I’m thankful for my life verse.

Jeremiah 33:3 King James Version

³ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God gave Mama this verse for me, while she was praying, when I was 9 years old. We lived in Jupiter, Fl. Dad was pastor of the First Assembly of God there.

I always felt so special, since Bubba, and Sis never got a life verse. I’ve always wondered why tho.

And my whole life, I’ve pondered what great and mighty things am I going to see?? I’ve called to Him SO MANY times!! And He has always answered me, in one way or another. At times, I have NOT liked, or appreciated the answer!! But, I know since it comes from the Father, it’s always the best thing for me.

I have called out to Him, and seen my body healed. That is a great thing! Is that what He meant??

I called out to Him, to give me a singing voice, since my Dad, and all his sisters could sing together. When I’d tried to join in, I was told, “Stop! Leave us alone! Your voice is terrible!” When I was 13, we lived close by the church. Dad and Mama were able to give me piano lessons. I practiced almost every day! After my homework was done, I’d sit there, playing one note, over and over, trying to get my voice to match that tone, praying constantly. After a year, I asked my dad to listen to me sing. He was shocked and amazed! I was asked to be in a trio!! And my aunts, after their shock and awe, let me sing with them too!! That truly was a miracle straight from God! But, in this case, I had to put in my effort too, not just pray every day for God to give me a singing voice.

Is this what He meant?? At the start, no one believed I’d ever be able to sing. And I didn’t tell them of the intensive work I was doing. I just waited till God completed the miracle, and everyone saw it!

When I was in my junior year of Bible college, my BFF, Joyous, and I cried out to Him, and we saw Him become our husband, as it says in;

Isaiah 54:5For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

He supplied all our needs, and showed us His everlasting love.

That was a MIRACLE! But one that He promised.

Is that what He meant??

I cried out for a good husband, that was tall. I said 6’7, specifically. Well, First husband is 6’5. Close enuff! He is an excellent man, very strong, great provider, good Christian. But extremely quiet, not used to dealing with strong emotions. My loudness totally overwhelmed him. We tried 3 different counselors to help. Our communication styles were just extremely at the other ends of the scale, neither one of us could understand the other. It truly felt like one of us was speaking Japanese, or something. It just didn’t work at all. No blame to him. Poor thing thing tried. I tried, till I couldn’t anymore. Then I began acting out, sexually, and the drinking. We found out about my bipolar. That helped explain some of my actions. Divorcing felt like the only thing we could do, because I truly felt like I was dying inside. This is supposed to be thankful. I am thankful that he was such a great provider!! I never had to worry about him taking care of me, and the girls.

My Mama was demanding a grandbaby when she hit 40. Half jokingly, I answered, “What color?? I’ll go out tonight and get you one!” No! That wasn’t what she meant!! It didn’t help that I wanted a baby desperately too. But first husband wanted to wait till we got settled more. Which I guess was wisdom. whatevs..

I prayed for a baby, and He gave me DD1, Crystal Elizabeth.

Her name means, “Clear gift of God.” And she certainly has been that!! I didn’t pray for DD2, but I’m so glad I have her!

Sorta looks like DD2. Except she rarely stood still for a pic! She was a perpetual motion machine!!

When my Aunt Jessie died, in Oct 1997 and we were up in GA for her funeral, Sister was crying so hard in the hotel because she wanted a baby so bad. (We have tremendously STRONG biological clocks in our family!!) She’d been married for 2 years, was 28, and couldn’t wait any longer. Mama, my 2 girls, and I laid our hands on her belly, and prayed our hearts out! She rushed home, and lo and behold! 9 months later, she held Nicholas in her arms! We have all maintained that we prayed that baby into her belly! Of course, her husband had to do his part too! lol

That was a mighty miracle! Is that what God meant??

I ‘ve seen the miracle of my sobriety, 28 years!! Is that what He meant?? But are those things I know not??

I started praying for a grandbaby too, in my late 40’s. Was it ever gonna happen in my lifetime? I was in rehab at age 51, when DD1 came in, her face shining like the sun! Oh, I hoped! But I didn’t dare to say, in case I was wrong! I wasn’t!! The next July, the joy of my life was born!! Her name means “Gift” in Hebrew, and she definitely is!! 2 1/2 years later, my other love was born. My cup ran over with absolute joy! They were so worth the wait!!

Psalm 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

I’ve seen the miracle of my nephew’s complete transformation, and mighty salvation!! We have all prayed for that boy for 16 years! Mama, Bubba, and his wife, Sheryl, then step-mom Shirley, Geri- Sheryl’s Mama, Sister, people in church.

What a mighty miracle that was!! But it sure was something I wondered if I’d ever see, in my lifetime! Geri -his maternal grandma got to see it a year before her death.

Is that what God meant??

I’m still wondering….