Category: Life

Face to Face

A remarkable event occurred recently at a wedding in England. The bridegroom, a very wealthy young man of high social standing, had been blinded by an accident at the age of ten. In spite of his blindness, he had graduated from the university with honors and had now won the heart of his beautiful bride, although he had never looked upon her face. Shortly before his marriage he underwent a new round of treatments by specialists, and the result was ready to be revealed on the day of his wedding.

The big day arrived, with all the guests and their presents. In attendance were cabinet ministers, generals, bishops, and learned men and women. The groom, dressed for the wedding but with his eyes still covered by bandages, rode to the church with his father. His famous ophthalmologist met them in the vestry of the church.

The bride entered the church on the arm of her white-haired father. She was so moved, she could hardly speak. Would the man she loved finally see her face – a face others admired but he knew only through the touch of his delicate fingertips?

As she neared the altar, while the soft strains of the wedding march floated through the church, she saw an unusual group. There before her stood the groom, his father, and the doctor. The doctor was in the process of cutting away the last bandage.

Once the bandage was removed, the groom took a step forward, yet with the trembling uncertainty of someone who is not completely awake. A beam of rose-colored light from a pane in the window above the altar fell across his face, but he did not seem to see it.

Could he see anything? Yes! Recovering in an instant his steadiness and demeanor, and with a dignity and joy never before seen on his face, he stepped forward to meet his bride. They looked into each other’s eyes, and it seemed as if his gaze would never wander from her face.

“At last!” she said. “At last,” he echoed solemnly, bowing his head. It was a scene with great dramatic power, as well as one of great joy.

Yet as beautiful as this story is, it is but a mere suggestion of what will actually take place in heaven when Christians, who have been walking through this world of trial and sorrow, “shall see [HIM] face to face” (1 Corinthians 13.12).

~ taken from Streams in the Desert, by L. B. Cowman, March 27th entry

Photo Credit: Ibrahim Asad

Three Prayers Answered

So my last post was about unanswered prayer. Right on its heels comes this post, which is about three prayers that were all answered in the same day. God definitely works in mysterious ways. 🙂

Monday I began my first day of school at a local Institute to learn Microsoft Office and Quickbooks. It was the culmination of months of prayer and hard work. I had sought direction for a viable career plan, along with financial assistance to achieve that plan, through an agency for vocational rehabilitation. However I met with a lot of red tape in the beginning, instead of the progress that I was hoping and praying for. But thankfully, my counselor and I decided on a career plan and she was able to get my schooling funded! I was ecstatic, but still nervous about actually starting school. Well, I had a great first day of class, and I’m looking forward to the rest of my training. Prayer number one: answered.

The second prayer involved my Steeped Tea business, A Heart for Tea. I had been very anxious about how everything would work out, but Monday there was a mini breakthrough. I was able to complete an online “ParTEA” and submit an order through which I actually made a commission, along with earning free products! The process of getting to that point was not easy, and I know that I will need to continue to take small steps forward…but it’s a little victory, and for this answered prayer I am grateful!

Lastly, our church hand-bell choir has been practicing a more difficult song to play for Easter services. I had been attempting to focus on having fun and allowing myself to make mistakes, which was helpful. I practiced at home to try to learn my part better, but I still had difficulties at our practices. Monday afternoon I was able to find a way to get my part down, and I did fairly well at our practice! I was so proud of myself – but the credit really goes to God, who enabled me to play to the best of my ability and to play well.

I know these may seem like small things, but to me they were huge. I’m also learning that just because a prayer isn’t answered right away or “just the way I want it to be,” doesn’t mean that it won’t be answered. God has His ways and He has perfect timing. I’m just blessed to be a part of His lovingly orchestrated plan. ❤

Photo Credit: Aundre Larrow

Unanswered Prayer

I had a pretty intense prayer session with God recently. I was quite hopeful, even almost certain, that God would answer in a positive way. But as of right now, the answer hasn’t been what I had anticipated.

It’s really difficult when this happens. It sometimes makes you (or at least me) doubt God, wonder if you prayed the right way, and maybe even get a bit angry. The truth is, I don’t know why God didn’t answer my prayers the way I was hoping. But I DO know that He is in control, that He knows what’s best, and that He is working things out for my good as I love and trust Him.

God sees the big picture, and I don’t. I really just need to trust Him right now.

Is there something that you’ve been praying for, hoping for with all of your heart, that hasn’t been answered the way that you’d like? Don’t give up. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. And keep surrendering to His will. He won’t give His children a stone when we ask for bread (Luke 11:1-13 NKJV).

Photo Credit: Joshua Earle