I want to share with you about how I experienced the love of God so deeply in my life tonight.
Today at church, I sat by one of the sweetest men on the face of the planet. He has a full head of white hair, glasses, wrinkles, a little tummy and a warm embrace!!!! I experienced the love of God in a very real way tonight; through this 80 something year old man. We made small talk; we worshiped together, listened together and smiled together. It just felt good to sit beside him. It was comforting. I found myself throughout the sermon, leaning his way...why? Because it just felt good to be next to him. As the pastor began to close the sermon, the response worship song began to be sung....I all of the sudden felt this arm around me...holding me close ....and he began to pray for me; he...was praying for ME. He held me close and I began to tear up...as I knew....I was being held by the Father. We stayed that way for the next 5 minutes or so....as the lights turned on and people began to leave...he looked in to my eyes and shared words of encouragement...he opened my Bible and gave me a specific verse to pray over my life. (One that I know was directly for the LORD!) ...we embraced a few more times before we parted ways. The last words he said to me were: Cuando tu oras, ora para mi, mi nombre es Manuel. :) When you pray; pray for me. My name is Manuel.
***Yes, Manuel...I will be praying...in fact I I have been....for some time now. :)
Thank you Lord for sharing your love with me tonight...in such a real deep way.
After we parted ways, I headed straight for the ladies room ...and cried...not because I was sad, but because I am overwhelmed by the love that Christ shows to me ...His mercy--- on my life. I thought to myself while I was in that stall, crying and just marvelling at who this God is...; that my life would be spent like this man's..... That I could help other people experience the love of Christ in some way just like I did tonight.
Be encouraged brethren!!
xoxoxox
Melissa
JN 13:34-35
P.S Please be praying for the following:
1.) The staff of sunkist clothing in San Jose
2.) Please pray for my left foot and ankle....I had a fall....and am in a bit of pain; have been in bed with my foot up most of the last 3 days....just trying to get it better. Suppose to run a half marathon next week. :)
3.) My new friend, Manuel.
4.) God is doing something in C.R....something amazing...that we as believers in C.R would be faithful and work together. That the Holy Spirit would draw many hearts to know Him! That God would be glorified in this beautiful country!
oh...and you can be praying for these lil chicki nuggies too....their my english class that I teach....pray for their lil hearts. :)
I will be praying! Thanks for sharing what God is doing in your life, in you and through you!
ReplyDeleteMelissa-- I'm so encouraged reading this on this evening. What an amazing woman of God you are. I know you show this same love to others that Manuel showed to you- all of the children you bless and love on, the maids and women you refresh in Costa Rica so often. You are a world-class lover of people. And the Bible says that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). Well deserved, my friend, for you to have this encounter with Manuel.
ReplyDeleteThere is an older gentleman at my church who whenever I am having a particularly difficult week will always seem to somehow find me and embrace me and look at me tenderly and sincerly like a father would. He always asks how I am when I need that kind of love most. It's so hard for me not to burst out and cry right in front of him- you're right, it's that tender love of the Father these men show us- such precious men of God. I love you, sister, and I hope to talk to you SOON by telephono. Love you! So encouraged by the person you choose to be and your life- you are a blessing and an inspiration to many!! ----Beth :)