“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19 NAS95)
My son visited last weekend. I had just flown in from Bozeman, Montana after attending a retirement party for a dear friend of our family. The 24-hour trip made me exhausted. Just before I boarded my last flight to Dallas, I found out Michael would arrive about the same time that I would land.
From that moment, I heard the Spirit encouraging me to extend some words of encouragement to Michael concerning how we felt about his girlfriend and their relationship. The Lord indicated some specific words to share. In my heart, I knew I needed to and I hoped it would impact our son positively.
He arrived, and we chit-chatted. We enjoyed having my brother’s family over with their puppy too. We had a very memorable late afternoon. Throughout it, I sensed the presence of God holding the reminder before me to have the conversation with Michael.
After my brother left, we decided to run an errand because Michael needed a few things. In the middle of that errand, at a stop-light, “just share it now, and it’ll open the conversation to continue tomorrow” or something like that prompted me to speak. So, I did.
Little did I know the impact. He lit up, and we chatted through many topics touching his relationship with his girlfriend. As a parent of a young adult in his 20s, I felt very privileged. I needed this and he needed this, and his mother needed it as the conversation continued the next day.
Recognizing God with me, His presence, and following His lead, brought refreshment to our relationship with our son. We all received a gift in that conversation.
God had plans for us when Michael arrived. The Spirit prompted me more than once because He knew that the conversation would deepen relationships in our family. I just sensed I needed to open a conversation with our son. I didn’t know opening that conversation would make the weekend very memorable.
Amid events like these, I am learning to take the Scriptures very literally as they touch my life. Times of refreshing did come from the presence of the Lord this past weekend.
I’m learning that wherever I am, there God is too, and He’s available. What’s more, He initiates conversation. I just need to pay attention. I find that very refreshing. I hope you do too.
For Reflection:
“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”” (Exodus 33:14 NAS95)
- How has God brought refreshment into your life lately? Listen to God and see what He brings to mind?
- What practices help you catch or recognize those moments of refreshment from His presence?
