Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Experience.
Experience. I would define this as when one personally encounters or undergoes something, be it new or repeated.
One year ago today I experienced something altogether new to me. My dad underwent a double bypass surgery, the details of which filled my own heart with overwhelming anxiety.
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth.”
The remembrance of this day, fills me with gratitude for all the Lord has brought us through …
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.”
He alone filled us with the strength, the energy, the understanding and ability to navigate an entirely new situation with wisdom. He alone brought people alongside of us who had knowledge and far more experience; using them to soothe our worried minds.
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
We came to rely daily, throughout the day, often minute by minute, as we journeyed through the process of recovery.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”
With the passing of each day, my head hit my pillow at night, with a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s love for me, because I had experienced His love yet again and again.
And so on this Valentine’s Day – the day we celebrate the gift of love – my prayer for us all is this:
“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
(all the verses can be found in Ephesians 3:14-19, NLT)
Today I am joining …
Great scriptures for experience. And, I remember this day last year in your world.
Where are You, God, here are You?
Where can You ever be?
And He replied, “Know this for true,
I’m far too near to see.
I am in every sob that breaks
your breath and then your heart,
I am the One who from you takes,
and mends what’s come apart.
I am in every tear that falls
down your tender cheek,
I’m not constrained by sight’s four walls
as I give you what you seek:
the knowledge that I’ll never leave
for I’m the very air you breathe.”
Andrew, you are surely doing your best writing ever! I am so very grateful He is ever near us. Blessings!
How wonderful to celebrate the gift of a new heart -a restored heart – on Valentine’s Day! And how applicable to each of us who know the Lord….and have been given new hearts:)
So very true, Jennifer.
The verses you chose to interweave and edify your words were perfect. I am thankful that you are able to share how you relied on God but how He restored your dad.
Thank you, Mary. It is amazing to think back on. God has been so very faithful.
I’ve read this on a truly tough day, God bless you
Rayla, I am praying for you tonight. May God give you all that you need to get through this time. Blessings!
Beautiful prayer!