I’ve hesitated to share this story, but a dear friend encouraged me to do so. A few days before Thanksgiving, I woke up really early, as I do most mornings. My prayer time that morning was deep and wide. I was overcome by a wave of great joy and gratitude, mixed with some confusion and sadness about the past few years.
I’d suffered some losses but gained even more blessings. I asked God to bring final healing to my heart and Natalie’s heart as we stepped into the season of Advent and moved toward a new year. In my spirit, I felt that God promised me this: before the end of 2024, I would see signs that in our lives, difficulties would bow in the face of miracles. I claimed that promise wholeheartedly.
That day, I had lunch in downtown Atlanta. As I was eating, a cardinal kept flying into the window beside me. It would sit on the ledge, stare at me for a few seconds, and then begin flying against the clear barrier between us. This went on for about 10 minutes, so I finally snapped a few photos. It was amazing. All I can tell you is that it gave me a sense of peace that’s hard to explain. I didn’t know what it meant, but I claimed it!
Fast forward to Christmas Eve. That morning, I received phone calls from a few of my former staff members in Lexington, and it lifted my heart. That night, as I stood before the many who had come to worship God, I was reminded of that day a month earlier. In that moment, I knew that God was answering my prayer.
I’ve been blessed with healing. I’ve been blessed with a family who loves and respects me-even when I fall short. And I’ve been blessed to pastor a congregation that not only speaks of grace but practices it while standing firmly on the truth and theology of Christ and John Wesley, without regard to questionable beliefs, religious rules, or systems. God is truly good… all the time.
If you’re waiting on a healing or a miracle, don’t give up. God keeps His promises. Wait, trust, and rest. Natalie and I are choosing to live on the brink of a miracle. You’ll never receive one until you’re willing to be one. Keep moving toward hope. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
~James