 |
|
I have an opinion about positive thinking and actions that appear to be supported by things I see happening around me. Here it is, and it's not that mind-over-matter stuff being promulgated by the New-Age crowd. I think our actions and the things we say can be a fervent prayer. What I mean is that occasionally someone will believe something is going to happen so strongly that they plan for it, talk it, act upon it and will hear nothing else. It is like all these actions and speech are accepted by God as a prayer of faith. Then when we bring the name of Jesus into the mix, something happens. Here is a story that illustrates this "pray and believe that you have what you asked for without question" frame of mind. It is referred to by some as childlike faith. What do you think? I call the story FOREVER EMPTY Dave wanted a baby more than anything. But it was totally impossible, and everyone knew but Dave. They just couldn't bring themselves to tell him the terrible truth. He was dying; he had only three months left. My wife and I had never met Dave and Irene Richardson before landing at Speak Airport. They were there with my wife's family to welcome us home to England. And they were as glad to see us as those who had known Doreen all her life. If you had a mold called "sweet people," Dave and Irene were the type that would drop right in without a squeak. We were told about Dave's problem that evening after they left. Dave knew he was weak; he had lost his job because he couldn't work. He thought he had some sort of respiratory problem that would soon pass. But the doctor's diagnosis was leukemia. He told Irene, but felt it best to let Dave enjoy what was left of his life for as long as possible. And of course, Irene told her friends because she couldn't bear her burden alone. The situation was hopeless for Irene. And yet she had to pretend happiness, knowing one day soon, she would have to tell him . . . watching him grow ever weaker, watching him die. But even if Dave could, by some medical miracle, be spared the dauntless end of leukemia, he would still never have a child-not even if he lived to be a hundred. No one would tell him about that either. It was a monstrous irony then that his favorite pastime was transforming a room into a nursery. He had papered the walls with a pattern of birds and butterflies and bears, all surrounded with ribbons and hearts. Lacy curtains adorned the windows. Window casings, doors and trim were freshly painted. There was a rocking chair and chest with cute decals. The crib was complete with blankets and stuffed animals, waiting for a baby that would never come. It would be forever empty. But Dave was convinced that Irene would soon be pregnant. A few days after arriving, we were gathered at my brother-in-law's home, waiting dinner for Dave. He gushed through the door, holding forth a big pink and brown teddy. "Look what I got for the baby!" "Honey, it's beautiful, she'll love that, she will" Irene said, forcing a tender smile. Then she and my sister-in-law bustled into the kitchen "to see how the dinner was coming." They closed the door behind them and Irene wept. We all felt like crying at his complete hopeless joy. How could anyone take that from him? And what would he do when he finally collapsed and learned the truth? One day, I was in the town pub with the men of the family, having a good natter (conversation). Dave was with us. The "keep" came to me. "Someone's at the door for you." It was Irene. "Jack," she said timidly, Dave knows you believe in healing. He'd like ya t' pray for 'im, but he's embarrassed to ask. Would ya do that?" (He still thought his problem was respiratory.) I had told Dave of the miracles I'd been party too. Now it was time for the showing. "Sure I will. Soon as we get back to Denver, I'll call my friends and we'll all pray together for Dave." As soon as I returned, I called my friends and we all fasted and prayed for Dave. But we heard nothing from them, and I often wondered how they were. Then, after five years, we received a letter from Irene. They had a baby girl one year after we left. Dave was holding down three part-time jobs and feeling great. Our wonderful God had filled Dave's crib and their hearts with his gift of love and joy. The happiness that God brings to those who reach out to him is really unspeakable. Think about the miracle he worked for Dave. Is there an emptiness to your life that has never been filled? Take a lesson from Dave and understand that God longs for you as Dave longed for his unborn child. You cannot understand such love and you can't earn it. It's just there; and so profound that Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed because of it. There are over 50 million miracles residing in America today. We'd all like to hear about yours. I have prepared a little book titled Why Write Your Testimony," help you decide to write yours. I can just about guarantee you will be amazed as you discover how important God's Grace is to you, as it is to others you don't even know. |
