GOD PULLED ME THROUGH

Isn’t it amazing how God puts just what you need, where you need it, even before you need it? No matter how much I learn about Him; no matter how much He’s shown me personally; no matter how much manifests itself before my very own eyes, God is AMAZING!!! He knows the trials and the devastations that are before us and He sets a cushion for us to gently fall back on; the cushion being His loving arms. As a student of His I’ve learned that some of us realizes the cushion as it happens, others see it later but it’s always there; God’s infinite wisdom & cushion.

As I listened to Jennifer Hudson sing “You Pulled Me Through” last night on the Grammy’s I thought it was a new song. It was only until this morning that I heard on the radio that this was a song from her album, which I had a copy of. Sure enough it was there and all I could say was God – only YOU knew what she would need even before she needed it. If memory serves me correct the Hudson tragedy happened in October & the album was released latter part of September so it’s safe to say, “Nobody but God.” I can’t say Jennifer relied on the words of this song to bring her peace during this time or that she was even singing about God when she first recorded it, but He has a way of being there for us through the smallest of things. He has a way of letting what one thing mean to us be about something that will bring us closer to Him. So last night as I heard her sing this song I immediately associated it with God because only He has the strength to pull her through all that she’s gone through these last few months. As we journey along our way Only God has the strength to pull us through all that we have or will go through. He knows the plans He has for us and He knows just what we need to help us understand or to put peace in our spirit when our day comes. Short story ~ While stationed in Germany I turned down a job at Red Cross because I was “satisfied” with my present job. A few months later I wasn’t so satisfied and out of the blue, the exact same day, I saw the Station Manager and I asked if he had filled the position; he hadn’t. I think being from Georgia helped seal the deal and I got the job. What I thought would be simple administrative work turned into becoming a consoler, a comforter for those that learned many miles away that they’d lost a loved one. It was hard most days seeing the pain in the eyes of a soldier or spouse that just lost a mother, father, or sibling, etc. It was even harder seeing their pain & confusion when they learned that unless your grandparents raised you for at least five (5) years the Army wouldn’t pay for you to return home. I became a consoler & comforter….ONLY GOD knew that months later I would be one of them. I would be miles away when I learned of the death of my mother. God gave me that job to prepare me. Though the lesson was hard God gives you just what you need even before you know you need it. He’s just that amazing! NSBIG

I was in the darkness
I was out in the cold
Seemed nothing could heal this
This hole in my soul
You reached out your arms to me
Held out your heart to me
Pulled me back from the edge
Thought I reached the end
When I was drowning
When I was so confused
You, You, You pulled me through
I was in the shadows
Lost, nothing left to lose
You, You, You pulled me through

~Stay Prayed Up!! CLICK ON THE LINK

THE CAT AND THE CAN

The other weekend as I was volunteering at a women’s transition center I began talking to one of the residents. Apparently before I arrived the ladies were doing their normal cleaning of the children’s center when they saw a cat stuck in a can of Ravioli. They watched the cat for a while and when it became apparent that he was struggling to free himself some laughed while others wanted to help the frantic cat. My new friend, Alicia, told me that she remarked that she wouldn’t be able to help the cat because she’s not into animals. As they watched the cat trying desperately to remove the can she told me that she felt in her spirit that she needed to go out to see if she could help; her son was nearby and he, too, was somewhat upset that no one was able to help. As another resident left to get her daughter to help both the mother and the son began to pray for the cat; she said she prayed like never before. What started out as a prayer for the cat turned into a prayer for God to “deliver” souls that were lost, souls that were “stuck,” souls that needed to be set “free.” While she prayed the cat wiggled and struggled; the can didn’t bulge. They prayed more; they prayed louder. She said every time she called on the name of Jesus the cat seemed to hear her cry and turn toward her – they prayed more; they prayed louder. “God deliver my sister over here, my brother over there, God deliver me from my situation.” JESUS! The cat turned a little more and he seemed to settle down a bit. They prayed more; they prayed louder. JESUS! All of a sudden an ear popped out of the can - they continued to pray. What happened next was astonishing; the cat looked UP and the can fell from his face. Why is this so astonishing you ask? Well wouldn’t it seem logical to you that the cat would need to look down for the can to fall off? As my new friend shared this story with me God was sending revelation one after another. This revelation not only blessed me, but it was meant for some of you. Ride with me….The cat looked into what seemed inviting and plentiful and became stuck. No matter how hard he tried to set himself free he needed help. He was in the presence of some that laughed, some that were afraid, and some that prayed. Life & people are like that for us….But remember this, anytime you find yourself stuck don’t try to free yourself, just pray more; pray louder. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. Let’s ride on…When they called on the name of Jesus the cat shifted his angle and began to settle in his spirit. Isn’t it wonderful to know that even in what may seem like a bad situation all we have to do is call on the name of Jesus and He will calm the stormy seas? At the name of Jesus – the cat turned. Revelation – sometimes God needs us to turn from the direction in which we are heading and turn back on the path that He has set for us. JESUS! They noticed that after the cat turned a couple of times an ear popped out. “God, I need You!” They prayed more; they prayed louder. Could it be that God said, “I hear you, I’m freeing you. Can you hear Me?” JESUS! The cat turned, looked up and the can fell. Revelation – hills are high. The only way to look down at a hill would be that you are standing on a higher hill. God says, “Look UP” and never forget to look to the hills from whence cometh your help, your help comes from the Lord. NSBIG

~ Stay Prayed Up! CLICK ON THE LINK