Kisses from Heaven

It had been a wonderful weekend of ministry and I was on my way home. As I drove north on " Alligator Alley “from Fort Lauderdale back to St. Petersburg, my mind raced with all the wonderful things that had occurred that weekend. I was excited over the personal encounters and new opportunities for ministry.

Alone in the car, I began to sing and pray at the same time. My heart was full and there were no cars close by so I sang praises to the Lord as if He was sitting in the passenger seat next to me. My heart was overflowing with love and gratitude. Then in a split second I was reminded how often I let the Lord down. I cried out and asked Him how He could continue to forgive me and love me when time and time again I let Him down. In quietness, on that long road I could almost hear his voice assuring me his love for me is deeper than any ocean, higher than any mountain, wider than the East is from the West and longer than forever.

But with such hunger for more assurance as if his death on the cross was not enough, I cried out once again, "Lord I know you love me. I know you don't have to show me a sign. I know I shouldn't even ask you for a sign, and Lord you don't have to show me a sign but it would be so awesome if you could once in a while send me a special message that would be like a Kiss from Heaven. Something that would remind me when life gets hard or I get too distracted that you are still there and you want me to know that you love me so much that you are sending me a Kiss from Heaven." In my boldness, I even suggested, " You know, like if you show me a daffodil, I would be reminded that you are sending me a Kiss from Heaven". The minute I suggested the daffodil I tried to take it back, I thought no wait that is a seasonal flower. I need something else that is not seasonal, something that comes more often.  But in my battle with myself I thought no, this is perfect because when I see a daffodil whether it is a fresh flower, on a t-shirt, in a painting or in any other form I know it is a Kiss from Heaven."

In all my immaturity the Lord gave me peace over my choice of a daffodil.  Just as I arrived the rain began to come down. My time with the Lord had been such a blessing and I was not about to let the rain stop me. I had promised the Lord I would come home in time to go to the prayer vigil for Terri Schiavo.  I parked my car and grabbed my umbrella and I made my way to stand united in prayer for this young woman who was caught in a tug of war between life and death.

As I left the prayer vigil, I knew I would not have time to go home before going to the church for the Growth in Faith annual retreat.  As a volunteer leader for the retreat, I could not be late so I pulled one of my nice outfits out of my suitcase in the trunk of my car. My hair was obeying the call of the rain and I tried my best to put myself together in the Burger King bathroom before heading to the church. My hair and dress were not as put together as I would have liked but it was ok because my heart was full from the blessings of the day.  I entered the sanctuary and could not believe my eyes. The entire front of the church stage was filled with daffodils!  My heart could not contain it and my cheeks were suddenly overtaken with liquid joy flowing down.  My amazing Lord was sending me Kisses from Heaven.

For almost ten years I have been blessed with a surprise daffodil at just the right moment.

Today, as I sat in church, I witnessed a Kiss from Heaven but it was not a daffodil. It was not my Kiss from Heaven. It was an assurance from the Lord to me that he is sending Kisses from Heaven to my friend and prayer partner Jackie.  Just like Terri Schiavo, Jackie is under the care of Hospice. She too has been in a tug of war for her life.  She has proudly worn the color Teal in hopes of educating others of the importance of getting routine medical exams to detect ovarian cancer early.  Jackie’s faith has never waivered; in her last days she is at peace that she will soon join the Heavenly choir.  As she sleeps and waits for the Lord to take her home, her Kisses from Heaven came today hundreds of miles away from where she is. Make no mistake they were her Kisses from Heaven but the Lord sent them to me to remind me that His love for her is deeper than any ocean, higher than any mountain, wider than the East is from the West and longer than forever.

As I sat in church, I once again had liquid joy flowing down my cheeks as I heard the choir dressed in Teal sing, “ My faith has found a resting place”.  Did they plan this for Jackie?  No, they had no idea. This was all the Lord.

