Nanny

My family has called my grandmother Nanny for as long as I have been alive. In fact almost anyone who knows her calls her Nanny. I don't know if you know what her name means to me, but it means prayer warrior and godly advice giver. It means lover of lost souls, care giver to anyone in need, friend who never looks down on you, and the one person who can see past your sins and poor choices in order to give you a pearl of wisdom that will help you realize how much God loves you. I hold her in the highest of regard and have the utmost respect for her Christian values and God fearing lifestyle.
Recently the evil effects of on set dementia and Alzheimer's disease have begun to rob her of her ability to remember and process information. I have seen her go from a confident woman of prayer to a frail, confused shadow of her former self. It's a situation that is causing immense heart break for my family. My father, who is an old grizzly bear, has been reduced to tears on several occasions. To see the pain in my aunts eyes and to see them, and my father, realize that their mother is slowly fading away has been excruciating for me. I have had moments of doubt and fear. But as sure as I sit here today, I know that God is in control of this situation. He has Nanny in His hands and all this is going to work out for His glory!
It's hard... So hard in fact that I have been crying and wondering how I will get by. It's times like this that I remember Nanny's favorite scripture: Daniel 10:12, Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."
When I read that I remember that He is answering my prayer. I remember that Nanny would want me to rely on God, just as she has for so many years. I remember that no matter how hard it gets He has heard my cries and answered my prayers!!! The day is coming when she won't remember who I am. I know on this day that He will be with me and will hold me and my family in His arms.
I love you Nanny and I know that your presence at your current home is blessing to all those around you. I know that your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to see you and pray for you have shown the love of our Savior to all those around you. God is in control and He will speak to the hearts of all those who come in contact with you. I love you Nanny.

It's All Mapped Out...

It's been funny lately how the Holy Spirit has been working in mine and my families lives. I used to think that sometimes things just happen and you just roll with the punches. Until recently when God showed me that a Christian's steps are truly ordered by Him.
The other day my wife went to get change so she could pay for some cupcakes that we were having decorated by a friend for my daughters 6th birthday party. The cashier handed her a large bill and told her she didn't have any smaller bills. When my wife called me and told me the story I immediately felt the Holy Spirit tell me that it wasn't an accident, it was planned. I told my wife what the Lord had told me and we agreed to give our friend that large bill. Why? I don't know, I just know that God wanted her to have it and I wasn't going to ignore Him! The same thing happened a while back when I went to the gas station. For some reason my pump wouldn't accept my debit card, so I went to a station down the street. I bought my gas, went inside and got some gum and an energy drink. On my way out a guy on a really nice Honda 1800 was getting gas. I stopped and talked to him about his bike and before I left told him he had a great bike, that I hoped he had a great day and God bless him. That guy smiled from ear to ear and looked like it lifted his spirits to talk to me. Is it a coincidence that my card didn't work at one gas station and worked perfectly fine at a station 3 miles away? I think not!!!
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart just yesterday and told me that He is always with me. There's no mistakes, nothing that He isn't involved in in our lives if we believe in Him. From every turn in the road, to our route to work, where we buy our gas, who we speak to during the day and every event that makes up our day. Remember next time you have a minor inconvenience that it could be God's way of pointing you in a different direction for your safety or for you to show His love to another person. Remember He's interested in every detail of our lives because He LOVES us!

Psalm 37:23(NLT) The LORD directs the steps of the godly.He delights in every detail of their lives.