Out of the blue, thoughts of a dear friend came to mind. I promptly sent a message to check in and she replied, “We’re doing well, except my husband is having heart surgery next week.” Well, that’s something. Amidst our back-and-forth banter, we shared thoughts and a good laugh or two. I assured her I’d pray for “both” of their hearts.
The day arrived and a sudden flash of light woke me well before the alarm. I lay there, stared at the ceiling until I decided to get an early start on my day. As I went about my normal routine, it hit me, “Wait! It’s surgery day!”
I quickly sent a prayer message and thought, “Glad I didn’t forget.” But sadly, I did. Thankfully God did not. I couldn’t help but wonder why He broke through my ordinary morning to remind me. He certainly doesn’t need my help with the miracle unfolding today. Yet, God knew it was important to me, to my friends and even more so to He, Himself. This reminded me of the story of the man lowered through the roof to reach Jesus.
When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:19-20
It was no simple task to get the paralyzed man up on the roof and it took the strength of many hands, both in muscle and faith to facilitate the miracle. Jesus healed the man because of “their“ collective faith. Perhaps that is why God reminded me; they needed another hand on the rope.
But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Luke 5:24-25
Lord, I pray you will do the same with my friend for I have held on to the rope and placed him at your feet.
Amen …
Reach out to me at John@LiftedKeys.com and tell me your story. I would love to know where and in what way God has guided His words through my pen.
If you like to turn a real page like I do, pick up a copy of Echoes Intertwined or my latest collection, Strings Interwoven
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