Friday, January 23, 2015. Good morning Facebook friends, family, and kin. Today is a special day. On this day, quite a few years ago, somewhere in the wee hours of the morning Margie Barkley Vick and C. T. Vick, Jr. became the proud parents of a bouncing baby girl. Making her debut, weighing in at 7 pounds and 14 ounces this baby girl began her unique journey to fulfill the purpose established by God even before her conception. Yes, that baby girl was me! Today is my birthday! For some reason I didn’t sleep very well last night. In fact, I hardly slept any at all. Oh, nothing was wrong, I probably just drank too much coffee a little too late in the afternoon. I finally turned on a tape I like to listen to and laid there and thought about my life. If I had to give it a title, I decided it would be something along the lines of Clint Eastwood’s famous movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”. Like everyone I know, there have been wonderfully good times, some not so good, and then those that were just down-right ugly and need to be buried forever and never remembered again. Thankfully, I don’t have but a couple of those type memories and all in all I will say I have had a very good life. Most of the “not so good times” came about because I made a bad decision or didn’t obey what God told me to do. I’ve pretty well learned my lesson in that area. Now, when He speaks to my heart I get busy doing whatever it is He wants me to do. I’ve learned I don’t have to understand and it doesn’t always have to make sense. You can’t read very much in the Bible without realizing God expects people to do things just because He says do it, not because it’s rational. Take Gideon for example. Seriously, did it make sense to attack an army of thousands with only 300 men armed with pitchers, torches, and trumpets? Not hardly. But this is not about Gideon, this is about me! As I walked down memory lane I realized this past year has probably been the most difficult of all my years but at the same time in some ways the very best. The highlight was being able to live and enjoy for almost 7 months the 24/7 companionship of my dear friend Marejohn. I am so thankful God allowed me to spend those months with her. Her short term memory was so affected by the dementia, she couldn’t remember that I lived with her and every afternoon she would ask me if I would come and spend the night with her. Even though the fact I stayed every night escaped her, each night before we went to sleep, without fail, she would say “Deb, honey, I love you so much and I appreciate what you’re doing for me.” I loved being with her. Our times of sharing about Jesus, ministry, prayers, afternoon walks, and daily talks were precious to both of us. These were without doubt the “best” times but they were too short-lived. The “worst” was to follow. The time came when I could no longer adequately care for her due to the acceleration of the dementia and a serious development in my own health. What followed was the “worst” part of the year and one of the very worst parts of my life. In silence, at home, alone I was overwhelmed by grief; a grieving much worse than I had ever experienced. God must have meant for me to totally lean on Him during this time because it seemed only a couple of people really acknowledged the intensity of the emotional pain I was experiencing. The impression I got from most was that I should have been able to just pick up and go on with life as if nothing had happened. Had it not been for God’s grace in sending new people into my life I might not have survived. The other most significant event of the year, and in my life, was the sudden acute liver failure that landed me in the hospital for 14 days. Actually, I think I if God had not had other plans for my life, I would have moved into my heavenly mansion. It took a toll on my physical body that is still requiring attention but I am stronger each day. The doctor says it will probably take a full year before I am totally recovered but I am consistently moving in that direction. All of you prayed and God worked miracles. And as Paul Harvey always said, “And, now for the rest of the story…” I can finally get to the “best” part. God has opened the doors for ministry that I have desired for many, many years. It is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. He blesses and uses me in such a unique way. It’s hard to describe – you just have to experience it for yourself to really understand. For lack of a better term to describe it, I call it personal sermonettes straight from God to you. The Lord will put an impression in my heart and based on that impression I will share whatever words come out of my spirit. He uses these to encourage, exhort, and comfort on an individual basis. It’s really amazing to experience God in this way. He uses me as His mouthpiece to help mend broken hearts and wounded spirits. He uses me to encourage the cultivation of a personal relationship with Him; that He will never leave or forsake you. He speaks words of life, health, and healing into the Body of Christ. Each week, almost daily, I am seeing miracles and hearing testimonies of hearts being touched and lives being changed. The confirmation that I have spoken encouragement into a life is a very humbling experience. As I look back over my life, I can see God’s hand at work; teaching me and preparing me for what He has me doing now. Everything I have experienced is working to help me minister to others in similar situations. I know in my knower that I am indeed fulfilling the purpose for which I was created. Thank you, Jesus for allowing me to be born into a loving and supportive family. Thank you, Jesus for putting such wonderful people in my life. Thank you, Jesus for choosing me to help You make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you, Jesus for another wonderful year that has passed and I look forward with great hope and anticipation of wonderful things in the year to come. I know that Jesus wants to fill your year with wonderful blessings, too. Open your heart and receive from Him. I invite you to check out my website and pray about joining me in one of the meetings if I am anywhere close to where you live. And, always remember, “Jesus Loves You!”
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Thanks for checking out my website and coming to my blog page. I pray you will be blessed and encouraged by the things I share. Have a great day! Deb Archives
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