I remember the first time I laid eyes on her. My eyes were red and swollen from crying, and her smile was full, yet tender. Her eyes spoke to me…they knew my pain. She opened her arms, and we hugged for the first time. I knew who she was, even though I’d never met her before. We had a mutual friend, who told her about me. She wanted to be there for me on this day, in particular. This was the day of my late husband’s funeral.
Just nine months prior, Kathy also said goodbye to her husband, Fred, following his tragic suicide. She was already that much more ahead of me on Grief Road. She knew the awfulness of the days ahead, and she could pray for me like few others could. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit drew us together.
I remember when she drove to the house one evening to visit with me. It had been several weeks since Chris had died. She knew the time would come when we would need this time together. The time had arrived indeed. She stayed and talked/prayed with me for hours, but yet it only felt like a few minutes. When she spoke, I felt as if the Lord God Himself was speaking to me. I knew He gave her the words to share. Again, such tenderness…yet boldness (an example of the lion and the lamb rolled into one)!
Kathy had her share of bad days. I remember several times the Lord prompted me to pray for her, and without fail, I would discover later (often just in reading her Facebook posts) the very reason for the prayer prompting. At the same time, I could see and sense the Lord brewing a mighty work in Kathy. You see – Kathy also spent her share of time in “deep waters”, much like me. God had already reached for her…He had already rescued her…and, He has restored her and is continuing do so until He calls her home!
Fast forward a couple years, Kathy is this very day in the nation of Pakistan! Yes…you read that right…Pakistan! She’s teaching these hungry people all about Abba! She’s living out a restored life! I’ve been following her status updates, looking at all of her pictures, interceding in prayer for her while she’s away. Just yesterday morning, we were chatting on Facebook, and Kathy made the comment, “Would you have believed what He is doing through both of us?”
In my finite mind…definitely not. But, in my Spirit-filled mind…absolutely!
God is Who He says He is! He will do what He says He can do! Kathy (and I) are living proof of His miraculous power! Only God, my friends. Only God!
Thank you for sharing this today….. Truly beautiful and just what I needed. Your words. “God is Who He says He is!! And He will do what He says He can do! ” spoke straight into my heart… . I have been feeling distant from God of late,,, feeling insignificant, like a nobody,… like that why bother God isn’t going to answer my prayers,,, He doesn’t really care about me…… (even though I heard in my spirit an answer,,, I have told myself it was my voice instead of Gods… (seems the demons like that attitude!!) Anyways thanks I again.. I am turning myself around back into Gods arms and asking the holy spirit to quiet the voices in my mind, so I can hear only GODS!!! Praise to you today. kathy
Thank you Kathy for sharing of your own struggles in this area. It’s helpful for all of us to see that the daily trials we encounter as we continue to follow Christ Jesus. He never promised it would be easy, but He also promised to be with us every step of the way (even when we feel He’s not there). I love that the same God that rescued Jesus from the grave is the same God that walks with me daily! He’s the same yesterday…today…and forever! You go girl! He’s got you in the palm of His hand!