Daily Devotional

I spent all of last week at Stanford Hospital with my friend who had major back surgery. For those of you who know me you may be asking yourself, "Oh my goodness, why would she have Laurel do that?" You would think I would be the furthest person to ask to be at your bedside when you are going through extreme pain. I am not the nurturing type. But sometimes the Lord puts the most unlikely people in place to do His will.
 
I have to admit I was nervous about being able to care for her (I mean obviously the nurses and doctors are doing their part, but family and friends are important for support and company and the little things you can do for your loved ones). I was concerned: #1 Being able to care without frustrating her and #2 Caring for her without being selfish and irritated in my own attitude. I grew up with parents who were of the mindset that, unless you had a fever, you bucked up and got on with everything. I know that isn't really the case especially when dealing with severe illness and pain. But my ability to provide care with the right level of sympathy and kindness is not one of my strengths. God knows how to prune and grow our areas of weakness and having a husband who deals with chronic pain has definitely been a learning ground for me.
 
On the contrary, no matter how severe her pain was, my friend would treat each person who came into her room the way I think Jesus must have treated people. She would know so much of their history in minutes and before they exited the room they would receive words like, "Thank you so much, or "I'm so proud of you, you're doing such a great job!" And for the most part, every person who came into the room would in some way have been asked if they knew God, and that they could read the Bible, the Word of God, in order to know Him. She is such an encouraging person!. I know we are all created differently and the Lord uses each of us in the family of God for His purpose. And because of that, I love watching people like my friend, and I learn so much from them!
 
But I digress…Looking back on this past week I see how God's grace was sufficient in my weakness. The fruit of the Spirit flowed! I KNOW it wasn't me, because I know myself (at least in this regard)! And even though I was the most unlikely person who should have been there, I knew my friend. I knew her likes and dislikes. I knew what would help her feel comfortable in her surroundings. And God provided the right Spirit within me.
 
Spirit Of The Living God Daniel Iverson
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Melt me mold me
Fill me use me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
^{© 1935. Renewed 1963 Birdwing Music
CCLI Song #23488 CCLI License #144020}

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.