Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to align my steps with Your path for my life.
If you have been following my reflection posts, you know that recently my life and the life of my family has been crazy. My daughter moving to Chicago has required me to drive up there and back 3 times recently to help her in finding a home. I have had to spend time in Birmingham helping my other daughter with her home. Our finances are tight, and my wife and I have recently got over some health issues.
The past two days I have been helping a couple doing needed repairs on their home. In talking, and mainly listening to the father, I came to understand all they have going on in their lives. They are in their mid 60s. They have a son who is Autistic and though can function and works at McDonalds, he will never be able to live on his own and will always live with them. Their daughte, who has two young daughters ages 7 and 5 is an addict. Because of this and abuse and neglect to her daughter, this couple now has custody and is raising their grand children. The oldest daughter who is 7, because of the abuse and trauma has suffered mentally. She still is not potty trained and wears diapers that are needed to be changed, hardly talks, does not often respond when her name is called, and has frequent outbursts of anger. His wife has a heart issue that keeps her tired and without energy, and she sleeps allot. So this man is struggling now daily to take care offend support his wife, son, and two grandchildren. He loves his family dearly, however he said this is not what he signed up for.
I listened to the pain and struggles coming from the man’s heart. We prayed together and after I did I thought I have no reason to complain about any of the struggles and challenges I now have in my families life.
"Then Moses ordered Israel to set out from the Red Sea and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, 'What shall we drink?' He cried out to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet" (Exodus 15:22-25).
In You, we're on a spiritual journey out of the bondage of Egpyt, through the wilderness, and into the promised land of our destiny. And along the way we can grow weary and worn. We can give in to the negative attitudes of murmuring and complaining and criticizing. We can let our faith waiver as we begin to forget Your faithfulness for salvation and deliverance so many times before and start to lose our vision and hope for the destiny You've set before us. We focus on the cup of bitter waters we may be drinking from in the present.
But You are the God who makes our bitter waters sweet. Just like You showed Moses a piece of wood, you remind us of a piece of wood. You remind us of Your cross. The power of Your cross and Your sacrifice of love for every one of us is the power of God for our salvation, for our healing, for our deliverance that refreshes us and renews us to continue the journey. Just as You showed the children of Israel that day, You show us every day You are "the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15:26) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may drink deeply from the Living Waters every day, from the One who makes your bitter waters sweet, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Help Me Help Others Out Of Their Graves!
Help Me Share The Gospel!
I could use your financial support for One Direction Community and my family to jump down into the pits and help lift up those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!!
