God’s timing is perfect. I have never been more certain of
that in my life than I am right now.
Many of you are aware of the critical condition my Uncle Ray
is in. And many of you have been so sweet to pray for our family and we so
greatly appreciate it. However, many of you do not know my uncle. He’s my dad’s
big brother … it’s just the two of them. My Mimi’s “perfect” boys … well to
hear her tell it. He is the devoted husband of Carolyn and the amazing father
to Kim, Amy and Emily. He’s the most real and relatable father-in-law to Donnie,
Todd and his late son-in-law Brent. He more recently took on a new role of
doting grandfather to Will and Tate!! He has some great plans for his boys and
looks forward to years of playtime together. He’s always been the silly uncle
to Brandon, Mallory and I and I imagine to Meredith and Ryan as well. And I don’t
think you could ask for a better brother-in-law for my mom, Paula and Dan. He’s
been a dedicated, lifelong member to Ridgeway Baptist Church. He’s served in
many different roles there but I believe his most favorite has been that of
Sunday School teacher. He LOVES the Memphis Tigers like my dad LOVES the
Tennessee VOLS. He has been the Sports Announcer for Briarcrest Christian
School for 26 years. Yes, 26 years!!! That’s awesome.
If you ever attended a Briarcrest football or basketball
game then as you left you might have noticed that he shut down every game
playing the Gaither Vocal Band’s version of “Because He Lives”. He did this
because he had an opportunity to share the gospel with all those coming onto
our campus. He does this because he truly does believe that “Because He Lives”
we can face tomorrow. Uncle Ray has never shied away from sharing that Jesus
Christ is our only hope, the answer to all of life’s problems and He is the only
way to Heaven.
So in honor of my Uncle Ray’s passion for sharing that hope
I cannot let this week pass without sharing why this week has turned out to be
the most important week of my life.
I have shared many times before that I didn’t know the
specific date of when I got saved. I knew it was in August of 1993 and I knew
it was in my bedroom at our home in Lenoir City. My father is the one who led
me to the Lord. I came under conviction listening to the Christian artist “Evie” and I knew I was not saved. My
father made sure we settled that question that night. While I know that I was
saved that night I have always wanted to know the date but for some reason I’ve
never actively pursued tracking it down.
This past Saturday my boyfriend and I broke up. Again, God’s
timing is perfect. I spent the weekend resting for the first time this summer
and spending more quality time with the Lord. This was my first relationship
and the Lord taught me so much – about who He is and who I am – through the
process. While I didn’t completely understand why everything turned out the way
it did I am thankful for the sweet people I met through that relationship and
the opportunity to worship at precious church. I do not regret anything that
happened through the process and will approach any future relationships the
same way.
One thing the Lord kept speaking to my heart over the weekend
and even the week before was peace. He whispered peace into my heart time and
time again. He also reminded me how much He loves me and that nothing can separate
me from His love. Nor will He abandon me . . . not ever . . . such sweet words
of peace. He also reminded me of Romans 8:28.
He even did this through a note I received from Aunt Carolyn and Uncle
Ray on Monday night. God’s timing is perfect.
On Tuesday, I started thinking about when I got saved. Since
my dad was the one who baptized me I asked him if he had it on record anywhere when
this happened. He emailed back … August 15, 1993 in the PM service. The beauty
of a smaller church is that it means I came forward to make my profession of
faith the Sunday prior – August 8, 1993. I remembered my Aunt Sandy came to
visit that weekend and I couldn’t wait to tell her that I got saved (!) and
would be going forward that Sunday while she was church which meant she came in
town on that Thursday or Friday. Based off of my memory … Dad was at meeting
that night when I first talked to my mom about my concerns over not being
saved. She told me that Daddy would be home soon and he would talk to me in the
morning. Dad and I concluded that it would have most likely been on a Monday or
Tuesday night that I asked Christ into my heart. I googled a calendar for August
1993 and the dates for that Monday and Tuesday were August 2nd and 3rd. That would have been this past Saturday or
Sunday.
So friends … this week marks my 21st anniversary
of asking Jesus Christ to be the Lord of my life. It hasn’t been an easy
journey but it has been well worth every step. It is because of our (my family’s)
individual relationship with Christ that our family can face these kind of
situations with hope and the assurance that no matter what God is in control.
And He is still good. While Satan would have loved for the circumstances of
this week to bring me down the Lord in His mercy gave me a reason to celebrate
this week and celebrate I will. God is so good and worthy to be praised.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God’s timing is perfect and I have never been more certain
of that in my life than I am right now!!
I love you!!
- Melody Faith
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