Ruby Slippers and Something Pink in the Dryer

Ruby Slippers and Something Pink in the Dryer


My schedule had been crazy and out of control. For some time now I had over committed my life and had taken on too much responsibility. It had been a long day and I was tired. Tomorrow was my birthday and I didn't want to wake up still feeling tired and looking old My body wanted to go home, change into my comfy clothes and just slow down. But on this night, my heart won and my tired body followed.

A couple of weeks earlier I had accepted an invitation to a friend's home for a "Pamper Melanie" party.

I had met Melanie a few years earlier and quickly learned to love her dearly. We had worked together in a Christian women's ministry, planning retreats. Melanie had impressed me from the first time I met her. I had often teased her and told her that she looked just like a Barbie doll. But her beauty was much deeper than that. She was fully sold out to living her life for the Lord and serving others. She especially poured her love into the lives of her husband and five little boys. So tired or not, I knew that not going to the "Pamper Melanie" party was not an option.

As I entered Carolyn's home she greeted me with warmth and hospitality. I could see that she had spent a lot of time preparing for this special night. Carolyn's spiritual gift of hospitality was something to be be envied. But the Holy Spirit quickly reminded me that envy was a sin. He reminded me that He freely gives us gifts according to His plan and purpose.

The home was full of precious women who had come to "Pamper Melanie". After dinner Carolyn shared how not only her love for Melanie also her love for Melanie's mom Barb had caused her to plan this special night. As I listened, I couldn't help but think that Barb must be smiling as she looked down from heaven.

As Carolyn continued to speak, she shared how she had asked Melanie if she could give her a baby shower. But when Melanie gave birth to her fifth son they both knew she didn't need a baby shower. She had more than enough for a little boy.

Then one day, Melanie said, "I would just love something pink in my dryer". That is when the "Pampered Melanie" party was inspired.

We each took turns affirming Melanie and presenting her with our pink gifts. Christ had clothed her in His righteousness and we were clothing her with pink gifts of love. We were all moved as we watched Ruby present her gift. What ever it was we all knew it would be a treasure to Melanie. Ruby's physical body was challenged with Parkinson's disease yet she was the strongest and most faithful prayer warrior in the room. As Melanie opened the box and lifted out house slippers she cried as she said, "Ruby Slippers". We all smiled .Carolyn invited me to help massage Melanie's hands as Bethany massaged her shoulders . Suddenly I found myself knelling and massaging Melanie's feet as she cried in humility. She whispered, "I did take a shower and even shaved my legs today." We laughed and the tears continued to fall down not only Melanie's face but many of our faces.

Before getting back up, I looked at the beautiful feet of this precious young mother of five little boys. I was reminded that the Lord says, "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news of Jesus Christ". As I slipped the Ruby Slippers on Melanie's feet I knew they would be a constant remind that each of us was praying for her as brings her sons up in the knowledge of the Lord.

Crystal's Christmas Dove

For years I had promised myself that I would finish my Christmas shopping early but once again I had broken my promise. It seemed no matter how many times I told myself to avoid the Christmas rush and stress I always had a few last minute items to shop for.
As I pulled into the mall parking lot I could see that parking was going to be a challenge. I glanced to the left where I always parked. It was full so I turned right to continue my search for a place to park. My stress level increased as I drove and thought of Crystal.
It had only been six months since my youngest sister Crystal had died of cancer. I missed her terribly. It was the Christmas season and Crystal and I had had a tradition of meeting at the mall to shop together. I drove through the busy, over crowded parking lot fighting the tears with Crystal on my mind.
When I finally found a parking place it was at the far end of the mall. I didn’t mind the walk because it knew it would help me to regain my composure and walk off some frustration and emotion.
The minute I walked in I saw the most beautiful Christmas tree and it was full of beautiful white doves. I was drawn to this tree only to discover that it was the Hospice Christmas Tree. With a small donation you could purchase a dove with a card to place on the tree in memory of a loved one that had died. I was so thrilled to have this opportunity. Hospice had been wonderful to Crystal so this would not only give me an opportunity to give back to them but to do something for Crystal for Christmas. I carefully filled out the card, “ To my Beautiful Sister Crystal, I Love you and Miss You, Ginger” I was determined not to cry and mess up my makeup but the tears began to fill my eyes. I quickly dapped them so they wouldn’t run down my face. After carefully placing the dove on the tree I started through the mall feeling so much better.
All day people kept commenting on my Christmas spirit. I thought to myself, I must have really been glowing with God’s peace and the love I feel for God and the blessing of finding the Hospice Tree. This made me smile even more.
A few hours later, as I was washing my hands in the ladies room I looked in the mirror and began to laugh. I had really been glowing! I had not realized that I had glitter all over my face. The Hospice dove had had glitter on it and I had dapped the glitter all over my face when I tried to keep the tears from falling. I did something that I had not done for a while, I laughed out loud.
That day was a gift from the Lord to me when I needed a special touch from Him. This gift has grown into my own personal Christmas tradition. This year will be the eighteenth year of putting a dove on the Hospice Christmas Tree.

