I Never Wanted This

Dear Prayer Warriors, 

In my heart I hear Jesus repeat "I never wanted this", not just for me or for my family. He showed "I never wanted this" to Mary and Martha as they grieved the loss of their brother. God, who is just, gave mankind the consequence of death because of our sins. God made the world sinless, so with every human death God increases in His longsuffering by watching our consequence play out. He calls death His last enemy. in Christ there is a swallowing up of death into victory! But also, the Man of Sorrows weeps with those who mourn, whispering "I never wanted this." Gaining a godly perspective on death has been so important. Those that have sent us books and prayed have this same hope: that we would take a hold of a godly perspective and not miss the mark by Satan's deceptions. Thank you. By God's grace, we hope in the Lord, seek joy, and desire to hear from Him. 

Two mornings ago, I was sharing a cup of coffee with my mother-in-law Sandy before anyone else was up. As we were talking I remembered another instance where Jesus whispered to me "I never wanted this.'' I told Sandy about my teenage memories of the Philippines where I saw total poverty. I visited the trashdump of Manila where thousands of people lived at that time. It was called Smokey Mountain. However, I had money. I flew on planes, toured, stayed in a luxury casino and left after ten days or so. I remember a profound sense of how unjust and angry the issue of poverty made me feel. I naively wanted to trade places just to make it right in my head. Was God the god of Smokey Mountain? Years later, I did a research paper on what the Bible says about poverty. During the process, as I dug, I heard the voice of Jesus saying "I never wanted this."

Simon never wanted people to be homeless, hungry, hopeless, or unloved either. He wanted to do something about it! Given my loss, I find it appropriate to ask myself "what did Simon teach me or point to?" Certainly love for the poor is at the top of that teaching. I am reminded of God's heart for the poor tonight.

Praise the Lord for:

-Victor’s birthday and dedication was a joy. Like the infant Samuel in the old testament who was “returned” to the Lord, offered up, back to God for His purposes. How great did his life turn out? May Victor be a mighty man of God, a conqueror in “oh the blood of Jesus it washes white as snow.”

-my return to full time work, with Lindsey lifting up our kids and loving them through these days. 

-an uneventful recertification for Anna on a medicaid waiver.

-Anna's rescheduled for the hip surgery on friday september 30.

 

Please Pray for:

-God to give me His love for the poor. To help me see them as He sees them.

-Anna’s outpatient surgery/dental work under general anesthesia this morning (Wednesday the 14th). It is always difficult because we tell her "we are going to put you to sleep and take out your teeth." and still there is this element of surprise. May God comfort her, give her peace, and encourage her through this.  Pray she would wake without the need of prolonged oxygen, pray for the blood and pain to be managed well. She is having several teeth removed. May God bring in those adult teeth uniformly as Anna is beautiful!

-God’s leading to move Grandma and Grandpa Bradbeer closer to us. They are eager to help, pray they sell their house and that God would lead them to another house where He wants them to move. 

-guidance and the Lord’s will for our journey. Pray that God would bless us and encourage us as we dearly miss Simon Diamond.

thank you,

Nic for the Currats