Day Six

Don't give up five minutes before your miracle.

This was a story on the Today show this morning as I got off of work. I thought about that on my walk. It poured. I mean down poured and I thought about stopping. But then I thought...what if I stop 5 minutes before my miracle. I came back and changed out of the wet clothes and went back out.  I walked four more miles. I thought how easy it is to think about giving up.

Can you imagine the Apostles standing with Jesus when He told them to take two loaves and five fish and feed the crowd ? Think about you standing there, with those loves and fish in your hands ...looking at Jesus and then at the crowd. I am sure they looked at each other...eye brows raised... they were human after all. The fleeting thoughts that must have gone through their heads. And then turning to the crowd. The first step towards the crowds ....the first step of faith...

Now imagine if they gave up 5 minutes before the miracle...

Once again, you could point to many of the people of the bible. That moment of faith...to build an ark ...to part the Red Sea...to find the promised land...to place you hands on the eyes of a blind man. That moment...when you move towards the miracle. You make the step of faith...

Imagine Paul and Silas in the jail, beat up, bruised, and chained to wall...only to become conscious to realize they had not died. Even in the worst moments of their life they praised God anyway. Singing and worshiping as loud as they can. Imagine what it must have felt like when the walls started to break. Imagine if they had given up.

A few years ago, my mom called me to tell me my aunt was in the hospital. She was not doing well and they expected her to die. I tried to find a way to go and see her. It so happens it is one of the busiest weeks I ever had at work. I was at four meetings in four days. The only day I had was Wednesday and on that day I had a lot of preparation for the following days. I finally made it too my mom's Wednesday evening and she shared that my aunt was going to go to a hospice hospital. I knew being a nurse time was short. I began to ask some questions about my aunt's faith. I knew she was protestant. My mom didn't know much.

My mom was curious to know why I wanted to know. Now my mother is Irish catholic and we have argued a few times about my beliefs. She believed that if you are born catholic you die catholic. I chose my words carefully, telling her I wanted to know that Auntie Martha would have a chance to go to heaven. I shared stories I had from work over the last several years about praying with people before they died. Well she nodded and listened I knew she was not getting it. And then the Holy Spirit took over.

I shared a story that happened ten years before. Knowing how strong she felt about my being born again I had never shared it. I told her about a family friend Larry who had died. That I was at work and just knew I had to go and visit Larry in the hospital. He was in ICU. I got in my car and drove there. I prayed on the way, God you will have to make a way because I am not family and they may not let me in. When I arrived, Larry's brothers were coming out of the ICU and said..go in Evelyn. I walked in and there was a nurse at Larry's bedside. I took a deep breath and explained that I was there to pray with him. She turned and looked at me and said Oh good! I have prayed all day for someone to come and pray. His brothers don't get it. She pulled the curtain around the bed and said take all the time you need. I did. I told Larry about Jesus. he was unconscious,but I know he heard me. Larry died the next day and I know I will see him in heaven.

My mother began weeping while I told the story. It was a "God moment". I told her how important it was for everyone to go to heaven. I could not go to visit Auntie Martha and there was no one that could go but her. It was a "mission from God". She said what do I do...I prayed. This was a hard one. How do I get her to understand the Salvation prayer and everything and she not a Christian herself. I told her to ask Auntie Martha if she knew where she was going...if she did..she would say..Heaven, Home , to be with Jesus. If she said no...then tell her to put Jesus in her heart.

It had to be that simple for her to do. Well she did and my Aunt opened her eyes and said no. My mother told her to put Jesus in her heart. Then they all stood around her and prayed the Our Father. She died later that night.It was hard for my mother to do this. She cried and cried. She cried telling me. But I told her imagine...Auntie Martha is in heaven.

Now if we stopped right there ...praise God! Another soul saved.

But that's not the end. Every where my mom went for the next several weeks she asked people ..do you know where your going...all her friends, at the service for my Aunt, baby showers...she told and told....

I laughed delighted.. I said to God...only You could get my Irish catholic mother to witness for Jesus. Imagine if I gave up 5 minutes before my miracle...

It was a great walk..even in the rain...I carried someone's grocery's to help her to her apartment. I have heard from many of you that cannot post here...I am encouraged and blessed and walking towards my miracle.