The other day I went to my support group meeting. It's for those women who are currently undergoing stressful situations in their lives. Some have family members with Parkinsons Disease or some kind of dementia, or other health issues, and for whom these women are the carers at some level. Others are grappling with different personal problems - most have a history of some kind of trauma and heartache. We usually have a visiting speaker, someone who gives her story of how she has gone through difficult times and how the LORD has helped her. Afterwards, time is given to prayer.
Last week, a lady named Mae told us of how she and her daughter cared for her husband, as he was dying at home. We sensed the heartache she had endured during those painful days, the support her daughter was to her, the times they could even find something to laugh at through their tears.
After she spoke, Mae wanted to pray for us. She prayed over each one individually, and some of the other women also joined in the prayer. When it came to my turn, I sat on the "hot seat", i.e. the coffee table, and Mae took my hands and began to pray. I was blown away by what happened. Talk about kisses from the LORD! I got a whole bunch!
In her prayer for me, Mae said, (and I'm paraphrasing - can't remember exact words): The mountains surround Jerusalem and so the LORD's love surrounds you. Point: Mae doesn't know of my love for and connection to Jerusalem.
She said: I see you as a bride under the chuppah - so beloved - the LORD delights in you.
(Again, the link with Israel).
Next, from what I remember, she said: "The LORD is your husband." She knows nothing of my life, nor could she know that this is the second time I've had this message from Him.
She said many other things I can't remember now. But at the end of her prayer, one of the other women spoke up and said that when Mae mentioned the bride under the chuppah, this lady had a picture of Jesus lifting up the veil and kissing me on my mouth. She didn't know that just the day before, I had been thinking about the subject of kissing on the mouth and how much I disliked it, because of the men friends of my father who had insisted on inappropriately kissing a little girl, leaving me feeling dirty and fearful. So now the LORD was bringing healing to me by His own gentle, loving kiss.
She also said that as He kissed me, Jesus breathed into me and I was now living by His life! Again, she had no knowledge of my experience in the hospital ICU, when He told me that "the breath of the Almighty gives me life".
It was amazing to have the LORD's confirmation, through people who had no knowledge of my situation, of things He had already told me. It was such a reassurance of His care of and interest in me.
Then, yesterday, there was a women's meeting, taking the place of our usual Bible study. After the talk, people were called up for prayer and others were called up to pray for them. I just sat in my seat, praying quietly, trying not to feel rejected because I hadn't been asked to pray for anyone. Suddenly I knew He was there! He reached out His arms and after a moment or two I realised He was wearing His tallith - His prayer shawl. He enfolded me in the tallith and held me to His chest. I could feel my face glowing with His presence - though I doubt anyone noticed it. It was a sublime few moments of being held within His wings, experiencing His love, until it faded and my face cooled down.
I don't know why He has been giving me these foretastes of Heaven, but I'm just so happy to have them. And to know I'm loved - really loved!
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