Just want to say, "Thank You!" to my God, my Father in Heaven! He is good, and His mercies endure forever...
If I had 10,000 tongues, I could not tell it all! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was VERY lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see!
The GREAT I AM reigns, Who was and is and is to come - What a mighty God I serve!
I just want to magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised!
Thank You, Lord - in the MIGHTY name of Jesus, by the Power of the Holy Spirit... Thank You for working with, in and through me! Continue, please dear Lord, creating within me a clean heart... KEEP ON renewing a RIGHT Spirit within me!
Hallelujah, Thine, the Glory!! I am revived! I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
SHOUTING! LIFTING HOLY HANDS! Anointing, fall on me!!!
Amen! And, amen!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Miss Carmen
I met her this morning. After figuring out the best way to get back home from handling some business (my trek included a cab a two buses), I met a woman named Carmen at the bus stop. It was a frigid morning, and I'd bundled myself up pretty well in my hooded down jacket, neck scarf, turtle neck sweater, wool blazer, head wrap, gloves and long skivvies under my jeans...down to the woolen socks and fur lined booties. We exchanged pleasantries, and she explained to me about the buses I'd take to my destination. Actually, we were going in the same direction. It was my first time traveling in that part of the city, so I told her I would gladly follow her lead.
Miss Carmen was dressed for the weather, too. Knit cap, neck scarf, huge coat, jeans and sneakers. She told me she had on three pairs of gloves. She had several teeth missing, and the ones that were left were rotten. Carmen spoke in between puffs on the cigarette she held poised between two fingers of her right hand. She told me she was late for work, and was very upset with herself for not getting up on time.
I soon learned that "work" was panhandling at a specific intersection on the other side of town, an area I know well - to which Carmen takes two buses every day. Carmen also told me she sleeps on the floor at the home of her son and daughter-in-law. "I only sleep there. It's temporary. Too cold outside now. My son lets me stay there; he's helping me out. His wife don't want me there." Miss Carmen's weather-worn face seemed to soften when she told me about her 6 grandchildren. "I have one grandson; all the rest, girls. They love their Nana."
She said, "Excuse me, but I'm homeless. I hope that doesn't offend you." I stood there in semi-paralysis; cause there was something about her that grabbed me instantly. That's when I noticed her opened backpack and her cardboard sign folded inside; I supposed she also had water and a few other provisions for the day. I told her I was honored to be speaking with her today. Miss Carmen shared a great many things as we waited for our first bus. That same son who is helping her out, works day labor - and there's no heat on in the house. But the children are fed and their clothes are clean. Miss Carmen said she's two years clean and sober. She used to do crack. Her husband died suddenly in March of this year - two weeks before her birthday. She buried him on her birthday. My birthday is also in March. You know I asked her... and we learned we share a birthday. Strangely, I wasn't surprised. We are close in age- again, no surprise. The Lord was showing me something.
When we got on the first bus, Carmen began to testify...said she prays to the Lord every day. She said she asks Him to provide for her for that day, and that day only - and He always does. "He makes sure I have bus fare to get to work and enough to buy some food. I only sleep at my son's, like I told you. You know I take two buses; both ways." She said she needed some assistance with the Social Security Administration and explained the matter - it's something I know about, so I shared the resources with her. We transferred to the second bus, talking the whole way. "Come on, Miss Bridget, let's get 30 more minutes of warmth on this bus! It's cold out here!" She said she's working on her life to do better, as God gives her strength - and today, she was going to her intersection to get Christmas presents for her grandbabies. "The store owners and even the security guards where I work have given me Target gift cards. Those are the best! My babies can get something nice. I hope I get a few of those today."
There was something about Miss Carmen that touched me deeply. A kind of awe, and maybe the word is compassion. It was not pity. I found myself amazed by her; the things she knew - her outlook on life. She possesses a simple faith that is at once extremely powerful. She blessed me. Profoundly.
Miss Carmen pulled the cord for my stop ("because it's tricky when you get over in this area - two stops close together like this") - and I was almost sad to leave. We had packed a lot of stories, yea, testimonies in the space of an hour and some change this morning - I was an active listener. I thanked her for sharing with me. She said, "I'm going to tell people that I met a good lady today named Miss Bridget, who really blessed me!" I told her that I would definitely do the same. She rose with me as I got ready to depart, and we embraced. I'd been low key fumbling around with a sum of money in my gloved hand (money I'd previously felt I absolutely needed right now) - not wanting to offend her. But I clumsily pressed it into her 3-gloved hand in a parting handshake, anyway. Miss Carmen was rocked backward into her seat as the bus came to my stop. She saw the money, and the tears came streaming down. She held my hand in both of hers and thanked me profusely. I was relieved that I hadn't offended her; I knew she had not been expecting anything from me.
Our connection was ordained because I was teetering on the edge of a place of discouragement, worry, and ungratefulness. It's so easy to "go there." And the Lord arranged it so this lady and I could meet and be of encouragement to one another. "There, but for the grace of God, go I." But even more than that - Miss Carmen's faith showed me that I need to step up my faith experience.
God bless and keep you safe, Miss Carmen. I fully expect to see you again, young lady!
