I TOOK A CHANCE.  YEP!  I TOOK A VACATION.                                                                        AND GUESS WHAT!                                                                                                           I SAW GOD!

Because I truly believe that all things that happened to me while vacationing in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina during the first 2-1/2 weeks in August were preordained by God, and because of this knowledge, it will further enable me to recognize God on that great Day through the eyes of Jesus Christ, I believe I am evolving every day as a true child of God and in the image of God.

I further believe that scripture reveals that we are already considered to be molded after God’s own image through the breath he breathed into Adam (the father of us all) at creation, and our bodies have been renewed/redeemed by the blood of Jesus due to His work on the Cross, then we shall see him (God) as he is.  For scripture says; “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  Matthew 5:8.

It is also expressed more clearly in the following verse: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 

What I meant when I said, ‘I took a chance’ is simply this:  When I did not notify my bible study group of women that I would not be soliciting prayers for ‘traveling mercies’, they did not understand my position.  I told them that the reason was simple; God had already ordered my steps and all I had to do when he reveals his protection, guidance and companionship towards me is to rejoice and be exceedingly glad and to give him all the honor, all the glory and all the praise he deserves.

So, now that my vacation is over, I can truly say that many doors were opened to me and so many kind gestures of goodwill were extended to me from total strangers that there was no doubt in my mind that Jesus was with me.  Most of the well-wishers expressed their connection with the Savior through their personal testimonies to me as to why they were drawn to me, in spite of my being surrounded by so many other people.

In other words, most of them singled me out from a crowd and presented me with gratuities, care-giver assistance, audible blessings, free transportation and religious information that armed me with reassurance of God’s presence in my life.  One by-stander even re-approached me after paying for my dinner, placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered that God wanted me to know that he knows just where I am.

Where of I was glad!

While waiting to retrieve my luggages at the turn-table belt at the airport, another well-wisher approached me and my wheel-chair handler.  He handed both of us a $2 dollar bill.  He said his wife sent him over to present us with the money which her mother had made a habit of saving in her bible after blessing the $2 dollar bills and then giving them out to people as she traveled.  Her mother was now deceased and she was carrying on that family tradition.  The man blessed us, then disappeared into the crowd.

Yes, I saw the hand of God in short order at every turn of my travels and it humbled me.  Not withstanding the love, fellowship, emergency intervention and prayer time my son’s family experienced while they shared their hospitality with Grandmother Punkin-Dunkin (my nickname) while I was in Charlotte.

Travel is good for the soul!  

My advice to you is to begin to recognize God in all of his splendor and glory, even while on vacation  He does not just reside in brick and mortar buildings or great cathedrals.  You will see God in the least of his people as well as in the greatest.  He resides in persons of all nations, in inanimate objects and in the atmosphere.  We all have so much to give if only we will trust God and grasp the realization that the cattle on a thousand hills are the Lords.  We are only His stewards.

May I forever remain God’s instrument of his giving heart and strive to be an open-fist laborer in his vineyard.  I invite you to come see a Man who knows how to travel and who knows where you are at all times.  Amen

Scripture Lesson:  “You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.  You know when I am resting or when I am working, [or when I am on vacation], and from heaven you discover my thoughts.  You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.  Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.  I can’t understand all of this!  Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.  Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?  If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there.  If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.  Psalm 139:1-8

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