Thursday, May 05, 2005

 

Dear Family,

 

It somehow seems as thou I have been in mourning since Ardyce was in the hospital in September of 2004.  As she lay in the bed and looked up at me with such fear not knowing who I was or who she was left an impression on me that has changed my being.  The thought that one day I might stand by her bed looking at her and she not know me, know herself or where she was would be devastating. While I know God is sufficient to see us through all things I know the pain would not be less.  I keep thinking, saying and even asking God why have you not given me the strength to get over this? Why am I mourning without a cause? The experience has given me a new sense of empathy for those who are experiencing the fear of losing a loved one through some disease. Today God seemed to reveal to me that I needed to walk in those shoes for a while to prepare me to minister to those who are experiencing grief.  When we share our love and life with others we have to know that we also share the risk that one day one will be left behind to carry on without the other. Just perhaps if we can come to that realization early enough in our relationships we just might find a greater sense of unity, loyalty and dedication.  Perhaps if we could grasp the reality of how short our lives are we just might approach our loved ones and helpmates with a new quality of love and intimacy. Perhaps we would have less passion for me, my and mine and more compassion for others.

 

Christ showed so much compassion on occasion and each time demonstrated his ability to be victorious over the situation. Sometimes He has to change us before he can give us victory.

  

Now look at these verses:

 

Matt 14:14-20

14). And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

15). When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."

16). But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

17). And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."

18). He said, "Bring them here to Me."

19). Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

20). So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. (NKJ)

 

God always looks on his creatures with compassion just as Christ did in this story. No one asked to be healed, they were just seeking to see Jesus. He saw the intent of their heart and healed them. It was not their deeds but the intent of their hearts.  Then when the people needed to have their needs met he met the need.  Verses 18 & 19 give us the key. He told the disciples to bring the fish and bread, which were in no way sufficient, to him and he blessed, broke and gave the fish and bread to his disciples so they could give to the multitudes. It is not sufficient until it has his blessing. Sometimes it is not sufficient until it is broke. Sometimes He gives to us so we can give to others. Notice that what he breaks and blesses does not need to be healed. It is only us who need to be healed. When Christ broke the bread and fish there was more than enough.

 

It seems as though when we break something there is less or it is no longer suitable for use. I'm not sure that things we break need to be put back like they were. They just need to be healed, blessed and multiplied like the fish and the bread. What is broken can only be healed and blessed by him. We must "Bring them here to him" if they are to be healed, blessed and multiplied. The results are greater - greater love, greater compassion, greater understanding and just perhaps greater wisdom. In everything we are to increase, grow and multiply.  When God brings us to a place in life where we should increase, grow and multiply we must be in tune with him or we will fail to recognize the opportunity.

 

Too often we have not spent sufficient time with him to recognize these opportunities for change or increase. We tend to get in the way and poorly represent him. Sometimes when we mess everything up he has to break us before he can bless us and cause us to grow, increase and multiply. It is never pleasant being broken by God but it is always a glorious experience when we permit him to heal us. Remember, however, that He is a gentleman who waits for an invitation to come in, heal and repair what is sick or broken. Today is not too late to invite him into your situation.  He understands far better than anyone else. He feels your pain and knows the intent of your heart.

 

Love ya,

 

Dad