Healing and Hope November 11, 2009

Healing does not always mean total health. Sometimes for many people it means one day at a time. Dealing with chronic illness and pain is not for sissys. After years of waking up and going to bed in pain day in and day out the person does one of two things. They give in to the pain and give up. Or they get tough. Getting tough is the hard part but it can be done. Pain can be controlled with medications, exercises, therapy, but mostly dealing with it requires faith and hope.

In 2001 my life went from full speed 60 hour work weeks of Directing Nursing Care of 103 elderly or otherwise disabled patients to being disabled myself. A screeching halt to a busy full life is definetly a culture shock. I left one world and entered another. No longer was I in the race of working to heal and help others now  I had to learn to help myself. In doing so over the last almost 9 years I have learned better ways to care for those in chronic pain. Not because I learned it in a text book or in clinicals but because I lived it. I know what it feels like.

As an RN the hardest thing for me is to know that no one, no surgery, no medication, nothing can change my condition. It is progressive and by all medical and scientific purposes it will get worse. But, I know a Savior that helps me everday. Emotionally and Spiritually I am whole, I am healed. This temporary body my soul is in is just that, temporary. While I am in it I know my limitations and my life is peaceful and slow. I like that. I don’t mind being at home everyday, I know when I need to rest and when I can do a little more. That in itself is a gift. God has given me exactly the things I need to continue to have a full happy joyful life even in the midst of the pain.

So many people do not understand because for one thing I don’t really look sick. My problems are not visible. I tried for a while to make people understand but I am finished with that. It doesn’t matter whether they understand or not. I know I am not the only one who feels this way or who deals with these issues. Because of Lisa Copen and her ministry at Rest Ministries and Hope Keepers I know I am not alone. I also know there are many who suffer alone and need a touch from you, a prayer, a note of encouragment. Many do not know how to help those with chronic pain and illness the following article written by Lisa is informative and so helpful.

She has given Hope Keepers members the right to share this article on our blog.

Ministering to the Chronically Ill: 20 Ways That Take 20 Minutes
by Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey and asked people to “List some of the programs or resources a church could offer to make it more inviting comfortable” They have provided a sampling of some of the 800+ responses, all of which could be done in 20 minutes or less.

1. Encouragement emails.

2. Make sure the handicapped stalls in the restroom are functioning and clean.

3. Padded chairs or cushions, room for wheelchairs, and plenty of room for my family to sit with me.

4. Be open-minded about a support group for the chronically ill like HopeKeepers. It would make me feel very special, knowing that there is an understanding of people’s needs that are not always visible.

5. Add more disabled parking, even if they are temporary spots.

6. Educate the ushers that people arriving late may have difficulty walking or getting out of cars and will need some assistance.

7. Ask volunteers to call people with chronic illness just to check on them when they don’t make it to services.

8. When suppers are given, recognize that I may need help getting my meal–or at least understand that I won’t be able to wait in a long line.

9. Be gentle when giving people big hugs. It can topple over or hurt a person.

10. Have a video tape of the service, not just a live web cast. Not all our computers work that well.

11. Make sure that the church doors aren’t too difficult to open or at least have mechanical assistance if they’re unusually heavy.

12. Stop telling me that if I really believed and had faith I would be healed by now. Please don’t insist how good I look, because I know for a fact that I look terrible and miserable that day.

13. Offer me ways to serve within the church that can be performed regularly, but not on a set schedule. I still want to contribute, but I need some flexibility so that I can do a job when I feel well enough to do so.

14. Have sermon notes available so I can listen later or even just review what I didn’t catch the first time.

15. Acknowledge National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Rest Ministries has a nice book list of top 100 Christian books for the chronically ill. It would make a nice display in your bookstore that week.

16. Just mention chronic illness occasionally! Don’t forget to talk about it in sermons as one of the challenges many people face just like unemployment or divorce.

17. Have Christian volunteers from church that will clean house for small fee. Some have offered to clean my house, but I cannot accept charity yet, but neither can I afford to pay a regular house cleaning service.

18. Help with some of the small costs of providing encouraging books and resources for the church library the chronically ill can check out.

19. Remember how many caregivers are in the church, not just caregiving for their parents, but also for their spouses or ill children.

