Why Do You Smile?

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

Austin to Los Angeles – September 18, 2002

As I walked down the aisle on the plane I saw this man named Jay studying the Bible. He had King James and the Greek version. I asked what he was studying for. It looked like a pretty serious study of the Word. He responded “for himself now”. “Now?”, I asked. He went on to share how he had been in seminary and had to drop out. He is sick and had to quit the program. He went on – he is sad that he cannot have a church and preach to others, but that this is God’s plan. He has a brain tumor and it is terminal.

Lord, thank you for showing me this man’s thankfulness. That no matter what You give – it is right. How he accepts Your will. How he still wants to know You more and spend time with You in Your beautiful Word even though he is dying. I pray Father that You touch him with Your mighty love and Your heavenly wisdom while here on earth. You have taught me through this man that this is not our home, heaven is. How this man did not hold this world tightly but seemed to hold You tightly. Thank You for teaching me this deeper truth through a dying servant, face to face. I do ask Lord, that You would make his sickness as painless as possible. Lord, heal him if that is Your will, so that he can continue to teach and share You. In Jesus Name Amen

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice and be gracious to me and answer me. When Thou didst say, “seek My face,” my heart said to Thee, “Thy face, O Lord, I shall seek” Psalm 27:7,8