A good friend of Piper’s had come over to spend some time
with her, so I was free to go out and run a few errands. Since I only had a few necessary grocery
items to pick up, I decided to do something different and shop at Target
instead of our neighborhood Safeway. As
I was pushing my cart away from the register after purchasing everything on my list,
I absent mindedly began to take notice of all the couples who were shopping and
talking together in the store, walking through the parking lot hand in hand and
driving in their cars while glancing at each other to laugh and smile as they
lived life in unity.
The reality and pain that I do not have that oneness of
plan and purpose in living the joys of this life with my wife right now hit me
like a brick falling from the sky. The
effects of the Alzheimer’s in combination with the related medications that she
is on has caused her to be pretty quiet and not real responsive to outside stimuli.
As uncontrolled emotions began to
overrun my senses, I made a quick beeline to the car. I tossed in the bags of groceries and sat
heavily in the front seat.
Now while the crowed parking lot at Target may not seem
to be the most reflective and healing atmosphere for one going through a rough
moment, it was for a few moments, as if I was in another place as the peace of
God flooded my soul. As I reached out to
Him, He met my cry with an immediate sense of His presence. He lovingly reminded me that He is true to
his Word and that He is not YET done with my wife or me. As various scripture promises paraded through
my mind, I rapidly came back to the understanding of how important it is for me
(and every Christian!) to keep my
focus and attention on Jesus and NOT on what I see that might
be contrary to His Word.
After a few moments alone with Him, I started the car and
took the long way home through the rural hills of Bennett Valley that separate
the southern reaches of our city from the area that we live in. As I meandered through the trees, country
homes, vineyards and vast landscapes that opened up before me, I remembered ALL
the times in the past where the Lord had proven Himself to be faithful to me
and my family. Through the pleasant times
and the rough periods, He ALWAYS met our every need and faith-filled
requests.
When I pulled into our park like neighborhood a little
while later I could not help but smile as I confidently KNEW that Jesus who is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews
13:8 God’s Word ©) will do the SAME for us in this experience in
our lives. And while this is by far the
greatest test and tribulation that we have ever faced, His love, His
faithfulness and His Word is still true and more powerful than ANYTHING
that we may find ourselves involved with!
Like the Word says: “Christ
brings meaning to your life…” He is
the purpose and the plan of our existence.
I now know more than ever the importance of keeping my focus upon Him
instead of the people, places and things that are a part of my life. He is the one to keep the balance and the
peace. My unyielding trust and faith in
Him allows Him to continue to work His perfect plan and purpose in me as well
as in those I care for.
Have a GREAT day! Keep
your focus upon Him and in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”
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