Today, I want to share a personal testimony with you, if I may.
Let me begin with this; my prayer life usually consists of prayers for those I love, for our partners, for the ministry and for my family – not necessarily in that order. And they are normally prayers for needs or praying the Word over these people and things.
I can’t remember the last time I prayed for a personal ‘want’ and not a need for me personally. I was raised by a single mom and had three sisters – our needs were met but there wasn’t a lot of extra.
After coming to know God, I have found Him faithful – He meets my needs and for that I am thankful…yet, there are very few things in life I ask for or seek that are not needs or necessities.
However, there are things I just love – I don’t know why – they just make me happy…here are a few of those…
I love quilts, old and new. Although I don’t own one yet, I love the old ones that feel they have been well loved. Honestly, I love most things handmade. I love vintage pinecone Christmas ornaments (thanks, Kelita!). I love snowmen. I love antiques. I love gifts that have deep meaning behind them. And in recent years, I have developed a love for Longaberger Baskets. I don’t know why – I just love them. This love has caused those who know me best to be on the lookout for these treasures.
Last week, I was home, studying when I received a call from Kelita. She asked if I was busy and I said, “No.” She then said she was going to facetime me and show me something. She proceeded to show me a table full of Longaberger Baskets an acquaintance of hers had given her for me – I was overwhelmed at this gift that came through Kelita and because of Kelita. I truly was. While I haven’t picked them up yet – they are mine and they are a gift from God.
What makes me think that? Why would I say they are a gift from God?
Well, you see, I had been studying about the love of God. The more I studied and listened to messages on this subject, the more I realized I didn’t have a very good revelation of His love for me – I had head knowledge but not heart revelation. I began to pray and ask God to show me His love for me in tangible ways – He certainly did. I can’t even tell you how many times I have looked at the picture of those baskets, amazed at the goodness of God.
A few days later, a picture that once hung on my wall came to mind, and I simply couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was a piece of artwork by Michael Dudash. The picture was of a woman praying and it had a scripture on it – the scripture at the bottom said, “He shall hear my voice.” I don’t know why, but I couldn’t get it off my mind. I began to search for it online only to find it was no longer in print. To purchase it was several hundred dollars…that is…if you could find it at all. Still, it stayed on my heart. I couldn’t seem to let it go.
Monday, I printed a copy of the framed print and put it on my prayer board as a desire – believing God would help me find one. Just a few hours later, someone knocked on my door. I opened the door to find my sister there and I could tell she had something behind her back. She slowly brought the surprise forward and handed it to me – it was that picture. I was speechless. I had no words. God had once again poured out His love toward me in a tangible way.
I know these two things would not mean anything to anyone else – but they both spoke volumes to me. They were tangible manifestations of the love of God toward me.
Do we know how much God loves us? Do we know He wants to pour that love out on us? Or do we just see Him as someone we go to when we have a need or when we need healing? He is so much more than that. He wants more than that from us.
I think about my grandkids. I love them dearly and I love spending time with them – making memories with them, but I also love to buy things for them, things I know they enjoy – just to show them how much I love them. God is the same way with us. He wants to pour out His love on us. All we have to do is ask.
My friends, I believe we are in a time when God wants to pour out His love on His people – in many ways. Can you believe that? Can you receive that? Ask God today to show you His love for you in tangible ways – He will. What He did for me, He will do for you. He wants to shower us with His amazing love – may we let Him do just that.
