Special Memories and Blessings

I think I can confidently say ALL of us have those special childhood memories that make us feel warm inside. And along with those memories are blessings. We often recall special blessings the Lord has given us throughout our lifetime.  I think we all feel good inside when we think of those times.
However, along with the good times come the bad times. We all have faced times of trouble, times of disappointment, times of despair, and those times when we've lost a loved one. So often the Lord uses those hard times to help us grow. Let me tell you some of my story.
When I was a young girl my father was an alcoholic. My mother, brother, and I went through many disappointments and hardships. We never doubted his love for us. But as many times as my father tried to recover from the alcoholism, the more we were disappointed. Finally when my brother and I were teenagers, my mother and father divorced. At that time none of us walked with Jesus. Sure we knew who He was, but we did not have that personal relationship with Him.
I remember almost feeling relieved about the divorce, yet we did miss our Dad very much. When I was getting married, my brother walked me down the aisle. But we have always been very close, so that seemed perfectly fine to me.
When my husband and I became parents to our son, I then began to miss my father more and more. I wanted our son to know his Grandpa. By this time we had developed our relationship with Jesus and began to follow Him and His ways. We started to have a new found faith and hope that one day my father would be delivered from the alcohol.
Our son was 2, and my father was delivered from the alcohol. He went to a Christian Rehab program. He began serving the Lord Jesus and telling others of his own healing and deliverance. It was almost instantly. When he walked through the doors of the rehab center, he was immediately prayed for. My Dad went into that place knowing this was his only chance to be free. And he was set free indeed.
Within 6 months my Dad returned "home" a new man. But with the same love for us he always had. Our son had the Grandpa I truly longed for him to have. My Dad was so very proud of our son. He beamed when he spoke of him.
Not only did he return to my brother and I, but he returned still loving our mother. Neither one of them had ever remarried. They had been divorced for 12 years. A year after returning, my mother and father were remarried. Our family was whole once again.
There were many doubters. Those expecting my Dad to fall once again. But he didn't! When Jesus does something, it is done. It is finished.
We had over 20 years with my Dad before cancer robbed him. We are so very grateful for the time we all had with him.
Today would have been Daddy's 89th birthday. I know he is celebrating in heaven with our Mom, but mostly with Jesus. As much as we miss them both, we can rejoice because we know where they are. And some day we will join them in heaven.
My faithful readers, I write this to encourage you. Never give up. Do not lose faith. Jesus can do the impossible. He can change our darkest moments to the brightest. Even in our dark moments, Jesus continues to love us. He never leaves our side. He takes those moments and turns them around for His good.
No matter what your dark moment is, or your "crutch" is, or your addiction, or your need, Jesus is bigger, stronger, and in control. Jesus asks us to have faith the size of a mustard seed. Sure, He can change us whether we have faith or not. But it sure helps to have a little. Faith and hope helps us have that extra boost to push us through those hard times. My Dad knew if he could just get to a place where others would help him get closer to Jesus, where his faith and hope would grow, then he would be okay. He had that tiny seed of faith. And He was okay.
You can have the same victory. You too will be okay.
Matthew 17:20b
“For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.