Good Gifts

God has given me so many wonderful gifts but today I have chosen to tell you about one that recently rocked my world. For years I have prayed that my oldest son, Michael, would come to know God in an up close personal way. My prayers for him went something like this "Father, you know you have given my son an ability to learn and grasp knowledge with ease. Thank you Father. Still Lord in all of that knowledge he is often a "prove it to me" person. Please Lord, I ask that he may hear your spoken voice. Lord, from the beginning of our relationship you have given me visions and at times spoken aloud to me. This I pray for Michael and all of my family. When he hears your voice, he will know it is you that has spoken and will know that you are more than just God of the Bible. He will know you are the one true living God that still speaks to his children and calls them by name. Amen"


This past September my mom went to be with the Lord. She had given up on life for the past two years as she simply waited to die. This past summer we made two trips to Texas to be at her side. All of the family was gathering to say their goodbyes. One by one she would speak only a word or two as they came in. As my son, Michael arrived I noticed that he seemed different in some way. He sat by her bed and prayed over her. He asked my sister for a bible and read the 23rd Palms to mom. For a few weeks before, my daughter in-law had said she would find Michael just reading the bible (not his normal thing).

To bring further meaning to the story I have to tell you, for days my sister would not leave my mom's side. Finally I convinced her that we needed to go eat. Our husbands would sit with mom. As we drove back into the Hospice parking lot I knew something was wrong. Our husbands met us at the cars to say mom had died. The first thing that came to my mind was that I had caused my sister to lose the very thing she so desired - to be by mom's side at the time of death. My spirit was broken and I felt so guilty for taking her away.

Michael came to me; at first he was just trying to comfort me. Finally he suggested we go into the family room for he wanted to tell me something. Now this is what God did for me. Michael said "Mother, God told me to tell you this 'you of all people should know that I AM in control. I did what I needed to do when I needed to do it. Do not question my actions' ".  Without a doubt I knew God had truly spoken through Michael for me. See while God took one thing from me He gave me another kind of gift. He gave me just what I asked of Him. Imagine that the first time my son would hear God's voice it would be to give me a message.  Do we not serve an awesome, loving God?

What good gifts has God given you lately? We would love to hear your comments.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11 NIV