Something happened recently that showed me how important it is to open my heart to the Holy Spirit. It had to do with caring for my elderly mother after a surgery. I was feeling pretty good about myself to be able to help her out and then one evening I came home from cooking a simple meal for my folks and saw a Facebook posting about appreciating your mom more after having kids of your own. Before I could scroll down, I believe the Holy Spirit put a thought into my mind something like this:
“No, you will never really appreciate your mother until you have the privilege of caring for her when she is frail, hurting, and injured – the way she cared for you most of your life!”
The first week after her surgery I stayed at my parents’ house. I realized by the third day that Mom was recuperating nicely, but I was feeling stressed somehow. I asked God to heal Mom completely and then to give me the heart to love being with my folks; in their home; to be respectful and positive; to give encouragement; to serve cheerfully; and most of all, to show them love like I have never shown them in my life. I asked Him to give me joy, understanding, and peace without being torn between my world and theirs.
God is so faithful and He rewards those who seek Him by giving them the desires of their hearts. God answered the prayers of healing for Mom right way. She is recovering rapidly and the joint repair has already healed in three weeks (according to her physical therapist). He says a few months of therapy with exercises at home should deliver her a good outcome. Thank you, Jesus!
As for me, within days my whole attitude improved. My spirit is singing and my relationship with Mom is moving to a higher level of trust and respect. Each morning I waken with anticipation of what blessings God has in store for us today. As I drive to their house, bring in the newspaper and start breakfast; Mom already has the coffee made (with one good arm, bless her). We swing right into the day as they catch me up on how things went overnight. We have always had a good relationship, but now I believe that God is doing an amazing work in the three of us. It feels like He is drawing us into His Spiritual realm of abiding love.
So what is this abiding love of God? I am still learning about it as the Holy Spirit reveals. For now, I believe it is the love that sticks; that binds; that never fails; that doesn’t quit; doesn’t expect; doesn’t fault. It is the love that knows I need a heart renovation and is giving me one. Thank you, Lord!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” ~Galations 5:22,23,25 KJV
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