When the Time Comes
This year has flown by! We're into Dec., and Christmas is just around the corner. I love Christmas. It's always been my favorite time of the year, and I have so many special Christmas memories. I especially love a beautiful Christmas tree.
During the years that Floyd was sick, I only did my tree once - the Christmas that my grandkids came to visit. I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to do my tree this year. It's a lot of work, and it's very tender. But, I finally decided to do it.
One of my friends said she thought that was an indication that my heart is healing. I think she's right. I took my time, and found that with many of the ornaments, it brought back sweet, special memories. It wasn't hard. It wasn't painful. It was lovely. I actually put my tree up a couple weeks ago so I could enjoy it longer. Sitting beside it with all the twinkly lights has been so special. And my heart IS healing! There were so many painful things from the years that Floyd was sick, but the Spirit is slowly, gently cleansing them from my heart and mind.
There was a dear friend who was so helpful during the years Floyd was sick. He and his wife visited Floyd 2-3 times a week for all those years - spending quality time with him and praying for him. He also helped me with lots of problems I faced during those hard times. After Floyd passed away I gave him a devotional book by Max Lucado that Floyd used all the time. It was a favorite of his.
In the WHOLE book, there is only one page that had some things underlined. It's called "when the time comes." It says things you think you can't face - then says you can "when the time comes." It says "the key is this: Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today."
Oh how I wish I knew what that meant to him. I often prayed for him that God would give him sufficient strength and grace for all he was going through. I know God's goodness and faithfulness, so I believe "when the time came" God met him and helped him. And finding that one page underlined in the book spoke to our friend and to me that God would help us "when the time comes" for everything we face!
"God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 The Message
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
God has met me time and time again - when the time came! I am so grateful. And I'm enjoying my beautiful Christmas tree with memories of our 54 years together.
About the author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of sixteen books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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