I was recently teaching a course on Old Testament History.  On our last class together, I told them that the Old Testament history could be summed up in three statements.

• God was faithful to Israel.
• Israel was sometimes faithful to God.
• Israel was often unfaithful to God.

Then I said, “Of course, that is also the history of the entire human race, including each one of us.”

Then I split the class into three small groups, and we shared stories of God’s faithfulness, our unfaithfulness, and our faithfulness.

One student pursued this same theme in her post-class journal entry.  I asked my student if I could share her journal entry.  She graciously wrote the following:

“Yes, you have permission to share. I’m comfortable with you using my name as long as you promise to give God all the glory.”

“Deb Taylor

Journal, Week #5

Story of God’s Faithfulness

In the early days of my spiritual journey, I learned that my Dad had fallen off a ladder and he had broken his back.  Home alone, he crawled to a phone and called 911.  Paramedics met the local police at his home and he was taken to the hospital. When I was notified, I immediately drove to the hospital.  On my way, I felt a desire to pray with (not just for) my Dad.  In the moment, this seemed ridiculous. My Dad was not a faithful man and I was very new in my faith.  Immediately, I began to negotiate with God.  “Lord, if you will create the space and give me the words, I will pray OUT LOUD with my Dad.”  Of course, I had no expectation that God would answer my prayer.  In fact, I sort of hoped that he wouldn’t.  When I arrived at the hospital, there were five people in the room.  I remember thinking, “Clearly, God wouldn’t have me pray in front of these people!”  Within two minutes, the two nurses left the room, my aunt and uncle went to the cafeteria, and my Mom left to smoke a cigarette.  My Dad and I were alone in the room.  God had created the space.  My next embarrassing thought was this:  I need the words.  In a few minutes, my Dad asked me to get a comb for him.  He said it was located in the drawer of the nightstand.  I opened the drawer to find only two things; a comb and a booklet titled How to Pray for a Loved One.  Seriously?!  Does God have a sense of humor or what?!  There I stood, next to my Dad’s hospital bed, seeing God’s obvious faithfulness.  I asked him, “Dad, may I pray for you?”  Looking up at me, he said, “Sure.  Why?  Do you think I’m gonna die?”  Using the simple words provided in that tiny book, I prayed for my Dad.  I can’t remember the words, but I do remember the presence of the Lord.  He is so very faithful.

Story of My Unfaithfulness

Not too long ago, I was having a challenging day at work. Thinking I had privacy, I shared my worries with a peer. She was a fellow believer, a friend, someone I could trust.  In the moment, I felt the whisper of the Lord, “Shhh.”  I ignored the prompting to ZIP IT.  Truly, it didn’t occur to me that my venting was really gossiping.  I had no idea that our conversation was being overheard.  Days later, I learned that someone had shared the details of that conversation with my supervisor.  My reputation was damaged and my relationship with my boss was dented, neither beyond repair, but the entire situation could have been avoided if I had walked in obedience.

Story of My Faithfulness to God

Mission trips to Haiti can be energizing and also emotionally depleting.  After one particularly difficult morning of serving in the local prison and then teaching Bible stories in the brothel, I retreated to my tent to recharge.  I rested, read, and journaled before asking the Lord how he might have me spend my afternoon. With clarity, I felt his nudge go to the Eye Surgery Clinic.  “No, not me! That must be a mistake. I faint when I see blood.  You wouldn’t want ME to go THERE…”  Slowly, I walked in the direction of the Eye Clinic.  On my way, I met one of the pastors at the mission.  He asked if I might have time to help him.  “Of course!”  (I was looking for any other possible afternoon assignment.)  “Wonderful,” he said, “Please go to the Eye Clinic.  We have over 700 people lined up, waiting for prayer.  Please start praying for people.”