Daily Devotional for August 2, 2022

For the last few years, I have prayed for Gary each morning as his life got worse and worse.

Paralyzed in a farming accident, slowly recovering, needing back surgery, then, diagnosed with cancer which postponed his surgery.  It has not been good.

Through it all, whenever I asked Gary how he was doing, he never sugarcoated his answer, and even said if it was his time to go, he was ready.  He always ended our conversations by saying, “I am blessed.”
 
I didn’t see it.

If anyone’s life looked like a retelling of Job, it’s Gary’s.

Last week, Gary got the test results back.  He’s cancer free.  The impossible became reality as Gary experienced a miracle.

Many people don’t believe God still performs miracles.  I do because I have seen too many miraculous healings, like Gary’s, to attribute it to anything other than a benevolent, grace-filled God.

At my previous appointment as pastor of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, I was always amazed by the breathtakingly beautiful stained-glass windows in the sanctuary.
  
The window that intrigued me the most was a depiction of a hand coming out of a cloud, stretching up towards heaven.  It took me a long time to understand the window because the imagery didn’t make sense.  Then I got it.

The window had been installed upside down.

The hand in the window was supposed to be God’s hand reaching down out of the heavens and intervening in our lives.  I really like that.

Did you know God is working in your life today?  Just like Gary, you will have good times as well as bad, but you are blessed because a beautiful hand stretches down from the heavens to be an active presence in your life.  Even if you don’t see this hand in action, that does not mean it isn’t there.

No matter how heavy your burden, don’t think you are alone and don’t give up on God.  This is where we can learn from the patience of Job, or in my case, Gary.

The psalmist described God working in our lives with these beautiful words: “He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

Know that God is working in your life, and you will be blessed.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I am overwhelmed by life, remind me of your beautiful presence.  Give me faith, trust, and grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

This week, Garry meets with his surgeon to schedule his long-time coming surgery.

God is good.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins