saltandlight

Last week we laid to rest my first cousin, Mike. He was the first of our first cousins to pass away. He and I weren’t really close but it is still a loss that you feel. The most heart breaking part is watching my precious Aunt at 84 years old saying goodbye to one of her children.

I can’t imagine losing a child, no matter how old I am or they are. I hope I never have to know. But if I do, I hope that I can trust the Lord the way she is. Her words that she shared for my husband to read at the funeral were “Though it pains me to wonder, I have to trust that God had a reason for taking you. You will forever live in my heart, my son. Love, Mom“

Mike lived a little rough. He liked to drink, cuss and pretty much do whatever he wanted. Not that he was a bad person. He just did things his way. His mom, my Aunt Carolyn never gave up though. She continuously talked to him about God and prayed for him.

A few months before he passed away, Mike had begun to grow closer to God. He started asking his Mom questions about the Bible. I remember her calling me a couple months ago. She was so encouraged that he was talking to her about the Lord! Her prayers were being answered.

This is encouraging to me. When we have someone that we are praying for. Someone that doesn’t seem to be living for the Lord. We can’t give up on them or stop praying for them. You never know the impact your prayers may have on someone.

There’s a song by Matthew West called “Don’t Stop Praying” and there is so much truth to that song. Now when I see a hint of an answer to my prayers (especially those prayers for family members) I think of that song. You should listen to it if you haven’t heard it yet!

I have seen so many prayers answered. A lot of prayers have been answered this year after many, many years of prayer. I want to name a few things, not to brag. But I want to let you know that these are things that I have been praying for, for a very long time. (The only bragging I’m doing is bragging on my Lord and Savior!) My weight loss, I’ve lost 60+ pounds in the past 15 months! My parents are back in church. My oldest brother is involved in his church and has found a good Christian woman that he just proposed to! Our finances are doing better and we are close to being debt free. These are all things that could not have happened without the Lord! God is so good and I could go on and on and on! I just want to share as a testimony. Don’t stop praying!

Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,“

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the last of Christ.”

Blessings,

Cheryl