A Gentle Breeze

"The wind blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  (John 3:8 )

As I sit outside this morning and hear the rustling of the leaves, it’s a gentle breeze that’s producing the beautiful song. It brought a smile to my face.

My grandparents lived in Fajardo, PR. Today I was reminiscing over a visit when I was a little girl.

My grandma’s house was surrounded by trees with lots of shade. Her balcony was huge, or at least it was to me. There was a little house in the back that I could enter. I remember a sewing machine and just a quaint room that beckoned invitation.

No matter where I was in her big lot of land, the trees covered everything. I could feed the chickens, catch slugs on the ground, or climb the mango tree and have a treat. At night, I would sit with my grandfather on the porch, taking in the lessons on how to play Dominoes.

It’s amazing how just the rustling of the trees can flood my mind and bring me back to a vivid childhood memory, a beautiful memory!

As the birds are singing this morning and only nature’s song is flooding my ears, the Lord also whispered to me.

He reminded me that my grandma, Felicita, was a Christian. I don’t ever remember going to church with her or even knowing or understanding the walk that she had with God. I do recall that after she died, she gave her bible to my cousin.

As life progressed, in my twenties, I, too, began to serve the Lord. My cousin became ill, and I remember visiting her at the hospital. As life was slipping away from her and the transition was approaching, I recall pulling out a Bible and reading from the book of Psalms to her. I began to encourage her and speak about the Lord and his goodness to her.

Sharing with other relatives, I pointed to my grandma’s Bible in my cousin's hand. She was not awake or able to converse, but I do know that the Word of the Lord has authority, and it's a testament of all God has left for us. I told my relatives, “Read to her from Grandma’s bible.” The hope of eternal life is in the Book.

Did Grandma go to church and pray for her family? I have been born again and know that once you have this treasure, you want everyone to have it! Maybe grandma did speak to me about the Lord, and I don’t remember. After speaking with my dad today, he said she was always praying, reading, and in church. Perhaps as I walked the land and climbed the trees, she had prayed. She wanted her entire family to encounter the Savior. Indeed, I have!

Even now the wind is blowing, and the trees are moving at the Lord’s command. Even now, the Wind of the Spirit is moving and speaking his purpose and direction over me.

Truly, before I was even born, he knew me.

Pray, read, and worship the Lord. Pray over your lineage that has not yet come forth. Cover those who one day will walk the earth, grandchildren, nephews & nieces. Pray for those who are rebelling against the Lord today. Pray for God’s intervention. Pray fervently and never forget that prayer affects today and tomorrow; it crosses over continents, causes change, and affects future lineage.

Thank you Lord for saving Grandma and saving me.

God bless you!~Liz

The Voice

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Often, we speak of hearing God’s voice. But what does that sound like to someone who has never experienced Him?

Recently, I was at a restaurant. As I was leaving, someone called my name. As I turned her face looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. 

She recognized my voice from across the restaurant as I interacted with my friends.  Once I got up, she confirmed that the familiar voice indeed was mine!

The Word of God speaks of who he is and goes into great detail on how far he will go to reach us. 

Creation speaks of Him!

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7-10)

I was embarrassed that I did not recognize my friend at first. But a few quick moments into the conversation, and I realized this woman had babysat my son for years. My son is a grown, married man now. It’s been years! Her ear was keen. Mine not so much.

Do we miss God sometimes?  Is our memory short-lived? 

Even above the clashing dishes, the loud laughter, and the din of countless conversations, she recognized the sound of my voice.

Can you hear Him calling?

What I’ve discovered is that our voices are unique. Imagine if your mom and dad had the same voice. That would be creepy! What if your favorite singer’s voice sounded like “Doc”, the inventor of the first time machine from “Back to the Future”? Hmmm, no need to download that song.

The unique sound of our voice is like a fingerprint.

It’s that uniqueness that makes me, me. Each of us have been created special and exceptional in God’s sight. The Scriptures note that we are created in His image. (Genesis 1:27)

As a little girl, I loved going to my grandma’s house. Years later, when she moved to Puerto Rico and the years of life were added, her voice was still Grandma’s voice.

Get a cold, and our voice might get raspy for a short time. Spend some time at the roller rink screaming over the noise and music, and our voices might get hoarse. But this unique feature is one of our trademarks. My voice is still mine.

God, who made us, is that way too. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) When God speaks through His Word, the heart of God is exposed and is the same from Genesis to Revelation. He loves us in Genesis and through Revelation.

That’s one way we recognize when he speaks. He does not contradict himself.

God, who created life, would not ask us to harm ourselves. God, who sent his Son as a payment for sin, does not want anyone to leave this earth without this gift.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

Have you heard him speak? Has he been calling you? 

His Voice is like no one else. When he speaks, things go into motion: creation, salvation, and the redemptive plan for mankind unleashed.

God speaks through His Word, the Bible. We get to know him better as we remain in it.

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Lie your back on the countless grains of sand. Look up to his handiwork, the stars that he placed in the sky speak of Him, our Creator. He is everywhere!

I pray that my ears and sight would become keener. Not only to recognize friends from my past but to recognize the God of my present and future!

He's everywhere! Can you hear him?

God bless you!~Liz