For My Good

It was a night I will never forget. My Dad had to go into heart surgery in Little Rock, Arkansas, and I was in Lawrence, Kansas. I couldn't get there in time to see him before his operation, so I stayed home. I felt like the Lord was going to take him home that night, but I held out hope that I was wrong. At around 3:00 on the morning of July 29, 2004, the phone rang. Someone on the other end, I don't even remember who, told me that my Dad's blood was not clotting after the surgery.
I began trembling with fear of losing him.I went into our tiny bathroom in our duplex. I sat down beside the tub with tears flowing, begging God to allow my Dad's blood to clot. I've never prayed such a specific and strange prayer in my life! I wept uncontrollably. I pleaded with my Savior, I reminded Him that my Dad was a soul winner, he'd knocked on 20 doors just the night before his surgery! I told Him that Dad was a faithful man, a man who would sacrifice his very livelihood for Christ's sake, if necessary. I prayed with all that was in my aching soul.
The phone call came an hour later. Dad had, in fact, shed the confines of his earthly body and was now meeting our Savior face to face. I was happy that Dad was now free from pain and sin, but I missed him so much. We were very close. I literally wept for hours. My mouth was dry, my face was swollen, my head throbbed and the desire to live was taken away. I cried until I felt I had no more tears left, but then, more came! Where could they be coming from? I knew not.
The days and weeks stretched out ahead of me, long and bleak. I managed to keep breathing, to keep going, step by step. God provided grace for each new day. Some days, I was amazed at how I felt His presence. Other days, I just barely eeked by. I got to know my Lord on an entirely new level by experiencing that trail. He was so real to me, that I felt I could touch Him!

The night was not as bleak last night, as it was on July 29, 2004, but it was close. In January, we will be getting a president who does not believe the way I do. I do not feel that he loves our country very much. I do not agree with most of his ideas. But through this trial, we Christians can know Jesus like never before. If persecution does come our way, we can draw closer to our Savior than we ever have before.
You never know, America may draw so close to our Lord that they feel they can touch Him.

I am thankful that God took care of me through those very dark days of my life. I have learned so much, and I can assure you, it was for my good as Romans 8:28 states. No, it didn't feel good, but I think I put too much stock in feelings. This time in America's history is also for my good. He knows that I live in America. In fact, He knows each one of His children, down to the number of hairs on our heads! I believe that when it's all over, we will most assuredly say,"It was for our good."

...He hath done all things well:.. Mark 7:37