Blessed
are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm84:5
Better
is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Psalms 84:10.
Craft
shows are exhausting…however, when I sit back and reflect on what the Lord
allows me to see through them my soul is refreshed and encouraged, and I am
allowed to witness God at work in so many different ways. I will list a few…
The
past few weeks I have seen my divorced parents, along with my step-parents work
side by side in my basement for one common goal…to paint signs and put them
together to sell to bring their grandchild home from Haiti. I have seen healing taken place in a family
because of an orphan. I have sat at my
kitchen table with both parents and step-parents and shared many meals over the
last few weeks together and heard laughter and joy. Only God can bring healing like that. Only God can restore relationships like that. Only God can mend hearts and turn discomfort
and hurt into joy and rejoicing.
Yesterday,
at the craft show I met three breast cancer survivors. I witness God’s healing power. I witnessed His power in their lives. I witnessed the love of a spouse as he walked
side by side at a craft show with his wife and doted on her every word. They shared with me how God gave them
strength through some tough times, and then brought healing to them many times
over. I needed reminding that I have a
healer who heals all disease.
They
tell us our little girl that we are pursuing will never walk. If she doesn’t that is okay, however, I know
a healer I witnessed Him yesterday.
I met
a retired Army Veteran and Retired Bessemer Police officer…talk about serving our
country…this man served and did it to the fullest! Marriage is to be an example of the relationship
between Christ and the church. After
spending a very short amount of time with this couple I could see the Love of
Christ in their marriage. The support
between the two, the way she talked about him when he was away on tour, the way
he looked at her. I witnessed God’s love
and mercy between these two. And before
they walked away, the wife looked at me with tears in her eyes and shared some
very encouraging words to me about our pilgrimage…about our journey…and about
our little girl. I will forever be
grateful for the encouragement this couple brought to my life in the short 15
minutes I knew them. And then they
bought the most expensive thing in my booth to support us. I pray that bench brings them much Rest in
HIM. They deserve it!
Then,
I witnessed the power of God in a sweet girl I met at our very first craft show. I witnessed the determination He will give to
His children! The very first show I ever
did almost two years ago, this cute as pie young lady walked in and with tears
in her eyes shared with me she was leaving for Haiti the next week. I prayed for her and followed her journey. I needed her that week for encouragement and
she needed me for the same as well. God
is a God of mystery and perfection. How
our paths ever crossed was totally in His hands. Ever since then, she has
showed up at almost every craft show I have done, and continues to purchase something
to get our baby home. Talk about
dedication. This child of God doesn’t
even know us really, but she cares enough and loves God enough to know when He
is at work and support it. She has been
more encouragement to me than she will ever realize. When I see her face every time it brings the
comfort of a Father telling us to keep walking keep going, because He has this
and He will bring this baby home!
And
then on top of all that God gave us $500 worth of blessing toward our next
$7200 payment. One of the biggest craft shows
we have had at just the right time. I
witnessed my God’s love and support and provision.
I
would rather spend one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere!
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