The situation seemed hopeless. My mother was diagnosed with metastatic stomach cancer. She was at peace with the diagnosis and decided to forego any chemotherapy. When I asked her if she needed anything, she replied that she would like to spend some time with me. Without hesitating, I agreed. I was determined to see her as often as I could, however, this was challenging. I lived in Los Angeles and she lived in Honolulu. How could I possibly accomplish this? I prayed to God and He opened doors for me to return to Hawaii. I left for Honolulu on Friday evening and returned to Los Angeles late Sunday night. I did this thirteen times in eleven months. During this hectic year, God smoothed my trips, lightening my workloads for each weekend so I would not be overwhelmed with work when I returned on Monday. I was reminded of an anonymous quotation. “The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot keep us and care for us.” Indeed! This is exactly how God intervened in my life.
Will and Grace.
No, not the popular television sitcom series. God’s will and grace.
How many times have I wondered, “How did I end up in this situation?” At times, the answer was obvious. It was my sinful choices that brought me into a predicament. However, on other times, like my mother’s struggle with her cancer, it was God opening the doors. God dramatically answered the request of my mother and my prayers and allowed us to spend precious time together in that last year of her life, sharing things only a mother and son can share. At the end of the year, she peacefully passed into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:15-17 (NLT)
When we are led by the will of God, we will always receive His grace through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. We can do this because we are adopted sons and daughters of God.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Romans 8:14 (NLT)
Amen.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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