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Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
We all have them at some stage in our lives — situations that have the potential to test our faith. Many years ago when I was in elementary school, my parents and four siblings set out on our usual trip to the village to visit with grandparents and extended family. My grandmother's home was built on a hill surrounded by Mopani trees endowed with Mopani worms, a rich source of protein. My dad drove a Hillman that could just accommodate our family of seven on the 302-kilometre journey. As we branched from the main dirt road onto a rocky footpath that took us to the village, only my dad and the two youngest siblings would ride in the car, while my mom, older sister, brother, and I completed the last part of our journey on foot. Our arrival at the village homestead was always greeted with cheering and ululation.
On this particular visit, the car and its three occupants arrived, and my father got out of the car, but forgot to apply the handbrake. Before my two younger siblings could get out, the car began to roll downhill at great speed, leaving a trail of destruction, noise, and chaos. My dad ran after the car while my grandmother disappeared disoriented into the forest, too frightened to witness the drama unfolding before her eyes. We were all crying and screaming and imagining the worst, because there was a river at the bottom of the steep hill, and the car was headed in that direction. Suddenly, the engine ceased, the car abruptly stopped without explanation a few metres short of the riverbank, and all went quiet. The God moment came when we realized that my siblings in the car had escaped unscathed. We would later learn what was going on in my dad's mind as he prayed.
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)
As my dad appeared from among the trees, we noticed that he was bleeding profusely from a deep gash on his left leg. My mom attended to the bleeding and an uncle ferried him to the local clinic. A moment of inattention from my dad became our family's God moment, and we have shared this remarkable encounter with God's grace and faithfulness countless times.
Followers of Jesus should accept life's challenges or tragedies with grace and thanksgiving. God communicates with us in different ways, and sometimes, it takes such a dramatic event to renew or refine our faith. What my parents taught us is that in such difficult and incomprehensible situations, we need to hand everything over to God and allow Him to take over. I urge my readers always to acknowledge that God is in control and that we need to ask that His will be done, even when it is hard to accept our circumstances.
Prayer: Merciful God, we acknowledge Your infinite presence at all times in our lives. May we be constantly reminded of Your boundless grace and compassion. We ask that You would protect us from harm's way. We are thankful for God moments, because they present rare opportunities for us to pause and recount Your blessings. Amen.
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Wonderful story Margaret. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, excellent word for today! We need more of these on a daily basis.
Thank you for a good and encouraging word this day Margaret. Blessings.
Thank you for this very beautiful, poignant devotional Margaret.
May your week ahead be a great one.
Thank you Margaret for another wonderful moment of God’s care for us and how He answers our prayers.
Blessings.
Thanks, Margaret, for sharing this story with us. Praise God for the God moments in our lives that draw us close to Him and remind us that He is always with us.
Dear Margaret,
I really enjoy your testimony “The God Moment”.
Thank you.
Hi Margaret,
Good to read your devotional this morning. Such a tremendous God Moment in your childhood will be remaining with you and guiding you all your life. It reminded me of similar moments in my life when God interfered with my poor plans to bring about a miracle.
God bless you,
(B.C.)
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for sharing your families’ moments of special blessing from God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Sometimes God gets our attention in very special ways so will be sure of his presence for all of our days.
I pray that all of your family will share in rejoicing in His salvation.
Hi Margaret,
Just wish to thank you for today’s devotional. The title reminded me of something our former minister would say. If he was aware of someone going through a time of questioning, he would suggest that they go on a God Walk – to look at all the wonders that God has made for our enjoyment – much of the time that we take for granted. This “God Walk” title has stuck with me and now I will probably have the “God Moment” in my brain. Thanks again.
Thank you very much Margaret,
As I am going through a severe testing while waiting for surgery I am in a lot of pain…and here along comes Lady Margaret and mentions the word Mopani. I am on a restrictive diet to accommodate the pain killer and I could kill for Mopani and mielie meal.
How could you Margaret? Just Kidding.
But your enjoyable devotional redeems you. My days in Rhodesia will be in my mind all day today.
God bless you.
Thanks Margaret
Reminds me of a similar God moment. There had been an ice storm, and although the main roads were clear, the side roads often were not. I was taking one of my boys to a church camp. When we arrived, and got out of the car, it began to slowly slide down the road on the ice toward the lake, with many trees on either side of the road. In the end, miraculously, it turned toward the trees and came to a stop, without actually touching anything!
Blessings.
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for being the vessel that FATHER chose to voice HIS message to me through.
FATHER is so remarkable, FATHER is all!!
FATHER has delivered me in so many ways from so many things.
Some I have come to think that I am not even aware of.
Of late, one that is at the forefront was a call from my daughter. I was travelling to her place and was several hundred miles away on my motorcycle. When I topped a mountain after breaking camp for that day’s leg of my journey, I noticed a missed called alert. I called my daughter and she, in a worried voice, told me of reoccurring dreams of me being killed. I listened and told her to talk to FATHER and I would do the same. As I hung up I told her I would talk with FATHER now. I thanked him for the many blessings in my life. I asked HIM to spare me…but if not HIS will, that would be fine too, and if I were to die soon I wanted to thank HIM for my life with many blessings. I said AMEN. I continued on my way.
I was comfortable with my visit with FATHER knowing I had placed my trust in HIM and that what ever came would be HIS will.
Today’s devotional was so refreshing it was heaven sent GOD is AWESOME. I am a living testimony. GOD BLESS you,
(Jamaica)
Thank you, Margaret, for your meaningful devotional, wonderful to know that He is there for us in the worst of times as well as the best.
Every blessing.
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for today’s devotion. I join you to praise God and thank Him for the miracles we experience each day.
Blessings.