Salvation Summaries

I want to tell you a short story about God at work in the life of a believer.

It happened yesterday. I was at the grocery store picking up a few items, and “ran into” a lady I hadn’t seen in maybe a year. She’s a believer that my wife and I know.

Whenever I see her – and for some odd reason I’ve run into her three or four times even though I don’t go there often – I have mixed emotions. It’s always a joy to meet another believer that you’ve haven’t seen in a while, but her situation is like a modern-day Job, and it’s depressing to hear.

One of her daughters was diagnosed with Autoimmune encephalitis 15 years ago. It’s a severe, treatable brain inflammation that can cause rapid-onset memory loss, seizures, psychosis and movement disorders. Her daughter has seen many different doctors and experienced years of pain with little to no relief.

Another daughter has a disorder that can cause periodic seizures.

And several years ago, her husband was diagnosed with either Autoimmune encephalitis, early onset Alzheimer’s disease, or both (the doctors can’t figure out if it’s one or the other or both). He’s unable to work, so just does small things around the house. She’s unable to work because she spends so much time taking care of her family.

When I spoke with her at the store, she said that this was the first day in some time where she hasn’t been at a doctor’s appointment, so it was a relief to have a break from that. After getting an update from her, I told her that because I have seen her three or four times now in this grocery store, there must be a reason for that, so I wanted to pay for her groceries. She was surprised to hear this, but overjoyed.

When we left the store, we talked for a few more minutes. She was kind enough to ask about my health, and how my wife was doing and each of our kids. And then she said something that initially surprised me, but then made sense.

She said that before coming into the store, she was sitting in her car and praying to God for encouragement. She said she had been very stressed that morning, and needed help from him. My buying her groceries was a clear and timely answer to her prayer. It encouraged her, and me.

God can work in the life of a believer in small or big ways. We just need to earnestly pray to Him about it, and then expect an answer. He doesn’t always do what we ask of course, for His ways are not ours, but when He does, we should thank and praise Him for it.

You might keep two families in mind when you pray. I’ll tell you their last names only. The Hoopers, and the Hillmans.

• Pray that God gives them wisdom and understanding in turbulent times.
• Pray that God reveals Himself to them more and more.
• Pray that they commit all of their circumstances to Him.
• Pray that they grow closer to Him and continue to trust Him despite their circumstances.
• Pray that God lines up other believers who can help them with their needs, encourage them, and bring them joy.

Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.