Please feel free to share this story with anyone who is hurting this Christmas because they miss their love one. I pray that it is a comfort to someone.This story is one of many published in the new book "Celebrating Christmas with Memories, Poetry,and Good Foof"

May I be the first to say, "Merry Christmas"?
Love,
Ginger

"There but by the Grace of God Go I"

“There but by the grace of God go I”, how often that phrase is spoken yet I wonder how many times it’s said without really considering God’s grace in our lives.

Just like many popular phrases spoken in our culture, “There but by the grace of God go I” seems to slip out of our mouths so easily when we see a person whose life is in pain or sin.  It’s as if we’re saying, “Whew! I’m glad that’s not me!” We face the temptation to judge another not realizing that truly, “There but by the grace of God go I.”

As I look at my own life in comparison to those born and living in more challenging circumstances can I assume I am blessed because the Lord loves me more? Am I more deserving of a life free from pain because of any righteousness of my own? Was I able to conjure up righteousness making me more deserving of God’s grace?

Before giving their hearts and lives to the Lord, many people question why a good and loving God would allow the pain and suffering we see in our world. My husband like many struggled with how the Lord could let a child be born in a remote village in parts of the world where there is no mention of Jesus’ name. He questioned how it was fair in light of Jesus saying, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

My friend questioned why a good and loving God would take her child at a young age? Another friend questioned where was God when he lost his job and everything he owned as his family was left to suffer. Another friend cried to God when their dreams were shattered as their child was sentenced to prison. The heart breaks which come into lives because of sexual abuse, divorce, miscarriage, infertility, wayward children, broken relationships, physical pain and the death of a love one can often cause us to ask, “Where is God?’ This is a question that has been asked for thousands of years through the generations. Another question often asked is, “how could a good and loving God allow such pain and suffering?’

We cannot always understand why there is pain in suffering in our world but we know that we will face it through out our lives.  None of us are exempt from pain and suffering. Although God is a God of grace, He tells us, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33). We see this not only in the lives of those who are suffering personally but also in our world. "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:7).

At the end of John 16:33 the Lord completes the verse,  “ but I have overcome the world.” God is in control even when it seems that He is not. We may not always understand but we can know that the Lord is a good and just God who will do what is right even when we don’t understand.

He promises us that He will be with us when we go through the difficulties in our lives. “I am with you wherever you will go. I will never leave you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6). “ I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

In closing, when we see pain and suffering, do we just speak, “There but by the grace of God go I” as we go about our lives? Do we see ourselves as deserving of God’s grace because we think He loves us more than the person suffering or lost in sin? The Lord tells us, “There are none who do good, no not one.” (Romans 3:12)

Woven throughout the Word of God is a message of God’s love and God’s grace. He tells us, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:1).

Those of us who have recognized the Lord’s loving kindness and grace in our lives are given the privilege and responsibility of loving those who are still without hope. Will we judge or will we love as Christ loves us? Out of the overflow of the Lord’s mercy, love, and grace we are called to reach out to others. We are the answer to many prayers. God wants us to join Him in reaching a world that is without hope.

Ginger O'Neill