the words just come naturally – God-given. People tell her often that she prays just the right things.
I added, “…like streams of living water.” (John 7:38-39)
I continued, “You are gifted with words of wisdom and words of knowledge by the Holy Spirit! These spiritual gifts are spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.”
Serendipitously, a fresh breath of revelation suddenly revived her. We both saw in that moment how the hospital “hallucination,” of water flowing out her mouth into an ocean, had been like a prophetic vision! Though her breathing is often a struggle, her prayers never are! They come out like living water, creating oceans of God’s love surrounding everyone she prays for!
As our time came to a close with echoes of gratitude, there was JOY in place of her weariness and a cheery solace in my sails as well. God had orchestrated His plans today without fanfare. He’d sheltered her in His healing hope. He’d cheered me on to keep afloat.
Imagine all the gifts God distributes each day. Imagine all the good He will send your way. Imagine how our lives are a part of it, to reach a heart, to spur on a fresh start.
In the Family of God we are continually giving and receiving ~ Streams of Living Water into Oceans of Love.
The miraculous in the mundane.
Pay attention. Your turn’s comin’.