A Glimpse of God

Everyone once in awhile, sometimes when you are least expecting it, you get a glimpse of God. That happened to me today.

I went back to work on Monday after being out for chemo and radiation. I work in the NICU as an RN. The NICU, like many ICU's is a very high tech place. Lots of machines, tubes, wires, monitors, pumps and alarms. And, almost hidden in the midst of it all, lies a very sick little baby.

Today, one of my babies, who had surgery yesterday, started to furrow his little brow and cry. I quickly got him some pain medication and started infusing it. While I was waiting the few minutes for it to take effect, I put my hand on his little forehead to comfort him. (He was too sick to pick up and hold). I leaned in close to his face and spoke softly to him. I prayed for God to quickly take away his pain, comfort him and heal him so he could go home to his mommy and daddy where he belonged. As I spoke to him, he opened his big dark eyes, stopped crying and looked right into my heart.

And in that very moment, I caught a glimpse of God. In the midst of all the wires and tubes and noise, was a new life, sent straight from heaven. God had created this new life. "For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:11) He knows the plans he has for his life. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) God holds this baby close to His heart. "And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." ( Mark 10:16)


Tears of thankfulness began to flow. I was so thankful to be God's hands today to comfort this child. To be His voice to pray for him. And thankful for being able to witness the almighty, powerful God through the eyes of this fragile little baby.

God is not a God who sits upon a big gold throne in the sky, far removed from His people. He is right here in our midst. He longs for us to notice Him. Maybe it's a butterfly landing on a leaf, a colorful rainbow in the sky, the opening of a new rosebud, the laughter of a child. Or perhaps it is through the eyes of a sick little baby.

Have you witnessed a glimpse of God lately? If not, watch closely. Look for Him. He is here, just waiting for us to notice Him.

Where Are You?

The last couple of days have brought sadness and questions for many, many people. On Thursday, a gunman opened fire on innocent young men and women at Fort Hood army base, getting ready to deploy to Iraq. 13 people died and 43 were injured. These young people had chosen to serve their country. They were unarmed. They had done nothing wrong. They were simply the victims of someone else's anger.

Less than 24 hours later, an armed gunman, in our own city, walked into a business and opened fire on unsuspecting victims as they worked at their desks. They had done nothing wrong. The gunman had been fired from his job and took his hurt and anger out on innocent people.

Where are you, God? Are you here? We can't see you.


We are alot like little Wyatt with these glasses on. We can't understand the ways of God anymore than Wyatt can understand algebra. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12).

But one day, Wyatt will understand algebra. And one day, we will see and understand God's plan. Without faith, it would be so easy to believe that God is not in control. But He is here. He feels the pain, He understands the sadness. He alone knows the reasons why. He IS HERE in the midst of it all.

There are so many people that cross our path in a day's time. Are they hurting? Do they feel so unloved that they feel the need to hurt others? Can I make a difference?

Oh Lord, Sometimes we can't see you. We don't always understand. Help us to trust your word that you are always here with us. That you are in control of everything that happens and one day we will see you clearly. Lead us, Father, to love more deeply, forgive more quickly, and take the time to notice those around us who are hurting. Show us, Lord, how we can make a difference. Amen

HOLD TIGHT

Carl has started walking on the treadmill everyday. It has been good for his sugar levels and I'm sure for his overall health. He walks anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on his schedule. Each day I see him walk, I think, "I'm going to walk today, too." I used to be an avid walker, walking 2-3 miles every morning before work. Now when I get on the treadmill, it's a chore to walk 15 minutes. I am "spent" when I finish and don't have the energy for the rest of the day.

Yesterday, was one of those mornings. I tried to walk and after about 10 minutes I was out of breath and too tired to continue. Feeling a bit frustrated with my slow "return to normal", I went in, got showered, checked for any new lumps or bumps (as is my daily routine anymore) and prepared to go to Wednesday morning bible study.

Driving to the church, I kept thinking about the days when I would go out and walk a couple of miles, work 12 hours and come home with energy to spare. The more I dwelt on those days, the more discouraged I became. So, I wasn't really in a great frame of mind for bible study, and actually thought about going back home and sitting out on the swing and having my own bible study. But I'm glad I didn't.

The scripture verse for the study came from Hebrews. Though it encompassed many verses, one in particular jumped off of the page at me . "Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." (Hebrews 10:23) Immediately I thought of my morning discouragement.

I pictured myself climbing a high rope, one of those that you climb at the fair, or on an obstacle course. If you make it to the top and can ring the bell, you win the prize. As I start the climb, I have a good strong grip and the first section of the rope seems easy. The higher I climb, the harder it is to hang on. My hands are getting tired. And soon, I take my eyes off of the prize at the top and look down and begin to waver. That's where I start to get into trouble. When I look back. I realize, that while I was busy looking back at "where I was", I had loosened my grip.

"God can be trusted to keep His promise." From the beginning of time, throughout every word of the bible, God has never broken a promise. I, on the other hand, have broken more promises in my life than I even care to think about. Why then, would I waver, take my eyes off of Him and put them on myself? God's promise is not about "what I used to do" or "where I have been", but where He wants me to be today. In right relationship with Him.

Isn't it like that for so many of the difficult ropes we must climb during our life? At first, we are strong. Our grip is tight. Our faith is solid and we believe God's promise that He will help us make the climb.We look up and keep our focus on Him.

But as the climb gets higher, our bodies get tired and our grip gets weaker. We, too often, take our eyes off of God. We start to wonder if His promise to get us through is really true. We look down at where we have been instead of looking up to where He promises to take us.

But God's faithfulness is great. When we slide back and loosen our grip, all we have to do is look up again. Not only, will He give us a new strength for the climb, But He will climb with us, hand over hand, until one day we reach the top and claim the prize of a faithful follower!