“Lord...the one whom you love is sick.”
These were the words that found their way into my heart this morning as I was on my way to work…
This past week, one of my uncles has been in the hospital. It began as an infection in his elbow, which then brought about concern with his kidneys, and as of last night, has led to a heart attack that will result in open heart surgery the first part of next week.
My uncle is one of God’s soldiers. From a very young age I can remember him holding this position. Always being armed for battle, he has followed God’s calling to preach the Word to every single person he passes by.
He has five sons and two daughters, his daughters being one year older and one year younger than I am so I spent a lot of time over the years at their house.
I will never forget riding in a car with him on my way to my grandma’s house. If I had to wager a guess, I would say that I was somewhere between the years of 8-10. While meal and bedtime prayers were always said as well as evening devotional time with his family, he spoke one question to me in the car that day that really caught me off guard…
“Angie, are you saved?”
My initial (silent) reaction was, “What kind of crazy question is that?” I grew up in a church, never missing a Sunday, or so it seemed. I went through confirmation, memorized Bible verses, sang in the kids’ choir, went to the front of the church for the children’s messages, but to my recollection I had never been asked that question.
“Yeessss…????” I am pretty sure I said with hesitation.
He must have sensed the uncertainty in my answer and in the few brief moments that we had left in the car he was kind enough to further explain the question.
“Do you believe in Jesus? Have you asked Him to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior?”
Of course I believed in Jesus. But that last part? How can Jesus live in my heart?
And so began my journey of slowly beginning to understand what being a Christian was all about. It’s been a long journey that has taken me several years to completely understand. Several years that have included falling, failing, and while I never realized it at the time, running away…
Shortly after I had Nick was when I came to realize the depth of God’s forgiveness, His grace, mercy and love. All of which were …extremely undeserving for this little girl who had been consumed by sin for many years.
Yet I will never forget the seed that my uncle planted in my life nearly three decades ago. Knowing that he loved his niece so much that her salvation was of utmost importance to him.
Even more than that, the importance of complete strangers’ salvation has always held a top priority in his life. He has been ridiculed, I’m pretty sure he’s been cursed at over the years, and maybe even lost a few friends. But he’s done it all for one reason:
To help bring people into God’s eternal kingdom.
“Lord...the one whom you love is sick.”
In the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the sisters sent a message to Jesus with those simple words. Not knowing what the outcome of the illness would be, they had faith and knew that the only One they could place their trust in and turn the situation over to, was Jesus.
There is not a doubt in my mind that God has something planned for my uncle within these next several days. I know that He can heal him completely before the operation is scheduled, and He can take him to his eternal resting place this very instant. The selfishness of my being screams out healing. He has two new grandbabies and a few handfuls of older ones to tickle. He has two daughters and five sons that still need him. A beautiful, faithful wife…
…and a niece that isn’t quite ready to let him go either.
Lord…the one whom you love is sick. I thank You for placing him in my life. Thank You for the example he has been to me personally over the years. I know that You alone, can do all things. If Your Will is to heal, then it will be done. If it is Your time to bring him home to You, the purpose You had for his life has been complete. He has been Your faithful servant for many years and I am extremely thankful and blessed that You have chosen him to reach lost souls. He is Your child and in Your hands. I ask that You continue to be with him and his family during this time and always. Amen.
These were the words that found their way into my heart this morning as I was on my way to work…
This past week, one of my uncles has been in the hospital. It began as an infection in his elbow, which then brought about concern with his kidneys, and as of last night, has led to a heart attack that will result in open heart surgery the first part of next week.
My uncle is one of God’s soldiers. From a very young age I can remember him holding this position. Always being armed for battle, he has followed God’s calling to preach the Word to every single person he passes by.
He has five sons and two daughters, his daughters being one year older and one year younger than I am so I spent a lot of time over the years at their house.
I will never forget riding in a car with him on my way to my grandma’s house. If I had to wager a guess, I would say that I was somewhere between the years of 8-10. While meal and bedtime prayers were always said as well as evening devotional time with his family, he spoke one question to me in the car that day that really caught me off guard…
“Angie, are you saved?”
My initial (silent) reaction was, “What kind of crazy question is that?” I grew up in a church, never missing a Sunday, or so it seemed. I went through confirmation, memorized Bible verses, sang in the kids’ choir, went to the front of the church for the children’s messages, but to my recollection I had never been asked that question.
“Yeessss…????” I am pretty sure I said with hesitation.
He must have sensed the uncertainty in my answer and in the few brief moments that we had left in the car he was kind enough to further explain the question.
“Do you believe in Jesus? Have you asked Him to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior?”
Of course I believed in Jesus. But that last part? How can Jesus live in my heart?
And so began my journey of slowly beginning to understand what being a Christian was all about. It’s been a long journey that has taken me several years to completely understand. Several years that have included falling, failing, and while I never realized it at the time, running away…
Shortly after I had Nick was when I came to realize the depth of God’s forgiveness, His grace, mercy and love. All of which were …extremely undeserving for this little girl who had been consumed by sin for many years.
Yet I will never forget the seed that my uncle planted in my life nearly three decades ago. Knowing that he loved his niece so much that her salvation was of utmost importance to him.
Even more than that, the importance of complete strangers’ salvation has always held a top priority in his life. He has been ridiculed, I’m pretty sure he’s been cursed at over the years, and maybe even lost a few friends. But he’s done it all for one reason:
To help bring people into God’s eternal kingdom.
“Lord...the one whom you love is sick.”
In the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the sisters sent a message to Jesus with those simple words. Not knowing what the outcome of the illness would be, they had faith and knew that the only One they could place their trust in and turn the situation over to, was Jesus.
There is not a doubt in my mind that God has something planned for my uncle within these next several days. I know that He can heal him completely before the operation is scheduled, and He can take him to his eternal resting place this very instant. The selfishness of my being screams out healing. He has two new grandbabies and a few handfuls of older ones to tickle. He has two daughters and five sons that still need him. A beautiful, faithful wife…
…and a niece that isn’t quite ready to let him go either.
Lord…the one whom you love is sick. I thank You for placing him in my life. Thank You for the example he has been to me personally over the years. I know that You alone, can do all things. If Your Will is to heal, then it will be done. If it is Your time to bring him home to You, the purpose You had for his life has been complete. He has been Your faithful servant for many years and I am extremely thankful and blessed that You have chosen him to reach lost souls. He is Your child and in Your hands. I ask that You continue to be with him and his family during this time and always. Amen.
