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We are to be thankful at all times for all that God has given us and not
fall for the enemy's lies to murmur and complain about what we don't have.
The Lord has promised to give us all that we need and He will in no way
abandon or leave us of wanting. We are to remember the goodness of God
even in the midst of the trials that we go through and know that we will
come forth victorious because of God's leading Hand. The Bible declares in
Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is
the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn
to the left.” Be encouraged and know that you are never alone and God's
spirit is right beside you to both strengthen and lead you. (1 Chron. 16:8-12)
I hope you are inspired by this message that shows how blessed we who have
the simplest accommodation of shelter really are.
HE HOLDS TOMORROW
I just returned from New Jersey. While en route there, I was stuck in
traffic on Interstate 81, just below the Virginia state line, (Bristol,
Tennessee), due to a traffic accident with a fatality involved. This
accident involved a tanker truck hauling a hazardous material load that
developed a leak, which meant that we weren't going anywhere for several hours.
After being told by the Tennessee state troopers that we would be sitting
still until the clean up was completed, I set my brakes on the truck and
got out to stretch my legs. Other truck drivers did the same, and at one
point there were 5 of us standing there by my truck, complaining.
Sitting right beside me in the left lane, were two elderly people in a
Silverado pick up truck, which was loaded quite well. The man, (Joe),
lowered his window and asked what was going on regarding the traffic situation.
Soon we were all talking with this couple. I mentioned that if I had known
about this, I would have brought something to drink, (water), for I was
becoming thirsty. The lady, (Anna), said that they had plenty of water, and
sodas in the cooler in the bed of the truck, and offered everyone present
something. While she was back there, she said that she had plenty of tuna
salad made up, and asked if we would be interested in a sandwich.
After some urging from Joe, we agreed to a sandwich. While Anna was making
the sandwiches on the tailgate of the truck, she was singing like a
songbird. To be close to 70, (I guess), she had a remarkable voice.
When she finished making the sandwiches, and putting everything up, Joe
raised the tailgate of the truck to close it. I noticed a Mississippi
license plate on it. I inquired as to what part of Mississippi they were
from. Joe said Biloxi. Knowing that Biloxi had been ravaged also by
hurricane Katrina, I asked if they sustained any damage. Joe said that they
lost everything but what they had on and what was in the pickup. All of us
drivers tried unsuccessfully to pay them for their drinks and the
sandwiches. They would have nothing to do with it.
Joe said that their son was living around Harrisonburg, Virginia and that
they were going there. He was in the real estate business and that there
was a home that became open, and that they were going to start all over
there. Staring over at their age would not be easy.
I will soon be 48 years old, and I have to say that I have never eaten a
tuna sandwich with side orders of reality and humility. These people lost
everything except their pictures, important documents, and some clothes.
Joe had managed to get their antique heirloom grandfathers clock into the
bed of the truck and Anna got her china and silverware, but that was all.
These wonderful people lost practically everything they owned and still
would not accept any money for their food and drinks. Joe said that “it was
better to give than it is to receive.”
They sought refuge behind a block wall that he had built years ago, and
they watched their belongings and their home disappear in the winds of
Hurricane Katrina. Joe said that during all this he had one hand holding
onto Anna and the other holding on to God. Their truck and themselves came
out of Katrina unscathed.
As I stated before, Anna was singing a song while making the sandwiches.
The song is titled “I know who holds tomorrow,” an old gospel song. She
knew every word, and was quite a gifted singer of it. Have you ever heard
it? The chorus of this song is:
“...Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who
holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.”
There is no doubt in my mind who was holding both their hands. Forget all
of the politics that the news is striving on, and think about people just
like Joe and Anna. If you can, help out with the victim’s relief funds. If
you cannot, at least offer a prayer for everyone.
I know that these two elderly people got to this old boy. I will always
remember them. Joe and Anna, if by some strange way you or someone you
know gets this and shows it to you, God Bless you!
By Mike Dowdy of Hartselle, Alabama
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 139:7-10 “Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee
from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make
my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning,
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead
me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I
deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He
shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and
shew him My salvation.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem190.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: IN HIS TIMING
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony163.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