20. Have copies of sermons for free on CD or computer.

Find over 500 ways to encourage a chronically ill friend in the book “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend” at www.beyondcasseroles.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know that some days can seem like more than you can handle. Remember that the Lord promises to never leave you or forsake you. Cling to that. Even when you don’t feel his presence He is still there. I tell my 6-year-old son that God is working “under cover.” I know I am each day, especially righr now!

Blessings,

Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries Founder
Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support

 

A Letter to You from Your Guardian Angel July 23, 2009

A Love Letter

By Angela Posey-Arnold

Greetings to you, my charge, in the name of The Lord our God and Creator Who lovingly assigned me to you. There are just a few things we need to clear up. I suppose it is odd for you to get a letter from me, your Guardian Angel, but I can’t wait any longer to serve this message to you.

I bring glorious good tidings of great joy. It is in my job description. I know you can’t see me but you know I am there. Remember just last week you felt my presence? Yes, that was me, sent by God to comfort and protect you. I am always with you. Possibly you know my work.

I want you to know that I am not in the little golden pin you see on lapels throughout your culture. I am surely not a trumpet toting porcelain figurine on the coffee table.  

I am a messenger and a protector for you. Everything I do is by command of God. I am very old according to your standards and I have been there with you through every trail and every joy. I was there to hear your borning cry and I will be there the day you leave earth. I am fascinated with you.

Be confident of the daily care and protection I was created for. You are the reason God sent me. But, make no mistake about it; God is the One worthy of worship. It makes me very uncomfortable when humans set us angels higher than we should be. Your worship and all your love must remain with God lest you be deceived.

Sometimes I ponder as you go about your daily business if you really know me or what it is you think of me. So many years have rolled by and I am concerned that you truly must understand who I am and why God created me. I want you to know God’s truth about angels. God is sovereign, only Him do we worship. You worship Him and I worship Him. I want you to know me because I will be a part of your eternal environment.

I am eternal and I am always pointing you in the right direction-toward God. Remember how we sang when Jesus was born. We were pointing you to Him then.

As an angel I already know the fullness of heaven. Someday, my beloved, you will experience it with me. Angels do God’s perfect will and we do so gladly. You can find everything you need to know about me in God’s Holy Word. Don’t pray to me, pray to Him. And for heaven’s sake don’t set me up as an idol. Talk about uncomfortable—that really gets under my wings. I am just a ministering spirit sent to serve the redeemed.

Some humans see us from time to time and some do not. As wonderful as it would be to be visible in your presence God has given you something better. He has given you the greatest gift of all. His absolute presence through His Holy Spirit.

I am far more involved in your world than you realize. That is why I am writing this letter. I want you to know me and the amazing things God’s Word tells you about me and my kind. Reading and meditating on His Word will bring you closer to Him, and that is what I want for you. His Word has over 300 references to my kind. We know He loves us and created us for a very special purpose.

When you die you will not be an angel. You will still be the redeemed. You will have songs to sing that we can’t sing, but we rejoice with you. Some humans may criticize you for believing in me, but don’t let that worry you one bit. You are in better company than they are.

Oh, and don’t be like those Sadducees. They really were ‘sad you see’. We all know what happened to them and they did not believe in us. We watched as the apostles were brought before the no-such-thing-as-angels crowd. Those Sadducees spurned angels; they also dropped from history within a generation. The imprisoned apostles simply obeyed God’s message delivered by none other than yours truly. They changed history’s course forever.

I love Matthew 25:31 “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,” Actually, I can’t wait for this day and we are in constant preparation. You should be too.

In closing, my beloved, remember to worship and pray to God. Only the Creator is worthy of worship, not the created. Prepare for the coming again of your Savior Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit within you. I will be with you. I think you are wonderful.

Angel kisses from heaven,

Your Guardian Angel

The Hole in Your Soul June 24, 2009

Faith Fills the Hole in Our Soul

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

Have you ever read this chapter of Hebrews? I counted the word faith 24 times in this one chapter. Paul illustrates historical examples of how faith worked in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Faith brought down the walls of Jericho and closed the mouths of lions. Faith in Jehovah God can set you free. Faith can make you whole.

Faith works the same way today as it did in the days of Daniel. Can you imagine the faith of Shadrach, Meschak and Abednego? Three Hebrew children, who would not worship the King but held tight to their devotion to Jehovah, were cast into a fiery furnace. They were not burned. When we pray, we are demonstrating faith that God is there and that He hears our prayers.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Without faith what hope is there? Hope is the trust that God indeed loves us and answers our prayers. Without hope there is only doubt, fear and despondency. Consider those who are lost and outside of God’s protection. It is a dismal consideration. Without Jesus Christ there is only hopelessness. Some may put their trust and hope in other people or in money but a hope placed in these can only bring disappointment and grief. Men may disappoint and desert you, but God never will. He is always there. When we need Him He carries us when we can’t even walk. Sometimes, the things of this life are overwhelming. Without hope, faith and trust in Him, how can we possibly hope?

Faith is the knowledge that life on earth is not all there is. Faith is in knowing that beyond this life we have life eternal with God. I know people who believe that this life is all there is, that when we die, that is just the end. How sad it would be to go through everyday thinking that all we had to hope for is nothing. As Christians we have faith that one day we will be in heaven and abide with Him. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Do not be deceived. There is one and only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is all you have to know to be saved. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son and whosoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

In this life on earth we have two choices. We can believe and be saved or we can reject Jesus and go to hell. It is that simple.

To have faith there must be belief. Unbelievers have no hope. Faith is so simple. God made His gospel so simple even little children can understand it. It doesn’t take great intellect to understand that God made us. He loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us. Some scholars have tried to disprove God’s Word. They have taken away their own hope. They try to reason too much about this simple story. By picking apart the Word of God they have made it hard. The brain God gave them has gotten in the way of being able to believe.

Humility and faith go hand in hand. There are times when nonbelievers think they have it all figured out and they feel they have out smarted God. This is a major stumbling block for them to believe. It blinds them to the simple faith that passes all understanding. We as humans are not meant to know everything. If God wanted us to know everything now He would have told us in His Word. What He did tell us is He loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. No one can disprove this no matter how hard they try.

All human beings have a big hole in their soul. People try to fill this hole with many things. Money, prestige, fame, fortune, drugs, alcohol, sex but they will always come up empty. The hole will still be there. The only thing that fits in the hole is God and his love for us.

Faith fills up the hole and makes us whole. Trying to fill this hole in our soul with anything but God is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit. Nothing will fill the hole except for the power and love of God. He created us with the hole in our soul. He created us to only be completely at peace when we fill the hole with His love.

What we know as Christians is we have the faith one great day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now there is something you can put your faith in. There is the hope that fills the hole in the soul. There is the answer.

Dear Lord Help us to demonstrate our faith in You so that others may believe. Help us to help the lost fill the holes in their souls with Your love. Thank you for Your Word and Your peace. We praise You and love you, let Your light so shine that others may see You in us everyday. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

How do you fill the hole in your soul?
Does your faith shine so that others may see something in you that they desire?
How can we reach those who need Jesus the most?

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008

4Him2U June 24, 2009

SonRise Writers group publishes a web mag every month. www.4Him2U.com is a source of encouragement and inspiration. Visit, stay a while or subscribe. You’ll be glad you did!!

A Child of the King June 24, 2009

A Child of the King

By Angela Posey-Arnold

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children—think of it—and we really are!……(1 John 3:1 The Living Bible)

I sit here this morning at my desk and look at a picture of myself and my husband made twelve years ago. I am amazed as I reflect upon all that has happened in our lives since then.

Recalling memories of the past, twelve years ago seems like another life time. Since that time we have been through an intensive and heart breaking court battle leaving part of our family in shambles. We survived a horrible wreck and its aftermath. Our family has experienced illnesses and betrayals that took their toll on us all. There has been heartbreak of family division and the sudden unexpected death of a dear friend.

As I reflect on the trials I realize after every trial came spiritual growth. After every pressing came blessing. Perseverance and faith in God’s promises rang true each and every time. He never let us down and our faith grew. We came through the storms and on the other side of the storm was a rainbow and sunny skies, every single time.

In the trials, in the suffering we saw miracles, one after another. Maybe we did not see the miracle at the time it was happening, but in reflecting the miracles are brought to light. It was a miracle just to have survived some of those things. I am not surprised that we were brought through each trial. Coming out on the other side of each trial brought us closer to God. He promised He would be with us. He was. He never moved. No matter what life has thrown at us—God has kept His promises.

With each trial we had the choice of whether to turn to Him and trust Him or tread water in a desperate attempt not to drown. Too many times I first chose to tread water, leaning on my own understanding and strength. It was a bad choice every time. The bad choices were nutrients to my growth as a Christian. Through trials and tears I learned to pray first. Always pray first.

While going through the extremely difficult court battle with my husband’s ex-wife I felt like I was under attack. She was relentless in her aggressions motivated only by greed and hate. I remember being on my knees in the bathroom of the court house praying for strength. Other than our pocket book being lighter for her efforts—we survived. We grew, learned and continued to love. God never put us down. He carried us right through it.

I am blessed with a family of missionaries. One year while they were on mission I found myself alone in the midst of a storm. Again I was on my knees in a bathroom. (My husband says I could probably find a more sanitary place to kneel and pray).

This time down on my knees in a hospital cardiac unit bathroom. My husband was having an emergency heart catheterization. I cried out to God again. He, so loving and kind, answered me. He strengthened me and carried me through to the other side of the storm. The doctor said that my husband had the cleanest pipes he had ever seen. The problem was misdiagnosed acid indigestion, Praise God.

Have you ever watched a father and a child? The father picks up the child; the little one starts to squirm and is ready to go again. The father keeps his watchful eye on the child because he knows even though he must let the child learn by his own mistakes, he will stumble and fall. The father knows he needs to be there to catch the baby.

It won’t be long until the child stumbles and the father is picking the child up again and again and again. God is like that with us. He picks us up and lifts us up when we choose to let Him. He allows us free will but He keeps a watchful eye on us knowing that we will learn from our mistakes, but we will stumble. And when we do He is there. He sees us stumble. He hears our prayers. He picks us up and dust us off and heads us in the right direction.

When life gets so heavy that we can’t move He is faithful. The miracle of it all is He is always there. Oh, I may loose sight of Him and try to fix everything on my own. He understands. I think He just shakes His head and says, “There she goes again.”

So when life throws me another curve what am I going to do? Am I going to hit my knees first and turn to Him or will I worry, fret and freak out until finally as a last resort I fall on my knees and pray?

I think I will look back on all the times His love has seen me through. I have learned. I hope next time, I will seek Him first. Next time I will rest in His arms and quit squirming so much. In doing so, the next 12 years will be so much better.

Thank You God for Your everlasting love. I know that I am just as a child, lost without You. I am so thankful for Your love. It is so awesome to know You are always there. Help me to always look to You first knowing Your love is there, all I have to do is reach up. Wonderful it is to know I am a child of the King!! Glory and praise to You. In Jesus Holy Name I pray. Amen.

©2008 Angela Posey-Arnold

Are You Comfortable In Church? February 6, 2009

Do You Feel Comfortable In Church? If your answer is no, then I have some good news for you. Do you have a problem with organized religion? Then I have good news for you too. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you, not a religion.

I am so pleased to announce the beginning of a brand new God inspired web-site–www.TimeWithChrist.org. It is so amazing how God works things out. Like a puzzle, pieces just fall into place right on time. My dear friend and ex-boss (odd combo I know) works for the Salvation Army. She is the Director of Homeless Services. Valerie finds herself in many meetings when not being a first responder or running the men’s homeless shelter.

Recently, at one such meeting she met a spirit filled young man who told her about God’s call on his life. He is a commercial airplane pilot and in his ‘ground time’ he is being obedient to the call. He has started a web-site called www.timewithchrist.org.

 Because of my connection with Valerie I contributed a couple of stories to his site. From there we all began to talk about the purpose of the site. Valerie and I both are now Board Members for the ministry, contributing writers and prayer warriors as well.

 A relationship with Christ is so much more than “religion” as today’s society sees it. Being a Christian is all about a personal relationship with Christ, not a man made religion. This is the focus of the web site–to clear up this mis-understanding and to reach those who can’t get past the “religion” to find themselves in church.

 Visit the site–invite people you know who need to hear this message. I am very excited to see where God will take this, and how He will work it all for good, bringing sheep into the fold–right into the arms of Christ. www.timewithchrist.org

 Sincerely–I hope to see you there. Sign Up!!

 Angela

Sweet Surprises and Little Pecan Pies February 5, 2009

This devotional is the last in the Lenten Book series. It has certainly been a joy and blessing for me to be able to edit testimonies written by my Mother, and two dear dear friends, and last but not least–my brother. Today’s message comes to us from the inspiration of Stan Posey, my brother, and Pastor of New Harmony United Methodist Church.

Sweet Surpise

 

Read Psalm 119

 

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  Psalm 119:103 (NIV)

 

Those little pecan pies call to me from the check-out counter at convenience stores.  From my growing up years, I remember them as “Bama” brand pies; it’s hard to find those in north-central Florida.  But a reasonable substitute, homemade by different people, appear late fall in stores. Happily just before Christmas, one of those treats made by “Aaron” jumped into my hand when I stopped for a cup of coffee.

 

Climbing into my jeep and opening the pie as quickly as possible, I peeled off the plastic wrap and a small Christian tract dropped into my lap. “Aaron’s” had carefully folded the tract underneath the little aluminum pan.  Who knows how many others with a sweet tooth got tapped on the shoulder in the same way?  Aaron’s extra treat was a special blessing, all the sweeter in the surprise.

 

Aaron’s ministry is a reminder for us. We should always be sharing the Word of God, and always ready to hear it for ourselves in a new way.  The Word of God  refreshes us and strengthens us, with sweetness greater than any other treat – even a little pecan pie.

 

Lord, remind me my real hunger is for You.  Keep me open to Your Word, and always ready to savor its sweetness. Help us to bodly share Your Word in new and creative ways. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Prayer focus: Creative Ministries

 

Thought for the Day: Share God’s Word

 

Stan Posey

Live Oak, Florida

 

awesome–thanks Stan!!

Jesus Died for You January 27, 2009

In continuation of the series of devotionals for the upcoming lenten book, today’s devotional is a testimony of how God speaks to our hearts. Thanks to Mrs. Freda Crumpton for sharing this.

Jesus Died For All

 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies ( John 11:25NIV)

 

Read John 11:25-57

 

 

A mirrored cross graces the First United Methodist Church in Haleyville, Alabama. The front of the cross is smooth and plain but the sides and the top are broken pieces of mirror all glued together. Each broken piece placed side by side and on top of each other with cracks in between both large and small.  We use this cross for many different worship altars.

 

Recently in a service we used this cross. As I sat down I realized I was sitting directly in front of the cross. All I could see was my reflection in the cross. I sat there for a few minutes thinking ‘this cross is for me.  Jesus died on that cross because of me.  He gave His life for me’.

 

Although deeply touched I became uncomfortable, maybe it was mostly guilt or just plain shame, whatever it was I changed seats with someone else.

 

Gaining courage to look again at the cross I could no longer see just me.  I saw the faces of my friends, my loved ones, my church family, some were broken, some were cracked, some small, others larger, then I knew. The cross is ours. Jesus died for all of us.  None of us are worthy, we all are guilty and full of shame but God’s Grace through His son Jesus is free to us all. His marvelous grace makes us free to live forever.

 

Heavenly Father, All praise and thanks be to You. Your grace and love went to the cruel cross of Calvary to save us and set us free. With Jesus we are free indeed. We love you and praise You forever. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen. 

 

Prayer Focus: Those who don’t know Jesus.

 

Thought for today: Jesus died for you.

 

©Freda Crumpton

 

 

Reach Out January 22, 2009

Over the last few days I have had the gracious opportunity to lend my writing assistance to my Mother and two of her dear friends and sisters in Christ. They all attend the church where I grew up, Haleyville First United Methodist Church in Haleyville, Alabama.

The Pastor initiated a new program for Lent this year. He asked for 40 people to write a devotional. Just one per person. These devotionals are to be used in a Lenten Worship Devotional Booklet in service of the Lenten Season.

I have been blessed to be able to be the editor for these three devotionals–My Mother’s, her dear friend, Maryanna Foster and a very special lady whom I have always known, Mrs. Freda King Crumpton. I could start with how Mother knew Freda when she was a baby and how Freda babysat me when I was a baby but let’s just suffice it to say, we are all life time church family.

As a Christian Writer I read and wrtie devotionals and articles everyday. I read many other writer’s but it is rare to obtain stories from real Christians who spend their time serving and blessing others in many ways besides writing about it. Since they so graciously asked me to edit their peices I have been blessed by each story. I have asked each of them if it is okay for me to share their stories. They are excited about that.

