The Time He Pulled Me Over

"Oh no ... not again!" For the third Sunday in a row, right in the middle of the message, I felt the overwhelming urge to stand. There was no reason I knew of – it seemed quite insane actually.  Each time, I thought it could be the Holy Spirit, but instead concluded it was insanity, and refused. This time, a wave of trembling heat flowed through my body. My heart raced – pounded. I wondered if people next to me could hear the thumping of my terrified heart. “No! Not now! Not here!” I silently argued. “Everyone would see! And what then? Just stand there like an idiot for no reason? I’ll disrupt the service, interrupt, distract everyone … no. It’s rude and crazy and I’m not doing it!” That was the third and final time I refused. After the service, I knew in my heart it had been the Holy Spirit, and I had refused Him.

The next day I began to apologize to God for disobeying, but before I knew it I was making excuses.

"I’m sorry … but I really didn’t see the point. What was the reason? What was I supposed to say? I would have looked like an idiot! A complete fool!” Gently, Jesus spoke to my heart, “I was a fool for you.”

Tears fell. Suddenly it didn’t matter at all what anyone thought. Now what I’d been asked to do seemed tiny – miniscule – atom size.

Two weeks later, each Sunday passed without the ‘urge’. My chance had passed.

One evening, driving alone in my car, I prayed. “Lord, I’m so sorry I disobeyed. Please give me another opportunity to obey you. Please don’t give up on me. I’ll obey!  … well, I mean … I’ll try. I really want to obey. Please give me another chance.” Almost instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “Okay, stop the car.”

My heart jumped, and I pulled into the next driveway. It happened to be a local park. Our silent conversation went something like,

“Okay, now what?”

“Get out of the car.”  I got out and stood on the grass.

“What do you see?” I saw children on swings with dads pushing them, I saw people going for walks. I saw grass, trees and sky.

“I don’t get it.”  There were no other words. I just stood in silence, waiting. I was drawn toward the ditch, so walked over. I stood there in the long, lush grass and watched a small stream of water that was so still it looked like glass. It reflected trees and sky. Suddenly it hit me – Psalm 23. My God had just led me to still waters and green pasture!

 I recited what I knew of the psalm quietly to myself as tears streamed. “The Lord is my Shepherd … He leads me by still waters and green pastures…. He restores my soul.”

“...He restores my soul.”

That day I received a promise from my Jesus. Even though I fail, disobey, and fear others more than God, He restores my soul.  

With that hearty dose of grace, I drove home ready to obey – ready to serve wholeheartedly the One who loves me so much despite what I do. (or don't do) 

What an awesome God.

(interesting side note: a few weeks later, the City dug out and paved the bottom of that ditch. Everything in God's timing...) 

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Fingertips

As I strummed a few chords tonight, I smiled. It's amazing how much sound can come from 6 little strings. A little while later, I noticed my fingertips are getting dry. Then I remembered that amazing event about 2-3 years ago...

For two years my fingertips cracked and bled. Helping my two babies with .. anything - was painful. Washing dishes, cleaning, peeling potatoes, stirring soup, typing, tickling my children - EVERYTHING HURT. Deep crevices marred my skin. I didn't have fingerprints anymore - just cracks. Seriously. Lotions, potions and creams did nothing. Even the dermatologist had only cream to give me ... and advice to wash my hands less often. With two babies in diapers, that was not an option. It became normal to cake my fingertips with lotion and sleep with gloves on. Attractive...

Then one day it occurred to me that I have a personal relationship with the Almighty God - the Healer, and I never even asked Him to help me. Not once. Wow. Quite an oversight...

As I sat preparing to ask God for healing, I wrestled with faith - do I actually believe He can? Sounds simple, and if it were someone else's fingers that had bled for 2 years, I would have said 'duh! Of course the God of the universe can heal your little fingers - which He made by the way...'  But these were my fingers. This was my faith.

I don't remember how long I wrestled with it, but I finally asked.  "God, thank you that you are in control. You made my hands and can heal them if you choose to. Lord, I ask that you would heal them. But if it's not in your plan to heal my hands, I know you have a reason. Please help me to glorify you through the pain."  And I left it there, not thinking about it again.

Days later, I realized I hadn't had pain for awhile. I inspected my fingertips and found them to be completely restored! I had fingerprints - normal, healthy fingertips! No cracks, no scars (which I was sure I would have if they ever did heal), no callous, just perfect healthy hands. Amazing.

Days like today, when I feel what guitar strumming does to my fingers, I'm especially grateful. I am blessed and privileged to tickle my kids, play piano, strum a guitar, and type on this keyboard. Each of these would be excruciating today if God had not healed me.

Sometimes I forget - I take for granted the lack of pain. But, today my little guitar callous reminds me and I'm thankful.

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God and My Son - Healing Finger

“Mommy” he says, extending his pinkie finger to my face. “My finger has a owie” Kneeling, I inspect his scabbed knuckle. “Yes you do.” I confirm.

“Yeah. I scraped it on the side of your house when I was riding my bike.”

“Yes you did” I smirk while inspecting the scab.

“Oh good! It’s healing. Your body’s healing itself.” My words trail off as I wonder if I should be giving credit to his body or to God who heals and who makes bodies to heal.

“God is healing my finger.” He corrects. I grin. 

God is definatly active in this boy, in my heart, in this room. 

The Dog Miracle

Have you ever experienced a miracle? 


Just incase... google describes a miracle as: "A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is considered to be divine." I know. I'm just as surprised as you. 


I do have a few miracle stories, like healing, or the time God pulled me over.


And I love sharing this one, especially with children. It's the story of my first: 'The Dog Miracle'. (If you're noticing this is a repost, I welcome your feedback on the new format.)


Our bikes rattle on the dusty road. We chat and giggle about school and boys. Jill had biked over after school to study. Now, time for her to go home, we ride together.

Then we hear it. Bearing teeth and growling, the neighbor’s terrier eyes us like tasty morsels. We stop at the side of the road. He barks as though he won’t stop. He’s poised to pounce, waiting for us to approach. 

... do dogs eat people?

“What now?!” Jill asks. My heart jumps into my throat. We need to get by. We could bike around the section I suppose, but it’s 3 extra miles of biking. It’ll be dark soon.

“I don’t know.” I sigh. “Let’s ask God.” The terrier continues to bark, slobber sprays the gravel.

“Okay.”

Straddling our bikes, we bow our heads. “God,” I pray “You know we need to get by, and we can’t. Can you help us? Maybe … kill the dog or something? Or just make him go away? Please help us.”

The second I open my eyes, the dog becomes silent. He looks at us, turns and runs to the house. Motionless, he watches us without a sound.

Our mouths drop. Jill and I look at each other and grin. Wordless, we mount our bikes and slowly pedal past. We eye the dog. He watches us. He doesn’t even twitch.

“That was cool!” she whispers.

“Awesome!” I whisper back. 

I love watching kids' mouths gape open as they listen, riveted. I love imparting to them how awesome and powerful and present God really is.


It's vital to first recognize, then share what God has done in our lives. Remembrance beats back complacency, awakens faith, and stands as a firm witness to the glory and power of our great God. (Luke 8:38,39)


I encourage you to recognize, then share what God has done. Share it here, with your friends... wherever.