The last few weeks have been difficult – Valentine’s and family Birthdays without Taylor, going through his things, traveling, illness, walking through grief with others. Weary and exhausted today, I asked God again for an extra ounce of strength in this very busy week. As usual, He faithful provided it in unexpected ways.
Two of my students’ and their mom are walking through the final stages of brain cancer with their dad. The younger of the two girls is in my elementary worship team. Knowing how much worship has been the key to my strength this year and realizing that this daddy had not ever seen his little girl help lead chapel, the Lord put in on mine and my co-director’s heart to take the worship team to their house today for a time of worship.
The first kiss from God came in the songs we had chosen to sing. They were not handpicked by us for this family. My co-director had chosen our list of songs to sing at the Rescue Mission the week before, so it was an easy decision to use all those songs for our visit today. But as we sang each of the 7 songs, it became evident that the Lord handpicked them for this family as the messages were specifically for their situation.
The second kiss, truly a miracle, from God came in the response from this father. He has not been able to talk very well for a month nor has he been able to speak at all for the past week. In each of the songs, he was able to mouth almost every word. From an old hymn to new worship songs, he participated silently and blessed each of us as we saw him connect with our Lord in pure worship. His wife watched with us in awe. The miracle of seeing that sweet man of God expressing his love for his Savior on his lips will be forever imprinted in my mind.
The concluding kiss came at the end. When we were done, we noticed a little statue on a nearby shelf that had our school theme for the month of March with our verse of the month: FAITH – Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” A perfect ending to a perfect moment planned by God.
Not only did I get that extra ounce (actually pounds) of strength, but our students and all of us were able to see the face of God and feel His love and encouragement in the midst of pain. We left with confidence and tearful joy that His love would remain there, wrapping this precious family in peace and comfort.
CARLA BARKLEY WOOD 