Miss Carmen was dressed for the weather, too. Knit cap, neck scarf, huge coat, jeans and sneakers. She told me she had on three pairs of gloves. She had several teeth missing, and the ones that were left were rotten. Carmen spoke in between puffs on the cigarette she held poised between two fingers of her right hand. She told me she was late for work, and was very upset with herself for not getting up on time.
I soon learned that "work" was panhandling at a specific intersection on the other side of town, an area I know well - to which Carmen takes two buses every day. Carmen also told me she sleeps on the floor at the home of her son and daughter-in-law. "I only sleep there. It's temporary. Too cold outside now. My son lets me stay there; he's helping me out. His wife don't want me there." Miss Carmen's weather-worn face seemed to soften when she told me about her 6 grandchildren. "I have one grandson; all the rest, girls. They love their Nana."
She said, "Excuse me, but I'm homeless. I hope that doesn't offend you." I stood there in semi-paralysis; cause there was something about her that grabbed me instantly. That's when I noticed her opened backpack and her cardboard sign folded inside; I supposed she also had water and a few other provisions for the day. I told her I was honored to be speaking with her today. Miss Carmen shared a great many things as we waited for our first bus. That same son who is helping her out, works day labor - and there's no heat on in the house. But the children are fed and their clothes are clean. Miss Carmen said she's two years clean and sober. She used to do crack. Her husband died suddenly in March of this year - two weeks before her birthday. She buried him on her birthday. My birthday is also in March. You know I asked her... and we learned we share a birthday. Strangely, I wasn't surprised. We are close in age- again, no surprise. The Lord was showing me something.
When we got on the first bus, Carmen began to testify...said she prays to the Lord every day. She said she asks Him to provide for her for that day, and that day only - and He always does. "He makes sure I have bus fare to get to work and enough to buy some food. I only sleep at my son's, like I told you. You know I take two buses; both ways." She said she needed some assistance with the Social Security Administration and explained the matter - it's something I know about, so I shared the resources with her. We transferred to the second bus, talking the whole way. "Come on, Miss Bridget, let's get 30 more minutes of warmth on this bus! It's cold out here!" She said she's working on her life to do better, as God gives her strength - and today, she was going to her intersection to get Christmas presents for her grandbabies. "The store owners and even the security guards where I work have given me Target gift cards. Those are the best! My babies can get something nice. I hope I get a few of those today."
There was something about Miss Carmen that touched me deeply. A kind of awe, and maybe the word is compassion. It was not pity. I found myself amazed by her; the things she knew - her outlook on life. She possesses a simple faith that is at once extremely powerful. She blessed me. Profoundly.
Miss Carmen pulled the cord for my stop ("because it's tricky when you get over in this area - two stops close together like this") - and I was almost sad to leave. We had packed a lot of stories, yea, testimonies in the space of an hour and some change this morning - I was an active listener. I thanked her for sharing with me. She said, "I'm going to tell people that I met a good lady today named Miss Bridget, who really blessed me!" I told her that I would definitely do the same. She rose with me as I got ready to depart, and we embraced. I'd been low key fumbling around with a sum of money in my gloved hand (money I'd previously felt I absolutely needed right now) - not wanting to offend her. But I clumsily pressed it into her 3-gloved hand in a parting handshake, anyway. Miss Carmen was rocked backward into her seat as the bus came to my stop. She saw the money, and the tears came streaming down. She held my hand in both of hers and thanked me profusely. I was relieved that I hadn't offended her; I knew she had not been expecting anything from me.
Our connection was ordained because I was teetering on the edge of a place of discouragement, worry, and ungratefulness. It's so easy to "go there." And the Lord arranged it so this lady and I could meet and be of encouragement to one another. "There, but for the grace of God, go I." But even more than that - Miss Carmen's faith showed me that I need to step up my faith experience.
God bless and keep you safe, Miss Carmen. I fully expect to see you again, young lady!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Today is my husband's birthday...
And miracles are happening! Some small, gradually, by increments. Some, complete 180-degree turnarounds- quickly. I hear about them; I've seen them, and know there's a spiritual transformation taking place in the lives of those who have no idea they're being lifted in prayer daily (I've enlisted other prayer warriors to intercede for these dear souls)- across the country! I can see the changes in my husband; in his willingness to boldly profess his love for Christ - and how he, indeed, is being molded and made new by the Potter - and loving it! Thrills my soul when he testifies about how the Lord hears and answers specific prayers! God shows Himself to Bruce, and Bruce can "see" God at work, literally keeping him. I love the joy, the peace that has replaced the worry and doubt on my husband's countenance. Because his faith is stronger, he trusts and has confidence that the Lord's got him, no matter what the situation appears to be. It's personal; intimate, magnificent!
This year, 2013, has been a time of transition, change - growth. All of it, God ordained. I am grateful for the lessons the Lord is teaching me - and so thankful to know without a doubt, that He's using someone like me - faults and all - to share His message of love, repentance, forgiveness and eternal life. Our purpose as a couple is ministry. It's our desire to reach out to others with the message of hope. God's bringing more individuals into a deeper knowledge of Himself and how real and wonderful He truly is. We've joined Him in this work; we want people to know and receive that the life we can have in Him is far richer and more abundant than any temporal enticements this world has to offer.
Today is Bruce's birthday. I bless the Lord and give glory to God for placing within this man a heart that desires to know and love Him more! It really doesn't get better than that, this side of Heaven!
Amen!
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