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

Angels October 25, 2008

                                             

ANGELS ON EARTH

                                                      

Scripture: For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways Psalms 91:11

 

My position as a Director of Nursing in a long term care facility sometimes required long hours. On this particular day in January of 2001, I was running later than usual on my commute to work. The day before, I had worked 16 hours and I almost took the day off because I was so late getting home the night before. But I really needed to attend an important meeting at 10 am.

 

I had sold my 1997 Mustang in order to get a bigger car with a smoother ride. I borrowed a car from my Daddy until I could get another one. So, I was driving what I lovingly referred to as, “the land barge”, a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis, built like a tank.

As I was driving to work, a day just like any other day, I stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. I remember thinking that I should pull up to the driver beside me and tell him that his hubcap was about to fall off. The next thing I remember is hearing a loud noise and looking to the left. I saw a huge truck on its side sliding toward me at a phenomenal rate of speed. Sparks flying I knew that it was going to hit me and it did. I only had time to say, “Lord, that is going to hit me!”. I grabbed the steering wheel as tight as I could. It happened so fast.

 

I never lost consciousness. I do not remember feeling the actual impact. Jesus and His mighty angels got to me before the truck did. I do not recall being knocked 275 feet into a gas station parking lot. I don’t remember being airborne. I do remember something else though. I remember an incredible feeling of awesome peace and love like I have never experienced before. I had a glimpse of heaven. The hedge of protection came between me and that huge truck. My car was crumpled into a heap of metal and I was trapped inside. But inside the car were angels. I saw them and I felt them. They were there immediately, and I remember saying to them to go ahead and take me if it was time. I had no fear of going with them. I wanted to go with them. Nothing else mattered. I did not hear any audible voices but I knew somehow that I was not going to die, not yet. Somehow they told me that. Jesus was there. He did not speak but I felt His arms around me. Even after the paramedics got me into the ambulance, the angels were still with me, I knew they were there and that was all that mattered. Their presence was overwhelming.

 

At the hospital I could hear all the nurses and doctors talking and scrambling while they worked with me. I knew that I was critical and that I was loosing blood. I could feel myself slipping away. I knew that the angels were there just in case. By the time I was evaluated in the emergency room the pain was almost unbearable. Again, I saw the light of the angels, small tiny brilliant lights circling around above me. Even through the pain I smiled and felt comforted by their presence. I talked to them, this time asking for them to take me because the pain was so intense. The things of this earth were “strangely dim”. The next thing I remember is seeing my husband and my parents. Then I started to cry. Doctors were rushing me to surgery. A surgical nurse leaned down and called my name, “Angela, in a minute you will be asleep and you are going to be fine.” Then she started praying for me so quietly and sweetly in my ear as the anesthesia took effect.

 

I woke up in the ICU and recovery began. The first thing I told my mother was about the angels. I continue to improve everyday and I have come a long way in healing since that day. My life will never be the same. I strive to never forget the feeling I had that day. I almost left this world, and in the process I was given a great gift from God. He offered to me the blessed assurance of His presence and His awesome power and love. I never want to forget this small glimpse of heaven. I felt the incredible love of God present with me in “the land barge”.

 

 

Lord Jesus. Thank You for Your awesome love and protection. Thank You Jesus for the angels that watch over us. Bring to our remembrance Your Words as You tell us “Fear not, for I am with you.”. In Your Holy name I pray. Amen

 

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gracenotes1@bellsouth.net

Angela Posey-Arnold