Being a willing vessel

I am just amazed at how God works through all of our lives. So often we think of ourselves as isolated and alone, that what we are going through is just happening to us. But we are interconnected with our family, our friends, neighbors, even strangers who cross our paths. Long ago I began the practice of praying that I would be "a willing vessel" in God's Hands, that I not only wanted Him to work through me, but I wanted to do so "willingly". Sometimes I feel that with His strength, I am willing - other times I know that I fight against what He brings into my life and yet He is patient with me, and brings me to the point that I let go and open my hands and pray "Your will be done". It is a growing process and I am thankful that we have a gentle and patient Lord.

With all the health things I have been going through, I have trusted that God is at work and has a reason for all of this. He has kept me calm and I have really learned the blessing He gives us by helping us rest in Him. It is so much easier to be calm and have peace when we get to the point that we know He has all things under control.

I have a friend who has asked me "Why would God put you through all of this, if He was going to remove the blockage" My answer to that has come through many of my family and friends' emails...sharing with me how they prayed for me. Here is one example from my uncle:

"Pat and I drove by Patti's house, this evening before dark, and Patti had just come home from work and was sitting on her front porch. As we drove up, she came down the steps holding her coffee cup and leaned down by the car window and we started to talk. Since we had not been in contact, as Patti had been working, she didn't know yet about the, "no blockage," when they did your catheterization. So, I told her. She let out a whoop, set her coffee cup on top of the car, clapped her hands together and said, "I knew it, I knew it." "I prayed that when they went in there that they wouldn't find any blockage. I am going to write that in my prayer journal." She knows that she was not the only one praying for your good report, but she was one of them. She was overjoyed, and we all were, too. Praise the Lord!"

God allowed this to happen in my life to strengthen our faith, to encourage us to pray for one another, to teach us that "all things are possible with Him". Everything is in His hands - I pray that each one of us remembers His lessons and that we take part in the blessing that He gives us when He tells us to trust in Him with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding! Praise Him for Him glorious gifts!