February 14, 2024
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When I was growing up, one of my weaknesses in sports was that I could not throw a ball very far or very accurately. Playing football, I could run fast and catch the ball fairly consistently. Playing baseball, I could hit the ball well but I was a horrible fielder. It was very clear to me that throwing a ball well was not one of my strengths. That’s one of the reasons I ran track.
One weekend, we were in Galveston. My daughters, Erin and Lindsay, were about four years old. We were walking down to the beach and we had to pass by a vacant house built on piers where we had been warned that a pack of large dogs was hanging around on the deck. They had been bothering people and we needed to be careful.
I told the girls to stay close. While I was walking and talking with my father-in-law, and before I knew it, Lindsay was heading for the beach. I looked up and saw the dogs and they saw her. There were about five or six of them. They started down the stairs, I screamed at Lindsay to stop and I took off running as fast as I could. But I realized there was no way that I could get to Lindsay before the lead dog got to Lindsay. I had a freshly opened can of beer in my hand and, while running at full speed, I threw that can as hard as I could. The dog was about thirty feet from me and closing fast on Lindsay. It wasn’t a very long throw but it was a very important throw. The can hit the lead dog squarely in the head, he yelped and rolled, the other dogs stopped and I got to Lindsay.
My father-in-law was impressed – and I was thankful!
I had known all of my life that I could not throw well. Maybe God designed me with that weakness so that He could show His strength when Lindsay and I needed Him the most. I believe God saved Lindsay from whatever might have happened had that dog gotten to her by giving me the ability to accurately and powerfully throw that ball and hit that dog. That was a miracle. The Lord showed His strength in my weakness. The Bible says, “But he (Christ Jesus) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
The Lord is our Helper and He helps us in times of need. The Bible says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Some folks might interpret what happened as simply good luck or coincidence. How am I sure it was God? While I appreciate that there may be possible alternative explanations, I believe God worked through me to protect one of the most precious people in my life, my daughter Lindsay. I believe in God and His promises. That’s my worldview. As a Christian believer, faith, not coincidence, is my default.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, the Lord is our Helper. He shows His strength in our weakness!
QUESTION
How has the Lord helped you when you could not help yourself?
PRAYER
Lord, we are thankful that You are our God and our Creator. We are thankful for the strengths you have given us. May we use them to serve You and others. And we are also thankful for our weaknesses. We trust You and are confident that when we are in need, You will help us according to your Will.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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