It’s been a while…a really long while…since I’ve been inspired enough to actually sit and put my thoughts down in front of me. Let me begin by saying that I had a very unexpected journey today. Rarely do I wake up and have my plans for the day take such a dramatic turn.
My dear uncle has been declining in health recently and after learning the extent of his decline in the last few days from my daddy, particularly last night, I felt a big nudge to go and pay a visit. He lives a few hours north of me, so making a trip up there was going to be a full day event.
I reached out to my supervisor and let her know I wasn’t going to be at work today and why. Then I showered and got on the road with my husband at the wheel. Once there, we spent about 45 minutes visiting. During that visit, I got to experience once moment of clarity. He opened his eyes and made eye contact with me, then he smiled, and then faded out again. It was fleeting, but it was beautiful and precious to me.
My dad arrived a couple of hours after we left, and shortly after that, my uncle passed on from this world. I learned of his passing about ten minutes before we pulled back into our driveway at home. There are no words to express how grateful I am that we listened to that big nudge. God speaks to us in many ways, but the clearest way is through those nudges.
It takes a lot of practice to recognize the difference between His nudges and our own desires, both pushing us along. Even when we think we’ve got it down pat, we can easily lose our ability to discern the difference. It takes work and a willingness to be quiet in our own minds. It’s very easy, as a human person, to believe we know what’s best for us, but I can assure you that He always knows better.
I wrote a note recently, to which I received a quick and surprising response. What do you do when God speaks to your heart through someone you’d never have expected?? You listen!!! The words offered to me were simply kind and genuine, but the receipt of them had a major impact on my spirit. It’s largely because of that response that I found a bit of my own inspiration to get back to my writing. My pastor has been encouraging me to do so for a long time now, so Pastor Brooks, I hope this one hits the right note!
With all of the recent destruction in western North Carolina (my home stomping grounds), which followed several months of healing from breast cancer surgeries, as well as a very overwhelming load of work facing me each day at my desk, my spirit has started to feel fatigued. There have been some additional stressors on the pile, but I’d venture to say those things are the biggest culprits with their impacts.
Still, even in the midst of a really wacky year, God has always been there to make sure I was able to get through the day in front of me. Sometimes He’s had to help me through the MINUTE in front of me, but no matter the measure of time, He made sure I got through it. Not only has He seen me through, but He made sure I came out stronger each time.
Stronger in faith, stronger in resolve, stronger in determination to do things HIS way. That’s what I did today…I did the day His way, and because of that, I was able to say goodbye to someone I love very much before they moved out of this life and into the next. What a blessing. The blessing comes with heartbreak, but it’s a blessing all the same.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
This is a scripture that I’ve truly taken to heart. It’s the disposition with which I try to approach most everything that comes my way. This life is my opportunity to grow and strengthen my faith, knowing that, regardless of what happens here, God has everything under control. Our ultimate end is already written. All I have to do is keep showing up and stay willing to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Even if I can’t see the next stair, I know God will put one under my foot. It’s what He has done for me since the day I was born. I can’t imagine He’d do any less with the days I have left!
Love the Hand of God 