Unexpected Good
Been slowly changing things in my life, aiming to set my feet on the right path, given the things I believe. But that isn't exactly why I'm posting.
Relatives from my dad's side were in town over the weekend and wanted to visit with grandma to learn more about the family history and such. I was apprehensive about it because family ties...I dunno, never been a huge thing for me. It was a husband and wife, along with their daughter and...wow, they are some spiritually-alive family.
They certainly leaned on the charismatic side but not to the point that a world-experienced Presbyterian like myself was uncomfortable. (Note: I say it like this because I honestly that most of the members of the Pres. church I come from would be in complete shock. Me? I've seen God's power in amazing ways - as well as the very real and sometimes very physical warfare of Satan.) The topic of my MS came up and I found myself the center of attention which DOES make me uncomfortable.
They went on about how two people they know also had MS but they were healed. Now, let me pause and explain where I stand on healings. I don't disbelieve it but I've never applied it to myself, just never felt that it was for me. It's a sense of "Why me?" What makes me so special that I would be healed?
This family didn't have that same view, however, and before they left to head home, offered to lay hands on me. More than that, the wife explained their own Biblically-based view on it - that Christ's work of salvation was more than just saving souls, but addressing the physical affects sin has had on the world. I AM healed, just as I'm already saved the moment I believed, but there's still the process of sanctification, of becoming what I am.
As they laid hands on me and prayed with such a fervor I haven't seen perhaps ever, I praised God just for their words alone. I can't think of any greater encouragement than what I witnessed that night. Full healing would be great (though a hard thing to judge, considering how my MS remains dormant), but that wasn't all that was available to be gained. The Spirit was very real and very present.
I'm still reeling from it, trying to wrap my mind around what happened. To be the focus of so much love by people I barely knew - that is what Christianity is, the family of God coming together to lift each other up. We all share the same Father and so there are no strangers.
Reminds me why I love this song so much:
Relatives from my dad's side were in town over the weekend and wanted to visit with grandma to learn more about the family history and such. I was apprehensive about it because family ties...I dunno, never been a huge thing for me. It was a husband and wife, along with their daughter and...wow, they are some spiritually-alive family.
They certainly leaned on the charismatic side but not to the point that a world-experienced Presbyterian like myself was uncomfortable. (Note: I say it like this because I honestly that most of the members of the Pres. church I come from would be in complete shock. Me? I've seen God's power in amazing ways - as well as the very real and sometimes very physical warfare of Satan.) The topic of my MS came up and I found myself the center of attention which DOES make me uncomfortable.
They went on about how two people they know also had MS but they were healed. Now, let me pause and explain where I stand on healings. I don't disbelieve it but I've never applied it to myself, just never felt that it was for me. It's a sense of "Why me?" What makes me so special that I would be healed?
This family didn't have that same view, however, and before they left to head home, offered to lay hands on me. More than that, the wife explained their own Biblically-based view on it - that Christ's work of salvation was more than just saving souls, but addressing the physical affects sin has had on the world. I AM healed, just as I'm already saved the moment I believed, but there's still the process of sanctification, of becoming what I am.
As they laid hands on me and prayed with such a fervor I haven't seen perhaps ever, I praised God just for their words alone. I can't think of any greater encouragement than what I witnessed that night. Full healing would be great (though a hard thing to judge, considering how my MS remains dormant), but that wasn't all that was available to be gained. The Spirit was very real and very present.
I'm still reeling from it, trying to wrap my mind around what happened. To be the focus of so much love by people I barely knew - that is what Christianity is, the family of God coming together to lift each other up. We all share the same Father and so there are no strangers.
Reminds me why I love this song so much:
Click to view