Series: Always Relevant: God Is
Psalm 117:1-2 MSG
Welcome to God’s house with a dap and Praise God.
Psalm 117:1-2,
“Praise God, everybody!Applaud God, all people!His love has taken over our lives;God’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!”
I remember visiting different churches in Minneapolis/St. Paul when I was in Seminary. Many of the churches I visited were suggested by classmates. I was told the people were really open to strangers and they made others feel welcome.
They did dap when people came in.
They were genuinely welcoming and even though I was older than many of them, they made me feel like I belonged.
I’ve also lived in places where people in the community are not so welcoming to strangers. I’ve been a pastor’s wife in places that did welcome me and in places that were distant with me.
I’m okay either way. That’s because I always figured that God didn’t send me there to please people. God called me there to serve Him.
That was always my focus.
I remember one church we went to that was a downtown historic church in a fairly large town.
The first Sunday after we moved there was a little overwhelming. After church my husband was in the back shaking everyone’s hands on their way out of church.
That’s always been my time to check on my kids and make sure they’re okay. My youngest son was going into junior high school and my daughter (the oldest) was a Freshman in college. The other two boys were 10th and 12th Grades. The only one I needed to check on was my youngest son.
As I was about to make my exit, a line of women formed to meet me so I signaled my oldest son to check on his youngest brother.
Once a line formed it grew.
One by one each woman gave me her name and background in church. Each one told me they just KNEW we would be best friends.
I was a bit overwhelmed!
While I knew their welcoming words were a good thing I was starting to feel uneasy. Each woman took time to talk a bit and by the time I got to the last woman I realized an hour had passed. I was getting tired.
I knew their comments were well-meant but I’m not the kind of person who collects friends. My youngest son is an extreme extrovert and he can never have too many friends. One or two has been quite enough for me.
The last woman in line stepped forward and she gently shook my hand. She told me her name and she laughed and said, “I want you to know that I will pray for you and I will love you, but you might want to consider NOT being my friend.”
I looked at her and smiled. I said, “Oh, and why would that be?”
She lowered her head and whispered, “I have a reputation for being a bit of a rebel…”
I smiled.
It was a dap moment.
I took her hand and whispered back, “Oh my dear, soooo do I.”
That, my friends was the beginning of a friendship that lasted.
We lived in that town just over six years, and she was my inspiration. She was a musician, a dedicated wife and mother, and a great pray-er.”
She was my prayer partner and my dear dear friend and companion for 22 years.
When my marriage fell apart she was there to pray me through it. She was always there for me (and vice versa) day and night.
Last year she went to be with Jesus.
The day she died I received word that she was not doing well. I lived 5 and a half hours away but I prayed all day without stopping. Around 7 pm I saw a portal open to heaven and I knew she was gone. I felt the separation. I wept for hours.
While I was happy that she was with Jesus, I missed her. I wished I could have gone with her.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. I am more grateful for the time I had with her than I can say.
I Praise God for her. I applaud God for her life. Her love for God filled my life and comforted me. I know God’s faithful ways for both of us are eternal. I WILL see her again.
Throughout eternity, she will be my best buddy. She IS my rebel partner for God.
Spiritual Practice: Praise God
Praise God for a great blessing in your life.
In God, Deborah
Comments