Friday, February 21, 2014

Almost - M.Laycock



"Tell me your story," my friend said.

I smiled and warned her that we might be there for a while, but she said she wanted to hear all of it. And I was excited to tell it, not because it’s my story but because it is, from beginning to end, God’s story. It becomes obvious to those listening and even more, to myself, that God's hand of protection has been over all of my life. There were so many times when disastrous things almost happened; times when I almost died.

As my husband has said, "You walked into the fire and right out of it again with hardly a scratch!" Well, the smell of smoke often lingered, but he's right. I can relate to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

There was that day I should have drowned but was saved, that night I could have been raped and even murdered but was left alone, that time I ingested a poison but it left no ill effects, the times I trusted strangers who could have been demons but turned out to be angels. Over and over again God protected me.

Oh yes, I have had my share of tragedies and trials, but even in those circumstances, God was there. There was the moment when I heard those mind-numbing words, you have cancer, the days when the chemo treatments were almost too much and others when I almost could not make myself walk through the doors of the clinic where I would lay on a table and allow radiation to burn my body. There was that day I was almost overcome when I realized the child I carried would not be born alive and the day I got the phone call telling me my father had died. There were those years when the pain of the circumstances almost drove me to curse God.

In all of those times it was God’s presence, and above all His love, that kept me sane, kept me going, and kept me in the shelter of his wings. It was Jesus who kept me from going beyond ‘almost.’
I love that old song that says, “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe.” The words are true. The name Jesus keeps us safe, even in the midst of the fire or in the midst of a raging storm – not always safe from pain, but safe from separation from Him. And that is the only agony we would not survive.

These words are also true: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2Corinthians 4:7-9).

That is our testimony, our story as believers in Christ Jesus. When we have Him we will always have that word, almost.
****
Marcia Lee Laycock writes from central Alberta Canada where she is a pastor's wife and mother of three adult daughters. She was the winner of The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone. Her second novel, A Tumbled Stone was short listed in the contemporary fiction category of The Word Awards. Marcia also has two devotional books in print and several ebooks. Her work has been endorsed by Sigmund Brouwer, Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and Mark Buchanan. 





Abundant Rain, an ebook devotional for writers can be downloaded here. Visit Marcia’s Website
 





5 comments:

Peter Black said...

"Almost" -- what a great title, and what wonderful testimony, Marcia! No wonder your writing has depth and breadth.
Thank you for opening this wider window on your journey and experience, encouraging us to marvel at God's mercy and grace . ~~+~~

Glynis said...

Refining and refocus...that is what our trials do to us. Oh that we use that for the glory of our Lord Jesus. Lovely, contemplative post, Marcia. Thanks. And I agree with Peter, about the 'great title.' We are never alone in our fire.

Marcia Lee Laycock said...

Thanks for your kind comments, Glynis and Peter. :)m

Tracy Krauss said...

You are truly an inspiration to so many, Marcia. Thank you

Kimberley Payne said...

Marcia, your testimony is such an inspiration. I can resonate with you when you say, "In all of those times it was God’s presence, and above all His love, that kept me sane, kept me going, and kept me in the shelter of his wings." Amen!

Popular Posts