Pray without ceasing.

I know it has been SO long since I last updated but I have to share an amazing story with you.

This morning I woke up feeling burdened... my heart feeling heavy. After praying, the feeling didn't go away. It was a vague feeling, it was about nothing specific, and I found myself feeling as if I needed to spend the day in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 popped into my head "pray without ceasing." Okay... I haven't made that my goal for the day in quite some time (like, years) so I wrote it on a sticky note and placed it on my computer screen. Every time I saw it, I prayed. Every time I prayed, I felt God's presence. I was at complete peace deep within my soul all day and it was absolutely wonderful!

Right before I left work for the day I got a text message from someone I love saying they got in a car accident. My heart dropped. My mind went blank then suddenly rushed back to all the memories of getting that phone call saying Bethany got in a car accident and didn't survive. My dear friend mentioned she and her boyfriend were without a scratch but with a totaled car and camper. Even with this amazing news of their well-being, I couldn't help but feel the gaping wound left from Bethany's sudden, tragic loss almost 4 years ago. I hear the saying often that "time heals all wounds." I have a feeling that this saying is not accurate. Even with so much time in between where I stand now and November 12, 2006, the wound can be opened at any time. It is only with God's presence that I have healed as much as I have.

Soon after the rush of feelings came, a silence swept over my mind. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 took it's place. Pray without ceasing. Don't stop praying. Pray in all things and in all situations. God KNEW I would receive this news today and He KNEW what my wounds were. He loved me enough to make His presence clear to me, even if the reason was vague. He KNEW I would need Him right by my side, that there was no one else who could fill that place. He knows my needs and always meets them.