Originally printed in The Standard Newspaper, November 16th, 2017. Did you know God can use anything? He can. This Monday, he used raspberries to help bring a blessing to someone with back pain. Here's the story.
I was running errands for myself, and other family members, in downtown Port Perry. One item on my list was raspberries for my mom. Mom had unfortunately not given me enough money to buy raspberries in that particular store. I had a choice, I could not get the raspberries, because I hadn't been sent with enough money, or I could buy them with my own money. Instead, I turned to what has always been most effective for me, in good decision making; asking God. It may sound like too small an issue to some people, but nothing is too small for God to be interested in. So I prayed, and He impressed upon me not to get the raspberries, even though I could have, but to call Mom. Mom suggested getting the raspberries at one of two other stores, which sell them cheaper. After getting off the phone with her, I asked the Lord about which store to get the raspberries from. After getting an inkling, which comes from the word incline, I went to a specific grocery store. While in line, an elderly woman ahead of me, asked if I would carry her groceries out to her car, because she had a “bad” back. To ensure she didn't feel she was a burden, I replied, “Of course! It'd be my pleasure!” And carried her groceries out. After placing her groceries in the car, feeling the nudge of the Lord again, I said to her, “This may sound random. But do you mind if I pray for your back?” Her face lit up, and she said, “Of course not! Please do!” So I gently placed my hand on her back, and she did the same to me, and I prayed. “Dear Lord, I believe you made backs and you can heal backs. Please touch and heal this lady's back, and give her a wonderful day no matter what happens. Amen. In Jesus name.” Afterward, she thanked me, and I said for her to have a nice day. This “chance” meeting was not a matter of coincidence. It was a series of guided steps from the Lord. If I had done, what's called “the logical thing” and bought the raspberries at the first store with my own extra money, I would not have ended up praying for this woman. We can't know all the variables in our days, but God does. He sees a grander picture that only He could orchestrate. We need to trust Him to do His part, but ask Him what steps He wants us to take in this moment, and then we get to obey His leading. Remember, nothing's too small to ask God about, not even raspberries. God bless! Christopher Green
Comments
Orignally printed in The Standard Newspaper November 2nd, 2017. Earlier this year in Calgary, at a screening of the film Dunkirk, a nearly 100-year-old veteran, named Ken Sturdy, was given a vivid reminder of a battle he was actually a part of. Mr. Sturdy was thanked by movie goers who were faced, for the first time, with a realistic depiction of what he and his comrades exactly went through. Mr. Sturdy was hugged and had his hand shaken, by grateful Calgarians, when they spotted him in full uniform.
When I hear a story like this, I'm reminded of how grateful we need to be. Sometimes people have trouble being grateful for our War Veterans, because they dislike the concept of war. Human life is valuable, yet unfortunately conflict does arise. But Veterans like Mr. Sturdy, are the first to point out that we must learn from our past, so we don't repeat the horrors of war in the future. Honouring our veterans isn't about honouring war or death. It's about honouring people who did everything they could, to end the effects of war as quickly as they possibly could, so you and I can enjoy the peace we are blessed with. These are lessons our veterans are urging us to learn, and we would be wise to listen. My grandfather was a veteran of the Korean War. Currently, tensions between the U.S. and North Korea are building. One North Korean official even alleged certain comments, made by U.S. officials, qualify as a declaration of war, giving North Korea the “right” to attack U.S. Jets, even outside of North Korean aerospace. It's important to remember in times like these, to avoid needlessly escalating tensions, and to seek preemptive diplomacy wherever realistically possible. It's interesting that I had to turn to two foreign countries to find an example of military history threatening to repeat itself in our era. This points back to the freedom and peace we've enjoyed in Canada for so many years. Let's protect this peace, but not by fear mongering into over spending in our military and security, and not by being too much of a “hippy” to support our troops. This Remembrance Day, let's commit to work towards peace in our world, and honour those who fought for the existance of our peace. God bless our veterans, Canada, and Canadians everywhere! |
I'm a lover of Jesus, and he has called me to love and obey Him. One of the ways He has me do that, is by glorifying Him through media.
Podcast subscription links
Green Streams StudioI am happy to be a part a stream of GreenStreams Studio, and would be happy if you checked out our studio online! Just click the image above.
Archives
June 2019
Check out my clothing line (no, not as in "clothes line" where you hang out your clothes to dry, but "clothing line" as in clothes I designed).
|