glimmer of hope
i received a text message from my mom yesterday that made my day.
she shared something really neat that happened the other day recently. as you know, my mom suffers from double chronic pain conditions. she went out to have her nails done, but her regular place was closed, so she went to another nail place and ran into a Christian lady who did her nails for her. the lady was really kind and peaceful. they exchanged stories and cried together. the lady prayed over her, and actually spoke in tongues. and a miracle happened: mom's pain left her completely for 5 minutes. mom was so encouraged by that because she was in pain from doing errands, and this happened before she just had to go home to relax, so she was able to savor this blessing.
that miracle gave me an extra glimmer of hope to hold onto. for a long time, i've been praying for mom's healing. and through that small miracle, He reminded me that He's still capable of doing that.
He has been speaking to me about faith a lot recently. to trust in Him against all odds.
i don't know what He's thinking of, but i always seem to see Him use the weakest to shame other people. i have so many stories of my mom touching many people's lives, even though she could use some serious "touch" in her own life with her pain. i love the faith that my mother exhibits when she gives and gives without thinking, quietly trusting Him to provide. that's actually what He calls us to do- to lean on Him always, so we can give more than what we are humanely able- and through that, His glory is exhibited. i know that someday, my mother will be blessed for what she has given and done for so many. i'm reminded of how she ran into a lady one or two Christmases ago who asked for money, and mom inquired about her life and discovered that she had just fled an abusive boyfriend. mom promptly took her to a TGIF restaurant to bless her with a delicious dinner, not just few bucks. the lady cried, and thanked her for what she did.
recently, mom told me a beautiful story. she was at a bus terminal in Tacoma. the bus terminal in Tacoma usually are filled with odd people or people in poverty. mom saw a homeless man pilfering through garbage, and her heart broke for him. she went to him and offered her lunch, but the homeless man refused and left. mom's heart was so broken that she began crying. she sat down and continued to cry. a peddler who was playing a musical instrument plopped down next to her and said, "what's wrong, beautiful?" in a funny accent. mom explained through her tears. to offer his comfort, the peddler asked my mom if she wanted him to play any music piece. mom chose an old classic, an Old Tennessee song, or something like that. and they sang together, a peddler playing his musical instrument next to an attractive woman dressed sharply in a business suit and jacket.
when mom shared that story, i was touched by it. that story was so filled with life. and with love.
she shared something really neat that happened the other day recently. as you know, my mom suffers from double chronic pain conditions. she went out to have her nails done, but her regular place was closed, so she went to another nail place and ran into a Christian lady who did her nails for her. the lady was really kind and peaceful. they exchanged stories and cried together. the lady prayed over her, and actually spoke in tongues. and a miracle happened: mom's pain left her completely for 5 minutes. mom was so encouraged by that because she was in pain from doing errands, and this happened before she just had to go home to relax, so she was able to savor this blessing.
that miracle gave me an extra glimmer of hope to hold onto. for a long time, i've been praying for mom's healing. and through that small miracle, He reminded me that He's still capable of doing that.
He has been speaking to me about faith a lot recently. to trust in Him against all odds.
i don't know what He's thinking of, but i always seem to see Him use the weakest to shame other people. i have so many stories of my mom touching many people's lives, even though she could use some serious "touch" in her own life with her pain. i love the faith that my mother exhibits when she gives and gives without thinking, quietly trusting Him to provide. that's actually what He calls us to do- to lean on Him always, so we can give more than what we are humanely able- and through that, His glory is exhibited. i know that someday, my mother will be blessed for what she has given and done for so many. i'm reminded of how she ran into a lady one or two Christmases ago who asked for money, and mom inquired about her life and discovered that she had just fled an abusive boyfriend. mom promptly took her to a TGIF restaurant to bless her with a delicious dinner, not just few bucks. the lady cried, and thanked her for what she did.
recently, mom told me a beautiful story. she was at a bus terminal in Tacoma. the bus terminal in Tacoma usually are filled with odd people or people in poverty. mom saw a homeless man pilfering through garbage, and her heart broke for him. she went to him and offered her lunch, but the homeless man refused and left. mom's heart was so broken that she began crying. she sat down and continued to cry. a peddler who was playing a musical instrument plopped down next to her and said, "what's wrong, beautiful?" in a funny accent. mom explained through her tears. to offer his comfort, the peddler asked my mom if she wanted him to play any music piece. mom chose an old classic, an Old Tennessee song, or something like that. and they sang together, a peddler playing his musical instrument next to an attractive woman dressed sharply in a business suit and jacket.
when mom shared that story, i was touched by it. that story was so filled with life. and with love.