Since Kelly did the tough post (whew), I’m going to share some thoughts on “feeling” the power of prayer or maybe better said, I’ll share some thoughts on being aware of the power of other people’s prayers for you. Coupled to that, I will share with you one way the Lord has been getting the Breidenbach’s ready for this trip…,without us even knowing it (at least while it was happening) – the post may seem a bit convoluted as your read but I’ll try to pull it all together at the end.
Feeling the Power of Prayer:
Here’s how it all started, as I remember anyway: Kelly and I went to Adoration at our Parish in Napoleon on Friday morning at 5am. As we walked through the door, one of our friends met us as he was leaving and wished us safe travels…, then he said: “We’ve been praying for you and know we’ll keep praying for you while you’re over there….then he gave us a hug.” By way of metaphor, it felt like I was a balloon at that moment and the “breath of God” entered the balloon to start expanding it. As we knelt and prayed ourselves, another of our friends who happened to be praying before Jesus turned back to Kelly and I and waved….I was suddenly aware in my Spirit that she wasn’t just waving a greeting but sending us grace (wow, I can hardly see the screen through the tears in my eyes right now), “the breath of God” expanded the balloon a bit more. Another friend of ours was sitting across the aisle and I became aware that she, too, had been bringing us before Jesus – the balloon expanded more. I was reminded in almost an instant of the many people that had said the words “we’re praying for you” and the sensation of that reality continued.
We left the church and drove to our home, the balloon continued to expand as more and more people started their day and remembered us to God. On the way to the airport we received a text from some dear friends and I could feel the balloon continue to expand. Facebook posts, emails, etc.. ., all had the same effect. Over and over God breathed into us. .
God getting us ready:
You may not know this but neither Kelly nor I are travelers. I hadn’t ever flown prior to us being married when afterwards we flew to Florida for our honeymoon, while we enjoyed our time there ;) much of our heart’s cry was to just get back home. In fact, by the third day of Disney, we drove all over looking for a familiar restaurant chain (Burger King, Mcd’s or even Perkins) just so we could eat some common food and feel a little closer to home. One time when we went to Duluth for a weekend, Kelly was frightened by the kids (ethnic children) that were hanging out on the streets..., I don’t sleep well when my kids stay overnight at their friends house…, I just like being home and having my family, however dysfunctional we are, gathered around me.
Anyway, when we got here, one of the first things we did is go for a walk where we greeted and visited (at least tried to visit) with any and every one we met. We hung out on the street, walked through the market and spent time in the field across from our hotel. As I did a playback of these events in my head I wondered why Kelly and Kate were so courageous and how I never thought twice about going up to folks who don’t speak my language and engage them in conversation. As I thought through this in my mind’s eye I saw the two enormous Angels (dang tears again) that are on my right and left and now I am frequently aware of them as we are out and about. Let me be clear, I really don’t think we have been close to any danger (except for the bus and van rides – sheesh) and the Ethiopian people are beautiful and wonderful…I just know that they are there, because of the prayers and, in part, for the following reason:
I’m taking a hard turn here and it may seem that the next sentences aren’t connected but by the end I hope it makes sense. Kelly and I have the privilege of being in a bible study with a group of people from our Parish. We are going through the gospel of Matthew with Jeff Cavins. The theme of the study is the coming of the Kingdom and we recently went through a study of some of the miracles of Jesus. When we talked about the healing of the leper we learned how Jesus’ Kingdom is different from the Old Covenant in that with the old covenant one was defiled by the sin and “uncleanliness” that was around them and believers could make no positive impact on their environment. In Jesus’ Kingdom, there is a power where we do make an impact, and by His Grace, we bring healing and forgiveness to the fallen world we are in. In the Old Covenant the Jews were commanded to separated themselves from sinners and lepers because they would be defiled by them – in the Kingdom of Jesus we are commanded to go to the sinners and lepers to heal and bring forgiveness. I know I don’t explain this well but I hope you get the gist of the teaching.
Here’s the practical implication and how the power of your prayers along with all of God’s preparation have made a difference: I have always been fearful of AIDS…, it’s a mysterious deadly disease associated with terrible sin. I have always thought that AIDS was a punishment for sinful lifestyles and in the case of adult who contract it, just punishment. Well, as we have been here not a day has gone by where we haven’t played with child or two who have the disease and as I look back I haven’t thought twice about snuggling the kids into my neck or rolling around with them on the ground, or just holding them and rubbing their backs or stroking their hair. I have loved these little ones in a way that makes no sense to me and I can bring some comfort (at least a gentle touch) to them that comes not from me a touch that doesn’t defile me but brings Christ’s presence to the situation…. Maybe one of the reasons God has called us here is for my own healing.
Again, thanks for your prayers and the love you have shown us through your concern and support we really do feel we have a strength like Samson and a Love that resembles that of Jesus.
Nick
No comments:
Post a Comment