June 5, 2018
A Close Call
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (Mark 10:15, NIV).
Friend to Friend
When I answered the phone and heard the frantic edge in my husband’s voice saying, “I’m okay! I’m okay!” I knew he was not okay.
My husband has had heart problems for years. I know a lot about irregular heartbeats, a fib, cardio versions, heart ablations, and defibrillators. When his heart is not in a normal rhythm, he experiences a shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, and cannot climb even a few stairs without wheezing. That is normal for us when he is in a fib. But we soon learned that this time around, he was also dealing with a drastic drop in blood pressure – to the point that he blacks out for a minute or two.
Dan was on his way to work when he blacked out. The sound of his truck mowing down road signs woke him up. The rearview mirror was history as was the driver’s side window. The road sign crushed the entire side of the truck, leaving metal, glass, and truck parts strewn across the grass. Fortunately, it was only an access road and his was the only vehicle on it at the time. What lay just ahead was a 70 MPH freeway. Dan did not have a scratch on him, but If he had blacked out on the interstate, well … let’s not go there.
After talking with Dan’s cardiologist, we headed to the emergency room where Dan was admitted for tests before having a cardio version to get his heart back in rhythm. I called both kids to let them know what had happened. We all celebrated God’s protection for Dan.
Later that afternoon, our daughter called to check on her dad. “Mom, what time did the accident happen?” Danna asked. “About 8:30 this morning,” I replied. “That explains it,” she said. “When I picked Hudson up from school and told him what happened, he grinned and said, “Well, I guess it’s a good thing my prayer circle prayed for Papa this morning.” When she asked Hudson what time they had prayed for Papa, he said, “At 8:30. We always pray at 8:30.”
The faith of a child can move mountains and surround an old red truck with fluffy angels. This is not the first miracle Hudson and his brother Justus have asked God to work in their Papa’s life. And I’m sure it won’t be the last.
God wants us to come to Him in prayer with a childlike faith of a child – a wholehearted, confident, enthusiastic, and certain assurance that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He promises to do.
Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says that even a tiny amount of faith pleases Him. “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, grows into a large tree. We don't need a lot of faith. God says that if our faith is even the size of a tiny mustard seed to achieve miracles. Why? Because our God is an awesome God and our faith depends on Him!
Step out in childlike faith … put your trust in God ... and wait for your first miracle.
Let’s Pray
Father, I come to You today. My faith is small, but I am placing it in You, Lord. Help me grow into a fully devoted follower that pleases and honors You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is the greatest problem in your life today?
What step do you need to take to face that problem with faith instead of fear?
What is keeping you from trusting God and stepping out in faith?
More from the Girlfriends
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Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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