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Blessings from God

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I have had a hard time accepting God and His actions. Just this past summer, I watched and cared for my grandmother while she died of cancer, something no ten-year-old should ever have to experience. I prayed to God that He would save her life. He didn’t, at least not in the way I had hoped. I now know that our method of saving could mean more pain and suffering.

The month she died physically, I died spiritually. I was angry with God for letting her die. I wouldn’t let Him or anyone else who loved me or cared about me into my heart. It was stone cold, so that only the devil could get in. In that way, I died too. But I wouldn’t talk about my troubles to anyone. I kept it bottled up inside of me and would have frequent outbursts. It has not yet been a year since this tragedy happened, but I am softening my heart, knowing that in my head I want to let God in, knowing I need to want that in my heart, as well.

God has saved my grandmother in a way that I may never understand. But I do know that, long before I came, she accepted Him into her heart. I hope to follow in her footsteps, and accept God into my life, as well. In the short time that I was with her, I got to know a lot of things about her. Some of her likes and dislikes, her favorite foods, and her not-so-favorite gummy bear flavors.

I didn’t know much about her, before that. But I do know that when I arrive at God’s city, I will have a wonderful second chance to see her again, and have thousand of years to get to know her. There will be no death there, and all will be well. Sometimes, we may not see the blessings in our life through our anger and sadness. But as the song Blessings states, “And what if your blessings come through raindrops, and what if your healing comes through tears, and what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near.” Through that song, I have let God soften and enter my heart, knowing that all of my greatest disappointments are His mercies in disguise.

I have been taking baptismal classes with fellow church members to prepare me for my baptism in a couple of weeks. I am thrilled to be getting baptized because I believe it means I’m getting that much closer to God–and it helps me realize all He has done for me and my family.

The post Blessings from God appeared first on Answers for Me.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Home Again

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One particular November day, my son Michael and I had taken his old 1976 pick-up to the wooded lot in back of our home to take care of some fallen trees. Our little “forest” was about ¼ mile from our house at the end of a grassy trail.

After cutting up firewood with a chainsaw, and throwing it into the back of the old green and white Chevy, the weariness began to seep its way into my tired old body…with each block of wood. I was grateful to see the sun setting, and the phrase “bone-tired” crept across my mind as I trudged back towards home on foot.

The wind sent the brown and yellow leaves scurrying along the ground around my old sneakers.  With each rhythmic, crunchy footstep, I came closer and closer to the clearing where I could see the outline of our small farmhouse in the distance. As I drew nearer, I could make out the warm glow of the kitchen lights through the window…but it wasn’t until I was just outside the door that I smelled the supper that my wife had prepared for us.

After spending a few hours in the crisp autumn air, that scent of chili was as welcome to me as the warmth of a fireplace on a winter’s night. I had enjoyed working with my son in the woods, but it was good to be home! Upon removing my coat and washing my hands, I gratefully plopped down into a comfy chair with my bowl of home-cooked goodness, and a handful of tortilla chips.

Supper tasted especially good, and upon finishing my last spoonful, a thought crossed my mind: “I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!” Sometimes, it’s the small stuff that hits me just right…like this hot bowl of chili after a hard day’s work, or the smile of a family member who has been looking forward to seeing me walk through the door. I’m always grateful, but every once in a while God reminds me in very simple ways, the blessings He daily gives.

Reminds me of a verse in the Bible: “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8, ESV).

Michael Temple writes from North Dakota.

The post Home Again appeared first on Answers for Me.

Read more at the source: Home Again

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

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