Arsenios
Well-known member
Well, I'll tell you as straight up as I can. When I was first saved, I was kinda naïve and I was visiting my grandpa (who had raised us girls) as he lay sick near unto death in the hospital. First, he was flicking the tv around and around and didn't even really know we were in the room. I felt I needed to hear him say if he believed in Jesus. So I asked him. He stopped flicking the tv, looked into my eyes, and said, "Yes, (my name) I always have." Then he went back to flicking the tv. A bunch of relatives were hanging around because we knew he wasn't doing well, but the nurse came in and said we should all go home and get some rest as he was in stable condition. I went to the chapel and prayed that I would be the only family member present when grandpa passed away. I felt I was the one who could handle it best as I'd just heard him say he believed in the Lord. A very childish request I know. Everyone decided to go home and my sister and I agreed to hang out and let them know if things changed. Suddenly, just after they'd all left the nurse came and said we'd better call everyone back because grandpa had taken a sudden turn for the worst. My sister ran to the phone and I went into his room. He died while I was with him before she had a chance to get back in the room. I knew it was the Lord confirming the fact that He'd heard my request....silly as it was. Over the years, I have prayed over everything...I have matured and always preface my prayers with admitting that what I'm requesting may not be the best but trusting the Holy Spirit will interpret my intentions to be according to His will. Over and over and over over the past years, I have seen God answer prayers and fill me with His peace in a way that could never be chalked up to happenstance. Never. Just recently, when my mom passed away, my daughter and I were praying about her passing and my daughter called me with the news that she had passed. It happened in a way that so increased my daughter's faith it reminded my of that first answer to prayer concerning my own grandpa. No, it was no coincidence. If I were to say that then I'd be saying God doesn't exist...much less hear me when I call out to Him. Even the thought of such a thing makes me shudder.
I realize this may not be an acceptable answer, but neither is belief in God an acceptable answer to everyone. I will say like the blind man that Jesus healed....."I don't know how He did it, but once I was blind and now I can see."
I love you, Tam, and I know you will understand.
:thumb:
Thanks, GD...
A.