The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Hands, the Voice, the Heart"
Mr. Lamar suffered a stroke many years ago, rendering his right arm withered and weak, and also greatly hindering his ability to speak. He lives in a retirement community where we conduct services, and has been a blessing to us and especially to those who live in the community. He helps people in any way he can, with a smile on his face and clearly with an attitude of service to God and others.
After a service this past week, he held out his right hand to give what I thought would be the fist bump we usually share with one another. Somehow, I did not immediately realize something most special in the moment. Mr. Lamar held out not a fist, but an outstretched hand. Our dear brother and friend stretched forth his fingers, and took my hand with a strong and sure grip. He then spoke... "God is so good!"
He is, isn't He? We have heard multitudes of God's people utter these words through the years. To hear them from Mr. Lamar took them to another blessed place of glory and wonder. Accompanied by a handshake impossible until now, well, you can imagine the moment, which we trust will be followed by many others as Mr. Lamar continues to serve God and people.
Of course, I could not help but think of the following:
"He saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole as the other" (Mark 3:5).
"I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue" (Psalm 66:17).
Sometimes God delivers by power of His hand. Sometimes He delivers by the presence of His heart. We have seen both redemptions in Mr. Lamar, who has for years devoted himself to the Lord and to people despite his challenges. I am sure we will continue to see him do the same, albeit with greater liberty and capacity to serve. Or maybe not. Indeed, as much as we rejoice in Mr. Lamar's Christ-enlivened hand and voice, I am not sure we will see greater service than we have seen for so long. By God's grace and enabling, he has given what he had, and which has been multiplied by the Lord in blessed ways of service. That is all any of us can do, and all that God requires (II Corinthians 8:12).. He adds His blessing to our offerings, as He will doubtless continue to do through the hands, the voice, and most of all, the heart of our dear brother, Mr. Lamar.
"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
(Psalm 34:6)
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
(II Corinthians 12:7-9)
Weekly Memory Verse
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation."
(II Corinthians 1:3-4).
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