Daily Devotion for September 28, 2006

Note from Tim:
The below devotion is one that was sent to me some time back from someone on the devotion list.  She wrote it after I did a devotion about seeing Jesus in others.  I saved it because it was beautiful (and it was nice to have a devotion someone wrote to and for me).  Well,  I asked for permission to share it with others because it touched me and pray it will touch you also.  I did a few additions of Bible verse and title and such – but the rest is from this dear friend.

 

I Saw the Gift

 

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:1-4

 

I saw Jesus. I saw Him when I was a child who could not speak and was taunted and teased by other children. I saw Him every night through my tears and everyday through my prayers. Praise the Lord, for he never left me alone. He revealed Himself to a child who hadn't even been taught to know him. He sought me out and comforted me, and I clung to him so tightly that sometimes I thought I would burst. I saw Jesus everyday as a child.

 

 I saw Jesus as a young mother, raising a child, mostly alone. I saw Him when I was afraid, wondering how I would raise this boy with no one to help, wondering how I would make it, questioning whether I could do it. I saw Jesus when I looked at my son and often thought he deserved so much better than he had been given, yet loving that boy beyond anything or anyone on earth. I saw Jesus in him. Praise the Lord, for he gave me the gift of a loving child, and through my son I have seen Jesus everyday of our life together.

 

 I saw Jesus when I listened to my son say his prayers, and when I received help even though I had been too proud to ask. When I lost my lips in the kisses on my son’s chubby, cold cheeks, I saw Jesus there as well. When tragedy touched our lives, I saw Jesus as we found refuge and hope in Him alone. I saw Jesus when godly men came and said the things to my son that a father should have, when they saw beyond his imperfections and they embraced my boy. I saw Jesus in each of those men, in each disciple that was sent to my boy. Praise the Lord for He heard my sorrow, my deepest need and He sent his disciples to lead my son when I was not enough. Praise the Lord for His compassion I have seen.

 

 I saw Jesus in my grandmother, whose life was never easy, but whose infinite gratitude and joy lifted me forever. I saw Jesus in her eternal love for me when I could not love myself. I saw Jesus in her open arms for 47 years of my life. I saw Jesus in her lips that puckered when she kissed me as if she had just eaten sour grapes and who spoke only joy and acceptance for every friend as well as every stranger. I saw Jesus with every word she spoke. I saw Jesus on her run down farm where I could lose myself in the woods and feel safe. He was always there, and I saw Him, and spoke to Him and we shared the vista over the hills together. Yes, I saw Jesus there. And praise the Lord I even saw Jesus in her death. A poor woman in her nineties whose funeral was like that of royalty. Flowers filling every inch of space in every room, people crowding in the huge building all waiting to pay respects to a women whose reflection was to me like that of Christ. I saw Jesus there that day as well.
 
I have seen Jesus throughout my life, and I see Him today. Praise the Lord for he has not given me the life I deserved. I am never alone, and I have been given a life greater than I could ever have hoped for. Praise the Lord, for I have witnessed the Holy and Compassionate Father who has provided for all my deepest needs. And thank you Tim for me seeing Jesus in your daily devotions that keep my eyes on HIM!

 

Prayer
Father God I am so thankful for who You are. You have given me gifts beyond what I ever imagined. Forgive me when I take You for granted or put other things in front of You. I am ashamed of my busyness and my thoughtlessness. Thank You, Father, for You have provided all I ever needed and more. You sent Your son to die for me and I have seen Him every day of my life. I am a witness that You are the Great Provider, the Great Comforter, and the Giver of all good things. You are Holy Father. Help me to be humble and faithful all the days of my life, and not to forget the love and mercy I have been given from You.  In your precious name, Amen

 

 

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