 By Linda Hokit
A mentor once told me that God has prepared us for what He wants us to do today and will prepare us for what he wants us to do tomorrow. I have certainly found this to be true. With that I hope to share in the articles to come ways I have personally seen God work in obvious and undeniable ways. Back in the day, we called them Missionary Stories. When I was an appointed missionary, children would bring me their autograph books and asked for my name and a verse. I would often write, Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” There was actually a chorus at the time and sometimes we would sing the words together. Another good passage along the same lines is found in Isaiah 41:9b-10 an says, “… ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” With that, the story I want to share is about how God prepared me in childhood for some of the things I ended up doing later. One day, I was walking home from school when I noticed smoke rising from my house. I ran right past a lady who also broke out into a run. She caught me just before I ran inside my house to look for my mother. I was convinced she was there since she always met my brother and I with an afterschool snack each day. My Good Samaritan had her hands full keeping me safe, because I was dedicated to getting in the house! Once she had won out, she said, “We stand here. We stand here.” It wasn’t long until the fire fighters arrived and then my mom. My mother had gone on a quick errand but had forgotten to take a pot off the stove before heading out. I don’t know the name of the lady who jumped in to take care of me, but to my family she was an angel. I don’t why she was on the corner that particular day because I had never seen her before. But her timing was perfect. She was a person of Mexican descent and was still learning English, but that day she said and did everything she needed to do to keep me safe. I’m impressed by the fact she never hesitated to help. Part of me wonders if I will meet her in heaven someday. As it worked out, I have also been the person to stand with others affected by disasters. I have served for more than 20 years with both the American Red Cross and with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Both agencies are part of the recovery effects happening now in the south. There are currently on this one response more than 10,000 Southern Baptist Volunteers alone serving and many more will come. In fact, we will likely be helping out for the next year. I say this because, like Christ we will prove our love for God and others with our actions just like my Good Samaritan. As it happens, I have likewise served as a Conversational English Instructor. I have been able to teach again for more than 20 years. I was able to write and present a basic English lesson on how to prepare for disasters so new immigrants could prepare for common disasters. Likewise, I have been able to provide Preparedness Presentation to children about how to handle a disaster in the safest ways. When I do, I start by saying, “When I was a little girl the fire fighters came to my house, but the best part of the day was when the stranger saved my life.” May we all be available to serve as God calls us, empowered by the knowledge that God has prepared us for the task He wants us to do. Note: Serving in as an Alaskan Volunteer with New England Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team helping those affected by floods in Massachusetts in the late 90’s  Written by William Brannon A few years back my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia. In the following years, she declined quickly. We had to place her in a memory care facility because she needed to be watched twenty-four hours a day. As her health declined even more, she came to a point where she stopped eating and drinking, it was the final stages. She began to waste away, there wasn't much of her left, just skin and bones; but she didn't let go, she kept fighting to live. As my father, brother, cousin and I stood around her, waiting for her to pass, I had a thought that maybe she was holding on for us, so I placed my hand on her and told her it was OK to let go, we will be OK. Then, one by one we all placed our hands on her and said it together. In that very instant, she died—at least that’s what we thought. As soon as we removed our hands, she sprang back to life. We all looked at each other in awe. Then, one by one we laid our hands on her again and repeated the words, “it's OK to go, we will all be OK, and we love you,” and she passed away. Years passed and I started my walk with God, I was searching to become closer to Him, I'd reached a point where I was scared of missing what God was putting in my life. As I prayed to Him about it, I said, “God please don't let me miss what you have for me,” and he showed me the memory with my mother, and said “you think that was you, but it was me working through you. You have given me your heart and I will use it, you may not even know it's happening, but you will not miss a thing I have for you.”  By Sherry Silver
"God’s promise arrives as pure gift. That’s the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it.” Romans 4:16 MSG What is an eight-letter word that best describes me right now? “Grateful”!” For the past several weeks I have been watching the devastation caused by the storms and hurricanes across the East Coast. My heart is saddened for all the losses and ongoing problems they created. However, I was very grateful to learn that my brother was safe and was south of the storm in Florida. There are so many things to be grateful for and my gratitude never ends. I have been blessed with help and support from the church, especially now that I’m unable to drive, or do the things I used to do. I had a choice - wallow in self-pity, or reach out for help. I chose the latter and the blessings have kept coming! How do I thank everyone for their kindness and generosity? Why do I deserve this? I know I’m a child of God and I know He loves me unconditionally because He has gifted me with so many angels. Even though I live with chronic pain, my gratitude is immeasurable. Max Lucado says it best in his book, ‘Grace’. He states,” “My child I want you in my new kingdom. I have swept away your offenses like the morning clouds. Your sins like the morning mist. I have redeemed you. The transaction is sealed; the matter is settled. I, God have made my choice. I choose you to be part of my forever family.” What more is there to say except thank you, to God and to all of you for all the blessings I have received. I’m grateful to be a part of this church and God’s ‘Forever family.’  By Kadeen Edwards
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV It’s so true that a season of hard times can come upon us and we’ll still have faith because we know that God is working on our behalf for our good. However it becomes difficult when we have an idea that this suffering will end in a certain time, yet it continues. It becomes harder to believe that this too shall pass. I have been in a season like this for a while now. On really good days it’s easy to see God and believe that he’s got me and everything will be okay. Then there’s the days that are much harder and one bad thing happens after another. I think where are you God? I love and desire you, why is this all happening to me? Will it never end? I say to him "Haven’t I suffered enough?"… and so much more. Then I hear… "What if this season never ends? Will you still love me? Will you still love others even when they hurt you? Will you still serve others even when they don’t acknowledge your service?" In Job 2:10 Job says to his wife ”Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” When I think about these questions I am reminded that Jesus faced all these challenges and he followed through with all God had called him to do. He was obedient unto death. I am so blessed in many ways in this season of hardships there are many great and amazing things happening. I’m reminded God hasn’t left me it’s just that this season is testing my faith. It says in James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. |
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