I have heard of this man before, and have seen some books about him, but hadn't read any yet. Last night when hubby turned the TV off, I quit crocheting and started to read my kindle. I chose a book I had downloaded about Smith Wigglesworth. Yes, that is his name. And Smith was his first name. He was a real person. He was a man of God who had such faith and spoke healings over others. Which is what I am thinking about now. I am only in the 8th chapter, I think, but it's been interesting. I read of him going up to strangers and telling them what is wrong with them and prophesying over them. When healing, he had a dramatic way of praying over someone. One person had stomach issues and went to him for prayer - he punched them in the stomach and told them they were healed! And they were!! Another time a man had cancer sores all over his neck and he wrapped his neck in gauze because the air on them sores were painful. He went to Smith Wigglesworth for healing - and his neck was slapped - and he didn't even feel it! He was told to go home and the next morning to take the gauze off his neck. He did so - and every sore and tumor was gone. That is MY God doing that! Smith Wigglesworth was a man who sought after God's heart and would not waver in his faith. I'm 'enjoying' the book and the ways he healed people - in the name of Jesus - and he never took the glory for it, but gave it all to God.
I love this story that was shared.... "Wigglesworth believed that God has no favorites. He believed all Christians have the potential to grow into strong faith. This matter of favorites was illustrated quite sweetly for us by a Swiss friend of my wife's named Martha.
In broken English, Martha said one day,, "I was cross with Jesus because He had favorites, and I told Him so. He asked me why I said that, and I told Him, 'Because you let John lean on your bosom.' Do you know what Jesus said? He said, 'Martha, all the disciples could have leaned on my bosom. Only John wanted to.'"
What a realization of that is! As a mother and grandmother I have always said - and will always say - I do not have favorites among my children and grandchildren. They are ALL my favorites. Some may get more of my time and attention - but it is because they give me more of their time and attention. There should be no jealousy among any; as they give, they receive, and I will love each one until I die. Some think others get special treatment; they don't. With some the bond is stronger than with the others, because a hug is sometimes more than a hug, a phone call is more than just a call, a note is more than just a note. Which makes me think with that comment.... I have a special note that I have up on my bulletin board from one granddaughter about something I had given her. I read it ever so often, and it makes me smile. I have thank you notes from different ones that I have hung on to for the very same reason. They make me feel loved. And they are loved.
I want to be that one who leans upon Jesus' bosom. I often say I climb up into my Heavenly Father's lap to be comforted... but I love the way John leaned upon Jesus as well. I hadn't thought of it the way it was shared in the book. Only John wanted to. And now I want to as well.
Do you feel a longing in your heart to lean upon Jesus as well? Do you feel a longing for a grandchild - or child - to come and just lean up against you? It is such a comforting and loving thing. You feel the love when they truly lean in to you, when they give you more than the obligatory kiss and hug - if you get that! I know, boys are less likely to do it, but they should. Maybe we need to open our arms first, so that they know they are welcome to enter into your arms. Don't wait until it is too late; time is short. And for those who we have lost and long to lean into them once again? Take a moment and close your eyes... picture them... and remember their arms wrapped around you in love and you leaned into them. Be comforted; feel the love.
Memories are flooding my mind right now. Sometimes I share them in hopes of making a point.
A couple months before my mother passed away, I was back to visit and for the first time I stayed with her (at my brother's house where she lived). That week is full of treasured memories. I know that I have shared it before. But I will share it again. My mother shared things with me that I didn't know. Some I wouldn't have even thought about. Some surprised me and made me laugh and go 'MOTHER!' But the one thing she told me that touched my heart more than anything else.... now remember, I was so young when my father passed away that I don't have many memories of him, other than he was so sick and in the hospital bed in our front room. But mother told me...
"Your dad and I were so much in love. We could look at each other across the room and know what the other was thinking. We were connected in such a way that we knew each other's thoughts."
"so much in love." My mother and father loved each other. Many times children don't know that - even by word or action. I had never thought of it before mother said it. But she made me cry when she said it. I looked at her with tears in my eyes and told her that was the best gift she could have ever given me, to know that she loved my father, and that he loved her.
To my children... I loved your father. He was my soulmate and will always be. I love him still. There are always two sides to every story... and neither of us were right. I will always regret what happened between us. Time can not change the pain I felt. Nor the pain I am sure he felt. We both were young and naive....... that is the only explanation I can give. I'm sorry it ended the way it did. Please forgive us both. But know that we did really love each other (there are lots of good memories too).
Ah... I have gotten off track with my memories this morning and time is getting away from me. Am I becoming melancholy in my mind? Perhaps. I know I was loved; I know I am loved. You know what helps in letting others know you love them? Just a quick note, a text, a phone call... that says "I'm thinking of you." Tell your spouse, tell your child. Tell your siblings. Tell your parents. I tell my mom and dad frequently that I love and miss them... and it brings me comfort, for I know that I am still loved by them, although they are gone. They may not be here in person, but they live through me.
We are products of our parents and how we live our lives is a reflection of who they are/were. Are we living to bring them honor?
Blessings!
