Unfailing Love

In Pentecostal Spirituality, Steven J. Land notes, “The kingdom of God is already present, but not yet consummated.” While living in that tension, it sometimes seems as if we are alone and God is unaware of our pain and suffering. Conversely, when we experience an inbreaking of the kingdom which is yet to come, we are overwhelmed by His presence. For me, having lived through great suffering as well as great blessings, these two extremes are not hypothetical. Hold that thought! After I discuss the incongruity of life, I will share insights into God’s unfailing love.

Incongruity of Life

Visiting with Linda – One week ago, she held her baby doll during most of the time that I was with her but agreed for me to put her shoe back on. While holding the cute little thing, I became a ventriloquist, albeit a very poor one, and had the baby doll wave and say, “I love you, Mother.” She thoroughly enjoyed this interaction. Later, when a caregiver came to take her to the evening meal, she smiled and gladly went with her; however, when she realized that I was not going with her, she wanted to come back and get me. I rushed over and assured her that I would see her tomorrow. Satisfied, she reached up to give me a kiss. With fanfare, I received her kiss on my cheek and said, “Oh, Wow!” She smiled and, assisted by her caregiver, slowly shuffled away. I left with great joy in my heart.

Two days later, our visit was at the other end of the spectrum. There were very few smiles and when I spoke to her, she mostly ignored me. She looked sick, and the skin under her eyes was discolored and puffy; there were no signs of bruising, and by the next day the discoloration and puffiness had disappeared. That night, I recorded in my journal: “It upset me to see Linda as she was today. I have mentally released her; however, this gives me insight into the emotional distress that I will feel when she goes to be with the Lord. I am asking Him for the timing of her departure to be according to His will and for me to have the strength to be able to bear it in a way that will be pleasing to Him.”

Jeffery’s death — On July 27,1978, Jeffery, our younger son, four days before his seventh birthday, was struck by an automobile and killed in front of our house. Thirty years later, in 2008, while reflecting on how God works among His people, I was reminded of a truth that God spoke into my heart when Jeffery was very small, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice…” (Proverbs 23:24a NASB). At that time, I thought God was telling me that Jeffery, as an adult, would lead a spiritually productive life on earth. I now realize that He was preparing me to face a far different outcome.

Michael’s Rescue — On July 19, 2019, during the last day of a High Sierra Hike, Michael, our older son, became sick but managed to continue to the peak. On the way down, with seven miles left, he could go no further:

• A former emergency room doctor (a pastor’s son) came by at just the right time, said that he thought it was pulmonary edema, and they must get him off the mountain.

• The California Highway Patrol airlifted him, by helicopter, to a hospital in Lone Pine, California, where he was given a breathing treatment and efficacious medication.

• Upon receiving the news, I was overwhelmed at the timing and offered profuse praise to God. I was reminded that in 1989, I had received a clear mandate from God, “Trust Michael to me!” 

God’s Unfailing Love

The picture accompanying today’s blog illustrates the tension that I described in the opening paragraph; however, laying aside the theological implications, I am greatly comforted when I realize that nearly twenty-eight hundred years ago, God provided practical instruction so that I might grasp that God loves me and is always with me – when I sense His presence, and when I don’t:

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:8-11 NLT).