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Monday, June 2, 2008

Spiritual Surprises

This weekend brought many spiritual surprises. Twice I can honestly say that I felt my faith reaffirmed. The first was Friday night, I was running all over town delivering cookie dough, my aunt had called me earlier to tell me that my uncle has gotten worse mentally once again, and was on his third day without eating. Everyone is getting so frustrated with this man, because his illness is something that none of us can possibly understand. I called my Mom and she went to see him after work. He made no eye contact and only answered yes or no questions, my Mom left his house Friday night just bawling. I went to see John at work because that is where he basically lives lately and the whole time something is telling me to stop at my Uncle's house on the way home. I am trying to convince myself no, it's to late, I still have to stop at Meijers, my kids are so tired they just want to go home. So I tell myself driving home nope there is nothing I can do for him I am just going to go to Meijer's and go home. Next thing I know I am headed to his house. I then start to say things to him that just flew out of my mouth. He made very good eye contact with me, smiled and said hi to my kids. I stayed for about 40 minutes, begging him to just eat and to please get better. I don't usually talk about God with others unless it's brought up and my uncle thinks that churches are cults and does not have God in his life so I never talk about that kind of stuff with him. For some reason that is all I could talk about with him and he seemed to be actually listening which was amazing. I left there crying and unsatisfied because I was looking for an instant break through. That night it was my kids who wanted to pray for him. The next morning my sister calls to tell me that my Aunt called her and explained how she talked to him and had a break through, he talked back and he actually ate something. I felt a bit that I had a hand in that, I felt like God wanted me there with him Friday night and was telling me not to give up on him. The second was Sunday morning, debating whether or not to go to church because John worked the night before and he needed to sleep, Tyler informed me that he did not want to go because he was bored there and he wanted to stay home with his Dad and wait for him to wake up. So the girls and I decided to go. On the way there I started thinking maybe I am pushing John and Tyler to much to attend church, John says he like to go but he is not into it as much as I am. Tyler is at that age where he is just like falling asleep during the message. So fast forwarding my story we are in church I was kinda spaced out looking out the window, having a very hard time paying attention myself. The pastor starts talking about how he feels the need to share a story that just came to him this morning about when he was about 11 years old. He starts to explain how he used to dread church as a child, his parents always made him go and on occasion something would get his attention and he would actually learn something, and the older he got the more he understood and was so thankful his parents made him attend. Then he wanted to thank a certain person in the church for attending most Sundays even though he works 3rd shift at Meijers Saturday nights. I felt like God was using him to tell me not to give up on John and Tyler, not to give them the ok to stay home while the girls and I attend. I left church that day feeling so close to God and so renewed. So I came home and informed John and Tyler that they were not getting off easy anymore... It's funny how when you are looking for spiritual signs we can't always see them but just when you are unsure of things he makes a presence in your life and makes you feel like everything is going to be ok and to just trust in him...

3 comments:

Kristin said...

Thank you for the reminder that God works in "small" ways that have such "BIG" impacts on our lives!
I hope your uncle continues to do better. Let's hope the worse is over. Is he seeing anyone to help him through this??

Lisa said...

I know we talked about this yesterday Shelly but just wanted to say I am still praying for your uncle. Also I can so relate to your experience about church, only it has been both Brian and I finding excuses and reasons to skip out on services. Thanks for the reminder that we need to make our relationship with God first priority. =) <3

Anonymous said...

I can say I've actually missed going the past few weeks. We're definately going this week!! Thanks for the reminder on how important it is to stay strong in our faith! Love ya!
~Lea