
(Read Romans 8:38-39)
Today I'm overwhelmed by the love of God. Last night, I had a plan: deliver a couple pizzas to a family in need and leave. God's plan: So much more.
The man who gratefully accepted my take and bake pizzas invited me in for a few minutes. Since I know him(barely) and his wife(more), I stepped in. What a joy to see their two kids playing freely. I love little kids. Fun to see Hot Wheels all over the floor again. I hoped his wife would be home soon so I could hug her again. She wasn't.
Anyway, we started talking. He asked about my writing and speaking. Kind of him to remember. Then he told me more about his suffering(disease). As he described his daily prayers, worship and gratitude, I wept tears of joy. He used powerful imagery to explain his relationship with God. I told him I needed a recorder to capture it all. He spent most of his childhood in an orphanage in India.
This man of faith knows suffering. As a child, and now as a married man with two children. And he still chooses Jesus. What an amazing story of really living!
I still feel emotional this morning. Full of gratitude to see someone walking by faith no matter what comes his way. Outwardly, this man is losing his physical strength, but inwardly he is more alive than most people I know. He's not bitter. To him, little things like sunsets are big. He appreciates every day. He's thankful for his disability because he is able be with his kids during the day since he cannot work anymore. He thanks God for his disease because it brought him the deepest desire of his heart: intimacy with Him. His peace is something the watching world cannot explain. I'm undone by the beauty of all of this. I see life being lived to the full in a man with an incurable disease.
I see Jesus.
What a gift God gave me as I delivered a simple meal to a family in need. I left feeling like I had dined at the King's table. Stuffed and satisfied by God's love.
This morning I'm hungry for more. :) More of God's love!
May this serve as a sweet reminder that nothing, including disease or death, can separate you from God's love. Allow yourself to receive God's love more and more and watch how joyful your life becomes. Even in dying, living in Jesus is beautiful.
*****
(pic taken at a cemetery in Florida last month)
Please pray for this man and his precious family. No name given since they don't know I've written this. I may ask and tell them.













