Good Friday to you!
Thank you for joining us here on the “Cup.” I’m Shonda Savage an inspirational writer at FGGAM.org and I’m filling in for Dewey today.
We thank God for what HE is doing and working through this ministry and we thank you, our faithful readers and supporters of the ministry for taking part of what God is doing here at FGGAM.
Today grab your cup and let’s drink in some of God’s word this day.
Last weekend was a doubly tough weekend for me. It was Mother’s Day. I know many people have a tough time on that day for many reasons. For some, their mothers have gone on to be with the Lord, others have estranged relationships, or circumstances keep them from being with their mother. But that wasn’t my issue.
The Saturday before Mother’s Day, my husband and I received news that the underwriters would not loan us the money to purchase the home we had a contract on. And it was not because we weren’t qualifed, we are more than qualified. It’s because we’re moving more than 200 miles and my husband’s future income cannot be verified due to his upcomng retirement.
We had invested a year of time searching, dreaming, and looking at properties for my husband’s retirement years. We had found a place that fit both of our wish lists, and if you’ve ever shopped for a home before with your spouse, you know how hard that is. I took comfort in knowing that I would have new home to move to when our present home sold. But all that disappeared with one phone call last Saturday morning.
But then Dewey Moede asked me to write a Mother’s Day post and it was the last thing I wanted to do. We all know that when things are not going our way, we don’t always feel like doing something for someone else. We just want to wallow in our misery. But that is a lie from Satan to keep us defeated.
I knew I had to write that post. And as I wrote it and I started counting my blessings. Do you know what happened once I started counting my blessings? More blessings came upon me and my househould. And then more and more.
No, God did not turn things around for us to get the house. That deal fell flat this past Tuesday. What did happen though is that as I shared my burden with others, others began to encourage me with the Word of God, with prayer support, and with texts and phone calls.
In the midst of what I thought I desired crumbling around me, I saw that I have family and friends who love me and care for me. God sent His love to me through His people. That filled me up, and it kept pouring in that by Sunday I was full and overflowing.
Monday God’s love kept pouring into me through people. Then one time when I was asked, “Shonda, how are you doing?”
I honestly said, “The peace of Christ reigns in me today though the storms are still swirling.”
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
So you see the blessing was not in getting the house we wanted. Or God making the the finances appear supernaturally through Publishers Clearing House so we could purchase it.
The blessings came through counting my blessings (giving thanks), the love of God through others, and the peace of God that made absolutely no sense to my reasoning.
Brothers and sisters–do you want the peace of God today? Then start counting your blessings.
We have tbis from Pastor Dewey………
I WANT TO SHOUT THIS FROM THE ROOFTOPS! We have been praying for months for a kidney transplant for Veronica of Albuquerque! I just spent time with her and her hubby Oscar in prayer as they headed to the hospital for the TRANSPLANT!!!! Please keep Veronica in your prayers for a smooth procedure, perfect match, excellent recovery, and renewed health!!! Thank YOU LORD for this miracle! In JESUS name we pray, Amen! Psalm 77:14…….You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
