Taste and see that the Lord is good.Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! -
Psalm 34:8
I suppose I have always believed in miracles and my grandmother was a big part of that. She would always tell me about the little miracles that God was working in her life everyday and then she would ask me how I saw God working in my life. She would tell me about how God helped her find a parking spot at Wal-Mart or how she looked all over for something and finally she would find it. To me it seemed like she could find God’s hand in everything. She would look outside and see miracles in nature; she would look inside and see miracles in me. Most people say they believe in miracles but she was the first person who showed, she was the first person who lived like they believed. Via her influence I started looking for miracles. I started looking for times when God would break through the humanly limits of space and time and reach is hand down to interrupt the usual course of human events. The thing is that I always justified what I saw and experience. There have always been miracles big and small around me but I never saw them for what they were; that is until I went to Africa.
When I went to Africa in 2009, I think that my senses were heightened to the spiritual presence around me. It was a mission trip so I assumed that God would be working. I took it as a mandate of the trip that I would see God working miraculously though my team because those are the types of things that happen in Africa. I was aware that it was God’s hand when we were in dangerous situations and nothing happened to us. I was aware of God’s protection and provision when our cabin was broken into and we were unharmed. I understood that it was only through God’s grace that the finances were there for me to even go. I saw those miracles because I wanted to see them. I can see now that this miracle anticipation was preparation for what was to come.
I now live in a community that is all too familiar with miracles. If you do not believe that miracles occur come on down to Riverside and I will prove to you that they do. Just this year we have experienced some incredible acts of God. From finances to transportation to new appliances and new students, Riverside has experienced the hand of God. We have seen God do marvelous things both large and small. At first I wondered why in the world would God chose this place and these people to show His power. I wondered why there was such a concentration of Heavenly intervention in such a place. Then I remembered what my Grammy had taught me about miracles. God is constantly working in our lives. He wants to show his face to those who live in anticipation of seeing it. And that is exactly what is happening at Riverside. This year we are living in anticipation that God is doing and is going to continue doing a good work here at Riverside. He wants to give us good things. Every day I see more and more that God is not stingy and the things that he does for us are out of love, unrelenting love. God opened my eyes in Africa to big miracles, he prepared me from childhood for little miracles and day by day he is showing me that no matter where I am and not matter what the circumstances he is ready to perform wonderful deeds for those who believe and call on his name. What a wonderful reality to live under! And trust me that is the reality of the Riverside Community.
Continue to pray that our positive influence in the community will grow and that people will see our light shine in the darkness. Also pray that our kids will grow into spiritual leaders and that they too will have an understanding of the miracles surrounding them!
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