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I saw God and it was good.
- May 4, 2009 at 7:08 PM
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- Comments (7) Total Views (137) Everyone can see this journal post.
I need to write. I need to sort out all of the jumbled thoughts that are running around in my head. I need to cry and shout and fall on the floor kicking and screaming. It won't really help anything but it is how I feel today. And have felt since Saturday.
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday my church hosted Thrive. Thrive is a church conference, it's huge. It was sold out 7 weeks ago, that's 2500 people from all over the world! Yes world, we had folks from 6 countries. Anyway, I was at the conference from before the doors opened til hours after they closed on Saturday afternoon. I'm nuts, this I know but oh what fun I had!! You see, I am a volunteer. And this year my hubs and I ran the Ushers and the Greeters. The largest volunteer team this year. But that's not why I feel the way I do.
Over the course of the three days, there are what is called General Sessions. That's when everyone meets in the main Sanctuary and there is worship, fun and a guest speaker. This year the speakers where incredible! Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) and Nick Vujicic (sp?) and Francis Chan, to name a few. We played volleyball with beach balls and handed out ice cream and See's candy suckers and heard great messages.
Franklin Graham spoke about taking his message all over the world and how much the Billy Graham organization has helped people, not just Christians, around the world. He talked about how those of us that are believers need to be firm in our convictions and faith. We need to share our faith with others, etc. The typical evangelical message. To a certain degree anyway. I agree with him - I must be firm in my faith but for me there is a fine line between sharing and beating someone over the head with my Bible. I don't want to be that Christian.
When Nick spoke at the final General session, the session that closed the conference, I heard - something. His message was inspirational, his message hit home, his message touched my heart, HE touches my heart. Why? Because of everything he's overcome in his own life. You see, Nick was born without arms or legs. And yet the inner light that comes from him is humbling. And I saw it up close and personal.
We had special seating for Nick's "people" and one lady came in late, worship had started and it was dark and she was pushing a wheelchair. I had one usher clearing a path to the frong while I followed along. We got her to her place by the stage and I whispered that if they needed anything that they just needed to ask. Well, when I turned to head back to the back of the church I saw him. He was sitting on a chair, face raised, eyes closed and singing. Well, I think he was singing, he may have been praying. I saw God's love in his face. A beauty I've never before seen and can only hope to experience someday. I knew deep in my heart that in his mind his hands where raised and he was on his feet but that not having arms or legs didn't matter at all. He has something coming from him that just makes you stop in your tracks and thank God for allowing you to be a witness to it. Well, that's how I felt anyway.
The only thing I remember clearly from his message was that he said "God nevers wastes a wound. God uses every wound for a purpose for someone." Wow. My hurt may help someone else? Is that it? I may not understand my trials but my example may help someone else. Incredible.
After the service he was carried to the lobby where he sat on a table and took the time to hug anyone and everyone that came through the line (he was there for 2 hours). I was lucky, I was able to take my son through that line before the service had been dismissed. I was able to experience true Godly love. I watched a 26 year old man who faces seemingly insurmountable issues daily, tell a 14 year old kid who's had his own issues over the past couple of years, how much God loves him and how much he can accomplish. He then hugged my son. I about lost it. I thanked him and gave him a hug as well and all he said was God Bless. I felt like I had been touched by the hand of God.
Oh don't get me wrong, I know Nick is not God incarnate. But I also know that God works through him not with him but through him. My life isn't easy and hasn't been in a very long time but after seeing him and hearing a part of his story, I think I finally figured out the important truth. This life only lasts for a short while and it doesn't matter how hard I have it. What matters is how I deal with what happens in my life. Will I let the troubles,(you know like being broke all the time, unemployed, have cancer, lose my parents to cancer, have my hubs have a brain tumor and have a special needs child), defeat me? Or will I praise God through it all.
I chose to praise God.
Comments:
I thought I'd add this link to Nick's web site. He's just incredible.
Wonderful testimony! Thankyou for sharing it, yes God sees us as whole not matter what is on the outside. Wonderful!
I love that guy!!! I can't remember who sent me a video of him awhile back ago... but I loved it! He really is an inspiration, and I can only imagine what you described. Happy sigh.... Thanks for sharing! May we all be able to continue to Praise God through all of our trials and tribulations.
P.S.- I'll be praying for you and your hubby ~ God Bless
((Hugs)) ~Debbie~
This is awe-inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
I'm so glad I read this today, as it meant something on various levels to me. Thank you for being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in sharing it. I believe you will touch many with this. It sounds like an encounter I would have wanted to be present for, but I thank God for the many I've experienced like it.
God bless you, my dear, sweet sister in Christ.
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That was exactly what I needed to read today. I have been so caught up in my circumstances instead of being focused on Christ. When I see, or read about someone who could so easily be bitter about what they have gone through in life, but instead they choose to praise God, it makes me rethink my frustration and really puts my faith in perspective. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us.
- lovemybabygirl7
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