God Speaking

Flashback...

Sunday, September 23, 2007 

What a treat I had tonight. I had dinner with Gracia Burnham. Gracia and her husband Martin were kidnapped in the Philippines in 2001 and held captive for over a year. When they were finally rescued they were caught in the crossfire and Martin was killed. I  prayed for them while they were in captivity and then later read Gracia's books about her experience.  I was just going to sneak into the dinner a local church was having for her tonight. My friend Shelley told me that she was praying that I would get to sit "shoulder to shoulder" with Gracia at the dinner. Well, I didn't know how that would happen because I wasn't even supposed to go to the dinner because I wasn't a member of that church. I knew ONE person who was a member and that person happened to be a greeter for the event. When I got there I found Jane and she said, "I have a seat saved for you." It was at the front table. There were four people on one side of the table and then four empty chairs. The chair Jane held out for me was in between two empty chairs. The man on the other side of the table said, "Are you sure you are supposed to sit there?" I said, "Believe me, I never would have chosen this seat, but this is where I was told to sit." Pretty soon a man and his wife came and sat on one side of me and I found out they were Martin's parents. Then Gracia came in and sat on my other side. Every good and perfect gift comes from God and he is the one who enables us to enjoy them. I was so thankful to God for the opportunity to meet someone who is living out her husband's last words to "Serve the Lord with gladness." (Psalm 100) Whether you are hiking a jungle trail, speaking in front of hundreds of people, nursing a sick child... whatever you do, do it as to the Lord. It is the Lord Christ who you serve.

Yesterday...

We were waiting for our flight from Wichita to DFW when I saw a familiar face.  I told Richard, "That's Gracia Burnham."  (He never met her.)  I walked up and introduced myself and reminded her of when we met almost 3 years ago.  We talked for a couple of minutes and I introduced her to my family, but then it was time to board the plane.  Richard asked her where she was sitting and it was the seat NEXT TO MINE!  I said, "Well, God must want us to spend some more time together."  We had a lovely hour talking about her life, my life, and how nice it was for God to arrange our visit.

Today...

I was walking and listening to this song and crying.  I am so thankful for the times in my life when God "shows up" in unmistakable ways to let us know that he knows exactly where we are.  He can show his love for us in any way he chooses--even in an airplane seat assignment.

Have you ever heard a love song that
Set your spirit free
Have you ever watched a sunrise and
Felt you could not breathe
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking

Have you ever cried a tear that
You could not explain
Have you ever met a stranger
Who already knew your name
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

Have you ever lost a loved one
Who you thought should still be here
Do you know what it feels like
To be tangled up in fear
What if He's somehow involved
What if He's speaking through it all
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange
What could be stranger
Than God in a manger
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
Who knows how He'll get a hold of you
Get your attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

(Mandisa, "God Speaking")