How often have we heard stories from elders about ordeals in their lives and how they overcame them? Even in the most miserable of circumstances there is always a glimmer of hope. Deacon Carolyn told of driving on the expressway, being forced out of her lane by a tractor trailer whose driver didn’t see her. Her vehicle spun uncontrollably. During this terrifying experience thoughts of crashing into and/or being killed by oncoming traffic bombarded her thoughts. When things returned to sanity her car came to rest against a guardrail in its original direction. There were no injuries to people or property. Human thinking would assume that the outcome would be grave. God makes the impossible, possible. In this case God was surely with her. When we share our stories about God to others it gives hope to the hopeless and demonstrates faith to the faithless.
Deacon Carolyn invited members of the congregation to give impromptu testimonies of events in their lives where God and faith have interceded. Four people gave personal witness.
Person One told of a succession of falls in which she was not seriously injured. She felt that she would surely have a broken bone after falling on concrete and again on the asphalt of a city street. In addition to these falls, she fell two more times. Though injured she did not suffer the degree of injury she had expected. God saved her each time.
Person Two expressed her pending disappointment on being unable to attend Christmas Eve Services due to work hours and a time conflict. This attendance had been a longstanding tradition in her family. Exploring other options, she was able to find a 10:30p.m. Christmas Mass being held at Grace Church Woodlawn.
After breaking his knee, subsequent surgery and being confined to a lengthy, immobile recuperation, Person Three became depressed. So depressed was he that he considered suicide. After angry rants with God he finally stopped to listen. The voice he heard changed his way of thinking and his depressive mood. He realized that there are people who love and care for him and that God has a mission for us all. God is now his best friend.
Grief compounded by financial woes only adds to the strain of losing a loved one. Person Four discovered upon death that a loved one’s debts would not be completely covered by insurance. This left the survivor in a financial dilemma exceeding into thousands of dollars. Going to her Administrator she asked for extra work hours so that she could earn the money needed to pay down these debts. The Administrator listened, then asked how much she needed. He took out his checkbook, wrote a check for the full amount and told her to consider it a gift.
Through these testimonies we see the work of God. Telling our stories to others further enriches our relationship with God and lets others know of His Mighty Powers. Expressions of faith can be shared through our stories. ###
SCRIPTURESIsaiah 61:10-62:3
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ January 10, 2010- Vestry following the service.
+January 17, 2010- Annual Parish Meeting following the service
+ Don’t forget your $10 donation for each poinsettia you ordered.
VISITING
Retired priest of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Rev. Edward J. Wilson, attended Christmas Eve services. (pictures submitted by Titus Battle)
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