In this form I will share each story in my blog. In another form these will all be submitted for publication.

My prayer is that you are as blessed as I have been by these three servants of God. I will post My Mother’s first. If you are blessed by this, email me and I will pass it on to them. They would love that.

Outreach

By Bonnie Posey

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Being of a ‘certain age’ and a member of Haleyville First United Methodist Church most of my life, I have always been confident we were a church doing the Lord’s work. Several years ago a brash young preacher assigned to us took a very good deep look at us. In love and honesty he said, “You are the best church I have ever seen at taking care of yourselves, now you are going to reach out to others. This church is going to reach out next June to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. It will be a mission outreach.”

My initial response was, “I will plan the trip but I am not going out west in the summer, it will be too hot.” Famous last words. My husband, Merle, said “Sure, we can do that.” So away we went along with 32 other people from this church and two other congregations in our district. Each person seeking something different. Some just looking to sightsee the Indians or Monument Valley. But all were available to be used by God. I’ve learned, God is not looking for ability; He is looking for availability, willing vessels to be used by Him.

Personally, I became available to the call I had been hearing since I was a teen sitting in the balcony of this same church hearing missionaries sharing their experiences in far off lands. God has shown me the call to mission and outreach can be in a ‘not so far off land’. It can be in New Mexico, Eastern Kentucky, Cherokee, North Carolina, Wyoming, and Mississippi or right in your own back door. Possibly every Tuesday morning serving on the Helping Hand committee.

When I made myself available to be used by God for His purposes He used me to reach out to others. All of us have the potential to do great things for God with the gifts and talents He has so graciously given. God is looking for willing vessels with an open heart to be available for Him to work through.

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

Dear God, You love all Your children. Teach me to use my time and gifts to serve others. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

www.angelaposeyarnold.com

In Her Own Words–InkIt Blog January 6, 2009

“Real life in the real world is a tough, nitty-gritty journey that every pilgrim on planet earth must make. Moving to Disney World is not an option. There will be tribulation; Jesus said so. But be of good cheer. He’s still in the business of guiding and strengthening and healing and overcoming.”

~ When the Glass Slipper Doesn’t Fit by Claire Cloninger and Karla Worley~

I got lost at Disney World. I think I must have been 8 years old, my brother 10. My family travelled from Alabama with several other dear friends to Orlando, Florida during spring break. Disney World was a three day adventure.

So excited about the tea cup ride coming up next I did not want to stop to eat, but everyone else did. There I was in my Mickey Mouse ears pitching a fit because I did not want to eat Polynesian food. My Daddy told my brother to hold my hand and we could go to the next booth and get a hamburger. Off we went into the huge crowd of people, loosing sight of Momma and Daddy.

Somehow we got seperated in the crowd and I found myself very lost and very afraid. I stood still as big strange people walked around me. All I could do was stand there and look for my brother. Everyone was a stranger. It seemed like hours I stood there hamburger in hand waiting on somebody to find me.

I suppose it was only minutes but I looked up and saw my Daddy. I still couldn’t move. He picked me up and hugged me, then he did the strangest thing. He spanked me. He spanked ME. I figured it anyone needed a spanking it would be my brother. After all–he was the one who lost me. But, no Daddy spanked me. The two spanks stung a little but what really hurt was the fear I caused him by “getting lost”.

I just remember being stunned. he found me, hugged me then spanked me. Go figure. Then he said, “Don’t ever, ever do that again.” At the time I was not sure of what I had done. Now I know, I had become distracted. I did not pay attention to my brother holding my hand. I had gotten lost because I did not pay attention.

A similar occurance happened to me at about the age of 18. I left home and went to college and I got lost. Not from Daddy or from my brother, but from Jesus. College was very confusing. The world became more important to me than anything else. I lost sight of Jesus. 

Standing there as life passed by in a sea of Babylonian mentality I thought the world was a party and it was all about me. Trials came, I realized I was lost and it took me several years and many falls to find my way back to where I belonged.

I found myself and I found Jesus again. He never moved. When I fell to my knees and ask Him to forgive me, He picked me up, dusted me off, hugged me and has not let go since then. I know what I did wrong and like my Daddy, Jesus lovingly said, “Don’t ever, ever do that again.”

“Oh Jesus, I won’t.”

Angela Posey-Arnold

Angela