Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

3 Touches of Grace (3/28/03)

God spoke to me three times in one day several weeks ago.

Now, if you know me, you know I don't go around claiming to have any special abilities to connect with the inner workings of God. And frankly, I'm skeptical of most people who do claim such abilities. But still, I think I heard from God, & I was glad for it.

It had been a heavy, draining day. Some intense counseling situations were just gnawing at my spirit. A few other items were clamoring for my emotional attention as well, & I was on the verge of a major pity party. Then the first email came.

She had recently requested prayer for help with her temper, & she just wanted me to know all the irritating things that had happened to her since. Idiots in traffic, idiots at work, idiot pets. Her prayer was certainly being answered, & I just had to laugh out loud as I empathized with her plight. It was encouraging to be reminded that someone else was wrestling through this whole transformation deal, too, & was resolved to stick it out.

Fourteen minutes later the second email arrived, this one from a dear friend on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Although separated by many miles & several years, we still walk side by side through our respective dark valleys & mountain tops. I had just poured out my current sad story to him, & his reply was uncharacteristically lengthy, but boy, was it ever funny! His concern was evident, but not sappy, & for the second time that day I laughed out loud.

Which must have sounded strange to the third voice of God who appeared in person. Not one to mince words, she just wanted to tell me how much she appreciated me & wanted to encourage me, & felt bad for the way she perceived I'd recently been mistreated in a situation. I hadn't really taken notice of the offense, but it felt good to be defended!

When she left & the building grew quiet again, it dawned on me what had just happened. In a fifteen minute span of time, God had spoken to me three times, through three people, who had no idea the role they were playing! He said, "You are loved & valued. You have made a difference in the lives of people. What you do is worth it. Keep it up." It's what I needed to hear. It's what we all need to hear.

Next time you have a notion to speak words of encouragement to someone, just be aware that you may, in fact, be speaking for Someone Else!

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God . . ." (1 Peter 4:11a)


Jim Dewar --