Listen, For God’s Love Surrounds You
A conversation with Rafael led me to a story about pink carnations and God’s love for us.
A few weeks ago we had some work done on our home. After a couple of days of informal conversations and sharing, Rafael asked if he could share a story with me.
I replied with a quick, “Yes, please do.”
As he put his tools down on the table, he put his head down and took a deep breath and began to quietly tell me his story. “A few years ago,” he said, “I was out of work. I was by myself at the bus stop, with just enough money to pay for a ride to a new job. While I was waiting for the bus, tears started to drop to the ground as I began to cry out to God for help. I said, ‘God, I need help. I need work. Please God hear my prayers.’ I continued to pray with a pleading heart for God’s help. I began to kick my feet around in the dirt, trying to get rid of my sadness. There was an empty cigarette box on the ground that I accidently kicked. I bent down to pick up the box only to find $900 tucked inside. I lifted my head up and lifted my hands up high with tears of joy, thanking God for hearing my prayers. You see, if you open your heart to God, he hears you. I tell everyone my story, to encourage them to open their hearts to God.”
I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him,
and he answered my prayer.
Psalm 120:1 (NLT)
We both looked at each other with tears of joy and laughter thanking our God, our Heavenly Father, for his love and blessings. Rafael said, “If it wasn’t for the time I felt so alone with nowhere else to go, if I had not opened my heart to God, I would not be here today. You see, the bus I was waiting for to take me to my new job was for the work I am doing today. I have had this job for over a year and I am so thankful to God for hearing my prayers. I tell everyone, ‘It’s very simple, all you have to do is open your heart to God.’”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)
God loves us so much and all He asks is for us to put our trust in Him for all things and He will guide us through His word with abundant love and blessings. Rafael looked at me and said, “You know, He is with us right now. Can’t you feel His love?” His words touched my heart.
“Yes,” I said. “Yes, I can.” And, with another burst of joyous laughter, we lifted our hands high to the heavens above, as though to touch the hands of God and thanked Him for His joyous love.
Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (TPT)
Later that day, I went out to the garden to pick some flowers for a small arrangement. Though the roses have beautifully bloomed, I decided to pick some fresh lavender, geraniums and miniature carnations for this arrangement. As I began to arrange the flowers, I was taken in by the fragrance of the pink carnations. It was like a sweet scent of love washing through my senses. I studied the beautiful intricate design of the pink petals laced with white, in awe of our God and His ability to create such beauty for our senses.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Psalms 136:2 (NIV)
