Tender Loving Care

January 8, 2022... Feeling unqualified, inexperienced, depressed, hopeless, and unfit, I received a word from the Lord. As I passed by my Jesus Calling devotional, I felt led to read the day’s devo. It was God sending me a message for sure. He said…

“Softly I announce My presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My presence. When you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present help.

Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of light  will reach you through the darkness.” *

Psalm 46:1 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Romans 15:13 (NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 24:1 (NLT) The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

͢͢͢͢͢Keep hope alive.

Resuscitate it.

Put it on life support…

but don’t let it die.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

* Reference: Jesus Calling Devotional, Thomas Nelson Publishers, January 8, Sarah Young, Author

It Coulda Been Me

Early Saturday morning I went online to check the results of the lottery ticket my husband bought us. Before I was able to get to the website, I got to thinking about a time when I was broke and being evicted from my apartment.

I had found a women's shelter that would take me in. They told me to be there first thing the next morning. They only had one bed left and they promised it to me.

When I arrived they had given my bed to someone else. I was very upset and didn't know what to do.

The lady in the front office suggested I speak with her colleague who might be able to help. He met with me but was clearly annoyed by the intrusion first thing in the morning without an appointment. He made no effort to cover up his frustration.

I prayed!

Against his own will, this young man went to great lengths to get me the assistance I needed. I got two months of paid rent to avoid the eviction and six months of food stamps. This gave me time to get on my feet and move on.

As I sat in our living room recalling the experience, I remembered a song written by Walter Hawkins that our choir used to sing many, many years ago.

Wanna hear it? Here it goes...

Tragedies are common place

All kinds of diseases, people are slipping away

Economy's down, people can't get enough pay

But as for me, all I can say is

Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.

Folks without homes, living out in the streets

And the drug habits some say, they just can't beat

Muggers and robbers, no place seems to be safe

But You've been my protection every step of the way

And I want to say

Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.

It could've been me

Outdoors

No food

No clothes

Or left alone

Without one friend

Or just another number

With a tragic end

But You didn't see fit to let none of these things be

And everyday by Your power

You keep on keeping me

And I want to say

Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.

I wanna thank You for Your for love

Thank You for Your power

Thank You for protection

Every hour

I want to thank You for mercy

Wanna thank You for so much grace

Thank You for holding me

Thank You for loving me

Thank You for keeping me

Thank You for leading me

Thank You for guiding me

Thank You for protecting me

Where would I go?

No place to sleep

But You made a way for me

I want to say thank You

I could have been lost

In my sin

But You quickened my heart

And You brought me in.

Thank You for picking me up

Thank You for turning me around

Thank You for placing my feet

On solid ground.

I want to say thank you

Early in the morning

Brand new mercies I see

Thank you Lord for all You've done for me.

As I sang the song in my head, tears flooded my face. It could 've been me on the street, but God is faithful and didn't see fit to let it be.

As we struggle through this pandemic, tragedies are definitely commonplace. Somehow in the midst of it all, I remembered this testimony of God's faithfulness to me.

As a way to pay it forward, I sometimes volunteer to feed the homeless at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center aka The Stewpot.

Well, we didn't hit the lottery this time, but I thank You Lord for all You've done for me. Amen.