The Miracle Dress

The other night Mark had shared in our small group, how God had given him a dream this past week when he had found out that he finally landed a job.  The dream was about his first paycheck. He shared how he truly wanted to bless me with a beautiful new dress from JC Penney because I had been so faithful with the little money we have had in the past six years, that he wanted me to have a Brand New Dress. No more having to shop at the 50% off thrift stores. My husband was amazed, at how well I managed our income, and how I had the capability to scrimp and scrape to make it stretch. 

So the following day was Valentine.  I knew there was no money to go out and buy any gifts.  I really had no problem with it. I felt in my heart just being together, enjoying each other's company was good enough for me.  After all, Mark will be going back to work and I won't see him as much.  He'll come home tired and more than likely when he got home, I will be ready for bed. So I figured we were going to have to become creative. I made him a gift certificate off the computer for a free massage whenever he desired. Then I thought, we could take a nice walk through the Park (the weather was beautiful), maybe get a chic flic from the video store (Monday happens to be $1 day.)  Come evening, listen to some music by candlelight.  That sounded romantic enough for me.  I really didn't care to go out on Valentine anyway.  The restaurants are usually crowded.  The only thing I did miss was probably having wine (which neither one of us can have) and some chocolate.  Anyway, this was my idea of how our Valentine was going to be.

However, God had something else in mind.  Early that morning we had received a phone call from someone in our group, asking Mark if he would be able to come over and help fix something.  Mark hesitated for a minute.  He said he really wanted to be with me, seeing it's Valentine.  Kate told him that it would take no longer than 30 min.  So Mark decided to go.  When he had arrived, Kate had said that God laid it on her heart to give Mark the money to go buy me that dress!  Before you knew it,she had blessed him with MORE.  Mark was sharing with her, that things are really tight now, and no matter how much I cut back, we would still be short this month by $300.  Not only did I get a dress, she told Mark to take me out for a nice dinner as well!  We were blown away!  I felt like God was romancing us.  We ended up going to the Olive garden (45 min. wait) who cared.  I was with my honey bun.  In my new dress, KNOWING without a doubt, God loves me!

Oh,yea.  Mark went shopping with me for the dress and I even allowed him to come in the dressing room with me!  Now, how many girls would do that?  We were in heaven for the day.  A Valentine I'll never forget.

Our Fathers Love Through My Eyes

I wanted to share with you what God had showed me about a week ago.  I was feeling overwhelmed with all these issues in my life.  So I was in prayer. While I was praying, God gave me a vision. (I have never experienced this before)

He showed me a picture.  I was standing in the middle of the room.  While I was standing, I notice a rope, a large one, circling around my hips.  He told me the rope represented my problems.  There was no opening in the rope, I could not escape.  The only thing left to do was to lift my face and arms to him. by doing so meant that I was giving him all my worries and cares.  By releasing these I was then able to set myself free and trusting him with all the things I had no control over.  Isn't that beautiful?

On a different day this week, he showed me about his joy and love that he has for us, by using my emotions that I have towards the grandchildren. I have such a yearning to be with the grandchildren, but I could not understand why.  I was just with them on Saturday. This was Sunday, when I realized how much I desired to be with them, I started to think, this must be how God, our Abba Father feels towards each of us. Only ten times magnified!

This next day, I was expecting my granddaughter to come over.  My husband had gone to pick her up.  This excitement was building.  I could hardly wait for her.  Then all of a sudden the truck pulled up in the driveway,  I couldn't believe it, she has finally here!  I kept thinking, she's here! She's here! Oh, wait a minute, here is God again.  His arms open wide, waiting for me to run into them! Can you see this?  He waits for us to come to him, like I wait in anticipation for my grandchildren. I am learning so much about our Fathers love, through these grand babies! Open my heart Lord, that I can see even more of you! 

A Letter To My Daughter

You know, I was thinking about the statement you had made last night, how we believe in Jesus and yet we struggle.  It's a misconception that once you have Christ in your life that all your problems will disappear.  As a matter of fact , the Bible says you will have sufferings, you will be persecuted, you will be tempted.  Why should our lives be any different than what Christ had?  He was persecuted, rejected by his own family, mocked, crucified and tempted like us.  God allows circumstances in our lives to build character within us.  He tells us, that although we must suffer, we will not be alone,  He will give us strength, peace, and joy IF we run to him.  We can't always see what he is doing behind the scene, but we can have faith and trust that he is with us and  he has our best interest at heart.  On top of it we have the great promise, that we will reign with him someday, when our time on earth is done.  Seek his face. He will show you what is really important in life.  Not all the fancy clothes, cars, and any other material things you want.  That will not bring your happiness.  I remember being your age, thinking the same way and found out the truth, the hard way.  My life may be difficult, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  When things get out of control, it forces me to run to him, and that's where I find peace and joy.  These two things are priceless.