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TITLE: His Mysterious Ways: A Devotional By becca rooks 02/06/06 |
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John 14:1-3, 6,13-14, 18 (New American Standard)
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told
you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also…
6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the
Father, but through Me.’
13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in
the Son.”
14 ”If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
From Beyond the Grave…
It could have been a heart stopping moment. My little sister Sarah comes in the house from checking the mail with, while not a devastated look, but definitely an emotionally vulnerable one written clearly on her face. Somewhat worried, I ask her what's wrong. She shows me a letter we'd just received from one of our uncles on Mom's side.
The envelope he'd sent contained an additional letter not of his writing. It was a letter my mom had written to him in 1984!!! Before my sister Nessa had even been born, and Josh and I were still babies! Talk about HOLY COW!!! It was so unexpected to see her handwriting again, especially because it was in such great condition, it looked like it could have been written only a few weeks before. Plus, it was a look into her of a time before I remember; a woman I'd never had the chance to know. A woman with dreams and hopes, struggles and heartaches so similar to my own. I'd only ever known her as Mom.
At first, I was like, "why would he send us something like this?" open up old wounds and all that. Then I read it again, and looked real close at the writing, and thanked the Lord. Although she'd died before we'd had the chance to reach that level in our relationship, with the letter, I'd been given a small slice of what would have been. And it was nice, not heartbreaking. And even though I might not know her favorite flower, or food, or what she wanted to be when she was little, looking at her handwriting, I realized how much more real to me that was than those other things.
It embodied her so much more to me than her likes or dislikes (although I know a lot of her dislikes ;) that familiar, comforting penmanship is feminine, precise but relaxed, making itself open and easy to read, engendering a sweetness I've never before seen or associated before with pen strokes. I have to admit, I did tear up just a tad, but it was in a good, healthy kind of way. Mostly, it brought gladness to my heart.
When my mom died, I’d had a slight hang up with God. As far as I was concerned, He’d taken her away from me, and I wanted Him to give her back. Since I knew He wasn’t going to do that, I was very, very angry. Childish? Of course, but as I’ve come to accept, that’s exactly what I was; a child who’d just lost her mom. Three years later, though a great deal of healing had occurred, there was still un unconscious railing about and begging for my mom going on in my heart. This letter opened my eyes to this hidden aspect, as well as to another thing; He’d never taken her away in the first place, just brought her Home. She was still with me, here, in my heart and memory, in letters such as this and countless photographs, in the legacy of her children, and in her family that I’m just beginning to know. And I will see her again!
Related Scriptures: John 15:7, 10-11, Matthew 7:7
John 15:7, 10-11 (New American Standard)
7 “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be
done for you.”
10 “If you keep My commandments you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My
Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”
11 “These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may
be made full.”
Matt. 7:7 (New American Standard)
“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.”
“Lord, thank you for the healing you’ve worked in my life, and for the burgeoning knowledge and sight that You are giving me. I pray that others experiencing grief will come to know You as I have, and so much more, receive the measure of comfort You’ve given me, seven times seven times seven. If these words can be instrumental in any way, I ask that you empower them with your love and grace. Amen.”
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