Perspectives

As I leaned on my apartment's balcony railing, I admired the beautiful orange glow of the sunset. It had been a beautiful, sunny day and the sun's rays shone through a haze of humidity rising from the earth, creating a spectacular sight. Not a cloud was to be seen to block my view. I whispered a prayer of thanks to God for the great day, and pulled up a chair to watch the show He was providing.

Suddenly, KABOOM!!

Thunder shook the building and had me jumping out of my chair! Within a minute, wind was whipping around the corner of the building, blowing sand into my eyes, and pushing around the kids' toys that had been sitting peacefully on the balcony only moments before. Before clouds rolled over the building into my view, the rain was beginning. I ran through the apartment building to look out the east side windows. The sky was black.

I again stood on my balcony, this time watching the storm. What an object lesson God provided to show me my limited perspective. When I thought all was calm, a storm was brewing just behind my back and I couldn't even see it coming. God saw the storm coming. In fact, He even orchestrated it.

Sometimes all we can see is the storm. We can't see beyond the moment of trouble. We forget that the One who created the storm will be the One to calm the sea. We need to remember that even amid the roar of the raging storm, He whispers... "I will keep My promises."

Purple Footprints

When I was young, I used to imagine what it would be like if every footstep I took left a permanent purple footprint. I tried to walk a slightly different path to school everyday so I could leave a bigger mark in the world. I zigged and I zagged. I did circles around trees. And sometimes I even imagined leaving handprints on things as I walked by them... If those prints had really stayed, that town would be painted purple!

I wonder sometimes how my life - the things I have said and done - have impacted others. I wonder if the prints I have left have been pretty purple, angry red, cheery yellow, or gloomy shades of grey. I'm sure I have left behind some of all of those. Everywhere we go, we always leave our presence in our wake.

My Maker has put a permanent imprint on my heart Y (Ephesians 1:13) and I hope and pray that I reflect Him every step of my journey in an increasing measure (and that He will cover those times that I don't).

My Heart

One day shortly after God miraculously healed my Dad's broken neck and back, the Lord came to me. He said, "You think that healing a body is a huge miracle (and it is), but don't underestimate the most miraculous thing; the healing of a wounded heart". Then He said, "Let Me show you your heart". I saw a heart, full of sores - gross and infected. It smelled. It was struggling to beat. It was absolutely disgusting and I was repelled at the sight of it. OH GOD - is this MY heart?? It is?!? I'm gross! How can this be? How can this heart of mine be healed? Infection was oozing through my heart. It looked beyond repair. And I felt absolute despair. Was I really that bad? But I have never really been "rebellious"! I've gone on missions! I've witnessed to a lot of people!

And God pointed out to me a sore on my filthy heart and said, "That's what YOUR righteousness looks like." And I cried to God, "Then there's no hope! What can be done for my heart?"

Suddenly, God's finger reached towards my heart. On it, there was oil and ointment. He touched a gaping, infected sore. The sore disappeared. One by one He touched my sores. Slowly the stench in the room dissipated and my heart began to beat stronger, at first tentatively, then with the full force of an athlete. He replaced my "righteous" filth with the righteousness of Jesus.

Once the sores were gone, I saw some stab wounds. Every time my heart beat, the wounds would hurt. Those wounds were from people who had hurt me. God reached down again with His finger and put a soothing salve on those stab wounds and they began to heal. But one wound, the biggest one, did not heal. "Forgive", God said, "Forgive them". I forgave those people who had hurt my heart, and the wound began to heal, eventually leaving only a scar. The scar remained as a testimony to others - so they could witness the mighty healing power of God.

My Father spoke once more, "Healing a heart - that's the biggest miracle, but nothing is impossible for Me."