Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Linda, my oldest sister, invited me and Jon and Katie, my other sister, down for a week to Destin, Florida.  Linda had a job for the summer teaching and sitting two little girls.  I prayed about it and decided Jon had worked so hard at school that year, I needed a break from church politics, and Bobby, my oldest son, had been invited to Florida the same week with trusted church friends, so we were off!

Jonathan was always calmer and happier during the summer time.  The pressure was off and he knew we loved him no matter what.  I had no idea if he would be allowed back in his school.  In sixth grade children transferred from one class to another and this did not bode well for Jonathan.  His thinking could be incredibly unorganized and then he would get frantic and combative.  Our summer home had been sold and Mark, my husband, could not take off any time for the summer.  All the circumstances and the opportunity lined up because I believed God’s hand was on it.

Physically, it was an extremely difficult trip for me, but it was worth it.  I did all the driving and, as usual, I was exhausted when we started.  We had to stop just about every hour for Katie to smoke or give Jonathan a break.  Thirteen hours later we arrived in pitch black darkness and the street sign for the address Linda gave me was missing.  I pulled into a real estate parking lot, pried my hands off the steering wheel and started crying.  Jon said, “Mom it is okay, I’m sure it is around here close”.  He was so precious and helpful when he knew I was at the end of my coping ability.  We circled the neighborhood again and went down the only street without a sign and there it was.  It was a small one room efficiency apartment behind the house and we could walk to the beach.

Jonathan was very comfortable with me and his two aunts.  The three of us ladies laughed like teenagers on spring break and bonded in a way we had not ever before!  We had a ball and Jonathan loved the ocean.  Little did we know it would be the last time the four of us would spend fun time together but the Lord did.

Thought: Are there things in your future that you cannot fathom, but God knows and prepares us.

Action: Stay flexible and moldable in His Hands.

 

Favor – Volume 2, Devotional 53

Ephesians 6:18-19,  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

We lost most of the day due to the twelve hour time change.  We were all favored with our seating arrangements.  Mark and I had an extra seat between us for the leg to Beijing, China. I tried to sleep, but I was too excited.

Grady, an adult whose wife had been my table leader at my first spiritual retreat weekend, questioned his presence on the trip because he did not see himself as a prayer person.  At first, he resigned himself as Mark’s helper but his unfailing kindness to the whole team as we grew weary was a special gift and I know the Lord blessed him.    

We finally touched down in Beijing and as we entered the airport the unbelievable oppression was immediately tangible to me and of intensity I had never felt.  The evil here is thousands of years old, not just a couple of hundred years as in the United States.  Mark and I were the first or second ones to approach the customs area in our group.  We had specifically told our prayer intercessors exactly what time at home we would be there.  The couple right in front of us was asked to submit to x-ray of their luggage.  I believe the officials took one look at my exhausted face (and I really milked it for all it was worth) as I pushed luggage and Mark as he walked beside me with his arm in a sling and just waved us off.  I know the Lord orchestrated that!  The entire group of thirteen went through effortlessly.  It was like, as a group, we were invisible!

Pastor John Mark smiled broadly as he saw us approach and confirmed later that he sensed our prayer coverage and preparation was sufficient.   We meet Paul, a born again fired up believer and Peter, one of our American contacts in China who spoke fluent Chinese.  And Matthew, a Philippine-American southern Baptist Pastor who left his state side ministry to be in full time mission in China.  Wow, we already had our Peter, Paul and Matthew!  Of course, Chinese and North Korean natives adopt a biblical name once they receive the Lord as savior.  They do this out of respect for the Lord and for security reasons in the underground churches.

  One to four thirty was an excellent time to pray.  The Lord told me exactly what to sing and pray at the morning meeting with the team.  Mark and I took communion, prayed on the armor of God, read Psalm 121, and anointed each other with oil from Israel.  We did this every morning, just the two of us.   

Thought: We are in a special protective bubble when we are in the center of God’s will and serving him.  Action: This was my most fervent prayer that we stay in the center at all times.