Welcome, Paula.
You can connect with Paula through her blog, www.paulamowery.blogspot.com, where other social media links are provided.
Holding Steadfast With A Prayer
My husband is a pastor, so I am used to phone calls at all hours of the day and night. However, I wasn’t prepared for the call he received one Sunday afternoon as we were eating lunch.
I thought the voice I could barely hear on the other end was my brother which was confirmed when my husband ended the cell phone call. He informed me that my father had suddenly been unable to speak right after their church’s worship service. He actually drove he and my mother home, not stopping for their normal restaurant lunch.
When my mother questioned my father and found him unresponsive, she called my brother who advised her to rush him to the nearest ER and he would meet them there.
I stayed home from church that evening awaiting word. I live an hour away from my parents but prepared to rush down if I was needed, but I held off. After praying for God to take care of my dad, I had a peace about waiting.
Within two hours, my dad’s speech began to return. He was kept overnight and tests were run. The verdict was a bloodclot went directly to that speech center in the back of the brain. He had no lasting effects.
Later that evening my dad talked with me on the phone. He described how strange it was to not be able to speak but be fully cognizant of what others were saying. He knew how he wanted to respond but just couldn’t vocalize it.
I have often told others that I don’t know how unbelievers get through difficult or scary situations like this. I truly don’t. But, I knew that my prayers for my father were heard and just as effective whether an hour away or in the same room. Prayer allowed me to have a peace in Who was in control no matter the outcome.
Now don’t get me wrong, I've had to build on my trust in God. But, He has always proved faithful. That is not to say that in every bad situation everything has turned out fine. Sometimes I’ve had to trust Him to bring a person through surgery, recovery, or even chemotherapy. Yet, He has never left me. I've always felt Him near, comforting and encouraging.
The Psalmist tells us in the 23rd Psalm that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us. What does this show me? There’s going to be dark times we must endure. But, did you notice it is a shadow? I love this imagery. When was the last time a shadow did you any harm? We can get through because God has promised His presence and the Psalmist plainly states that we walk through. There’s no camping out in that dark valley. God sees us through to the other side.
My dad is just fine and back to all of his normal activities which means I have another responsibility. Time to praise and thank God for bringing us through that short valley and for teaching me more about trusting Him.
What a beautiful perspective. We really don't have to fear the shadows. Thank you, Paula.
Legacy and Love
Free to one of you!
The Prayer Shawl
Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?
Inheritance
Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.
Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.
Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?
If you'd like a chance to win a copy of Legacy and Love just leave a comment and your email address so we can contact you. I'll draw the winner's name next Wednesday.
Last week's winner of On the Threshold is ... Shannon. Congratulations!
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
