Hopefully you won’t mind if I just brag on Daddy-God a little bit. Things were so rough for so long and now that  there is a glimmer of hope along the way I feel it right only to share.

HOPE.

This is my second week at a new job. A job that is really quite remarkable.  I work for Children’s Champions, a non-profit that seeks federal funds for children who are struggling in school.  The remarkable thing, is that it just fell into my lap. After being out of consistent work for the last 7 months, unable to collect unemployment, and just like everyone else looking for a job, I got a call from a woman who directs the program asking if I would be interested in an Assistant Director position. To my chagrin I told her I would pray about it.  I had really believed that God wanted me to teach, so I was pursuing that avenue.  After door after door closing and facing massive frustration with every school that I subbed for, it finally dawned on me that God doesn’t want me to teach. Yes, it takes some of us quite a long time to get it.

Initially, I felt that I was losing something precious, but after the first week, the peace and calm that quieted my soul was so refreshing that I had to ask a friend if this is how most people live.  I was so used to living with such stress from the classroom, that it didn’t dawn on me that life didn’t have to be this way. But God knew better. This job is much better  suited for this fiery temperament. There is a pace that breathes peace here.  And I am able to help entire families, not just focus on FCAT results and academics.

My point is this: what I thought that I needed and what was good for me actually was creating undo stress in my life, and until I let go and stepped into something new, I had no idea that there was more out there.  And this more is happening in every area of my life.

For example, walking in the local grocers on Saturday. I was in a funk and frustrated with certain details of life, but instead of wallowing, I decided to make some cookies and then take them to a friend.  On the way to her house, I heard the Lord say go to the local grocery store, Ghetto Dixie. At least that’s what it’s called on my side of town.  On the way in, the Lord kind of highlighted this man in a wheel chair rolling around the corner, and I felt Him say “bring him some cookies…” so i did. Mind you, this stranger thought it some strange joke that a random girl offer him cookies, but after a little explanation he received them, and said “these are healing cookies…” After that, I was gripped. We talked for about an hour. He said that he had been in an accident over 30 years ago and had been in a wheelchair ever since. He was homeless, addicted to crack, and was looking for  hope.  All of the sudden, God just started pouring out massive amounts of love in my heart for this man, Willie.  He said that He wanted to heal his legs and that He was very proud of who he had become. That he is blessed and favored and even though the world doesn’t see him that way, God does.  He said that He was going to help him walk again.  The next thing that I know, the man reached under his wheelchair and pulled out a crack pipe and threw it into the street where a car ran after shortly thereafter. He was crying and saying that God sent me there, and I was in shock. I couldn’t believe that God would use me, a chick in a bad mood with cookies, to minister to this man.  I really kept feeling like God wanted to heal his legs, so I asked the man if he could walk…he said that he could with crutches, so with my help, he stood up and started moving his legs and feet all around. 100% painless. Usually he experienced some pain in his legs but had none at that point. Praise God.  After a few minutes he sat back down. We believe these are the beginning stages of healing….Lord, complete what you started so long ago in his life.

What overwhelmed me more than anything was the tremendous compassion that was flowing through me for this man.  He was so full of hope as we were talking. I just wanted to hug him and love him and let Jesus clear away all of the cobwebs. Willy B will forever be on my mind. God is believably good.

Two days later, I got a call from a family member saying that my uncle was admitted into ICU for an alcohol induced coma….they were not sure how long he would live.

NO. Death is not an option for a man only 60. Especially when it pertains to alcoholism.  So we prayed and believed God for healing and after spending some time with him, there was clarity in his eyes again.  He will beat this with the help of a lot of love.

Once again, prayer moved a mountain.

Miracles are popping up everywhere.

Our God is living and is a God of the Living, not the Dead. He said that we would manifest greater works than what Jesus did on the earth. So, I guess I am finally starting to believe Him and taking risks like praying for miracles. If it is happening in Redding, CA and in Mozambique, and in South America, and in Canada, then surely it can happen here in Jacksonville, FL. All it takes is a willingness to say Yes.

God, give us more miracles. Let your presence be so real that others can’t help but ask what that fragrance is that accompanies us. Jesus, make us more like You. Help us walk the way that You walk.

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