Something very unusual is happening . . .
It is a rough weekend. Sean’s shoulder aches badly, and I am experiencing a relapse in my health. Both of us are fighting waves of discouragement. Early Tuesday morning, we pray before Sean leaves for work. I pray to forgive someone who upset me, and Sean repents of being self-absorbed.
Sean and I finish our time of prayer, and I lie in bed listening to my “Therapy” playlist on Spotify. The first song is called “Fear Is A Liar” by Zach Williams.
When the song finishes, I hear the sound of ocean waves. I think at first that I added this to my playlist. As I listen to the music, I picture Jesus asking me to walk with Him along the beach. I imagine walking with Jesus by the ocean.
In my mind the scene changes. Now I am in a boat on the ocean and surrounded by stormy waves.
I hear Jesus say, “Get out of the boat!”
I feel scared to leave the boat and walk on the water to Jesus.
“Do you trust me?” Jesus asks.
“Yes, I am trying,” I reply. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
I decide to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus.
The ocean wave sounds stop and the next song on the playlist begins. The next song is called “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams.
Both these songs were recently part of my therapy session a few weeks ago as I created a collage with my art work.
I check my playlist. There are no ocean waves on the list.
Later, I check another setting on my phone that has ocean sounds, but it is not turned on.
As I rise from my bed, I hear this thought in my mind. “You need to write this down.” I journal about the event and also text Sean and our therapist about what happened. I close my text with this statement: “Kinda weird, huh?”
Our therapist replies with this photo
His text with photo says: “In Christ”
What should I make of all this? Is it just the combination of a glitch on my phone and an overactive imagination?
Liberty in Christ
A prayer of repentance and forgiveness
A command to get out of the boat and walk to Christ during a scary storm
Scripture
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14: 22-30 NIV)
Prayer
Good Morning Abba,
I am not sure what to think about all of this. Is this from You? Are you trying to tell me something?
What I do know is that You are good, and in Your time you will make things clear. I am resting in Your love. You are here. You are at work in my life. You are bringing healing to my soul. You are bringing healing to my family.
We choose to worship. We choose to move forward even when the waves and wind blow. We choose to keep our eyes on You.
We choose to sing and dance, laugh and shout, plant and grow, comfort and care, give and receive, trust and obey, rest and restore, heal and help, weep with those who weep, worship and adore. . .
We choose You NOW!
Bridge and bell photo courtesy of Paul Miller MaMFT
Prayer Updates
Sean had an MRI which revealed he has frozen shoulder. He plans to get a cortisol shot.
I met with my doctor this week. My bloodwork shows that the Epstein Barr virus levels remain high. My doctor thinks I may have chronic fatigue syndrome. I feel discouraged about my health. Thank you for your continued prayers.
We are looking forward to our son Kenny and his wife Haley moving back to the east coast. Pray for them during this time of transition.
healinghope4women 