Sometimes in our lives, we see what God has done for us by looking at the past - how He took care of situations, battles, victories! I have never experienced God’s love for me quite like I did recently, and I want to share it with you. To God be the glory for all He has done, is doing, and will do!
It began in January 2019 when God told me “2019 is the year for Mildred” (my Mom). I quickly dismissed that because it was something I didn’t want to hear. However, as many of you know, Mom died on March 20, 2019.
In April 2019, Mike was appointed to Centenary United Methodist Church in Chase City, VA as their part-time pastor. We were thrilled with his first appointment and began this ministry on June 30, 2019. Chase City is familiar territory to me because I went to high school with friends from there, and I knew quite a few people/relatives from my earlier days - so many connections and wonderful memories; so many people who knew Mom and told stories to me about interactions with her. After her death, I seemed to crave anything I could learn about her early days. These sweet friends were helping to take care of me in ways that I didn’t understand until recently.
Shortly after Easter, this particular song came into my Spirit: “Oh How He Loves You and Me”. Do you know it?
Oh, how He loves you and me, Oh how He loves you and me. He gave his life, what more could he give?
Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.
Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for sinners to show. What He did there brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.
(1975 Word Music, LLC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz7QNO1eE7s
It has been in my spirit for several weeks now. Here was God letting me know about His deep love through this song, which I haven’t heard in many years. The magnitude of these words is so close to the emotional impact made on me with what God did through the Centenary experience. He knew I would need support and comfort, and He provided it just as He provided Mike with a wonderful first pastoral appointment.
Now moving forward to April 16, 2021, Mike was notified that he would be leaving Centenary for another church appointment. He assured the District Superintendent (DS) that he would keep this information confidential until all appointment announcements were made on May 16, which is the reason I can now share this story with you.
On Sunday, April 18, 2021, I was dressing for church. As I entered the bathroom to brush my hair, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Then there were full-blown tears running down the sides of my face. More than surprised, I wondered what this was all about? What God told me was that my (our) “season” at Centenary United Methodist Church was ending. It seemed that God was confirming what we had just been told by the DS. But there was more to it than that.
God not only told me that our season at Centenary UMC was ending, but He told me that He had placed me at Centenary in 2019 so that I could be taken care of by these familiar people after mom died. These friends were connected with my mom and family in so many ways. He used them to comfort me, teach me, share stories and information with me, and remember my mom and her family. I was so overcome with the realization of what God had done for me that all I could do was cry and thank Him.
It was a mixture of tears because of the separation from Centenary, which will come at the end of June, but more so because of this clear evidence of God’s unfailing and everlasting love. I knew that He loved me, but He used this situation to so vividly demonstrate it to me, and I didn’t even realize how He was using this time/this appointment until now - as this season is coming to an end.
Since June 30, 2019, Centenary UMC has surrounded Mike and me with comforting arms and support. My tears are for the sadness of the separation to come - missing the people whom we have worshipped with for 2 years; missing the Puppet Ministry with the Preschool children and teachers; and missing the visitations to those whom we cherish.
But more than anything else, my tears were overwhelmingly for gratitude and love for my God who did this for me. He took care of me when I didn’t even know what I needed. He is without a doubt a wise, caring, loving Father who takes care of you and me. I wish I had the words to more accurately express my feelings about what God did for me! This scripture comes very close!
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:16-19, NLT) (author emphasis)
God showed me this power to understand His love in a way which I had never experienced before. God, I thank you for knowing/providing for what I needed even when I didn’t know. I thank you for loving me!
This season is ending for Mike and me, but a new season is beginning! Mike has been appointed to serve at Mount Cana United Methodist Church on Hwy 58 east of South Boston, VA, as their full-time pastor. We are looking forward to joining with this congregation in ministry as of July 4, 2021.
Let us never forget "how he loves you and me"!!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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