I don't know why God leads me to pray specifically for someone I do not know. I just know when I'm being led to do so. I've prayed for all kinds of folks on blogs when I read a particular comment. I actually go so far as to type it in as I feel led. And sometimes we wind up talking and finding out a bit about one another, then develop a friendship via cyber-space.
Such is the case of one blogger who was virtually a stranger to me until about a month or so ago. I've prayed multiple times for this person and am amazed at how God has answered. This blogger has also prayed for me. As have many many others.
One of the bloggers who prays for me has been doing so for a very long time. It's her ministry. When she read of my difficulties regarding my computer, she wrote how much she wished she could help me, but instead she was praying. Almost every day she contacted me and told me she was praying. Another blogging friend of mine said she was praying. She knew my computer was shutting down several times a day in the middle of every operation I tried to do. I was losing entire posts as I wrote them, emails, and research information.
Well, friends one of those bloggers out there who knows me from nothing other than a few writings, who doesn't want to lose my contribution to the blogosphere felt led of God to give me a new computer. Yep. An email came into my box one day and I was told that I was getting a brand new computer and flat-screen monitor. I was absolutely floored. Beyond words. I didn't want to say anything to anyone until I was sitting in front of the monitor staring at the new screen. But God has led me to write this post anyway.
Can God bless me any more? Yes, He can.
I was talking with another blogger and in the middle of the conversation was asked if I'd done anything about getting a new computer yet. I hesitated to share the great news because I wanted to post it first, but I told this blogger that another blogger was sending me one. My second blogger friend told me to tell them I already had one, because it had been purchased already and they had it with them and so I had to let the other person keep their computer. So much went through my mind. I was elated that this blogger was giving me a new computer but felt sad that I'd have to tell the other blogger that I wouldn't be accepting their generous gift.
It reminded me of a time long ago when I was in our first pastorate. Harvest time would come and we'd be inundated with baskets of tomatoes, green beans and cukes. People would show up at the door at various times and share their bounty with us. I never turned anything away because they were always overjoyed to give. We just ate the food like manna.
When I emailed my first benefactor, they told me they were sending the computer anyway because they knew we needed a second one for my husband and his Bible software and materials. "It is our joy to give it to you," they wrote. Amazing. God be praised! I am so humbled and honored by the precious love extended through these bloggers. Does anyone lack faith in the brother-sisterhood of the Southern Baptist today? Send them over here to me.
We have 3 outdated, obsolete, nearly useless computers. And I had no idea how much longer I could go on writing because my computer was in such bad shape. And because people were praying for me, two virtual strangers other than about a month's worth of blogging dialog, believed so strongly that God wanted my writing ministry to continue that they both gave me a computer.
Now, let me tell you one of the major pluses of this whole blessing from God. My husband has really been discouraged lately because he knew how much I loved being able to converse with Christian bloggers and share my faith. He knew we had absolutely no way to get a new computer and knew we'd probably need to cut off our phone service and internet service, and his newspaper delivery. Fixed incomes impose greater frugality than personal commitment. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. So when not one, but two virtual strangers gave me computers and one was for him, it lifted his spirit in such a way that you would have thought he had a new heart. Wouldn't you think this was the greatest news in all the earth for me given all the stuff you've read about me recently?
Prayer. The prayer of God's people for God's people. Direct intervention from God. The leading of the Holy Spirit. Yielding to the Holy Spirit. Can it get any better than this? Yes it can.
There's more. God has much more going on. Much much more. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. I am His child. He loves me and He has a purpose for me. And He is validating my writing ministry and I am awed by His call upon me. Each word I write must be a testimony to Him. Each sentence I construct must bring Him honor and glory. What an awesome responsibility! What a blessing to be given! Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you more. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
