Borrowed Blessings, Country Life Messages

Still Trusting Him

A. Knight

My next post was going to be something “positive”…something to get my mind off the part of me I have lost here on this earth. I say, “part of me”, because that is what both of my sweet sisters are…..part of me. But I cannot post on anything else yet. Connie, I totally understand you dwelling on the “heavenward journey”. I can’t help it. I am inserting a copy of an e-mail I recieved from a very special friend not long after we arrived home from Gainesville. The majority of this was also used at Wanda’s homegoing celebration service (funeral). It fits my petite, sweet sister to the max.

Dear Angie,

You and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. Although Wanda and I were not intimate friends, I did feel as though I had come to know her over the years. I had the greatest respect and admiration for her consistent demonstration of abiding faith and trust in the face of what many of us would consider to be overwhelming adversity. Despite years of pain and trial, she managed to retain a special sweetness I shall never forget. After I received the news, I spent much of the evening pondering the indescribable profundity of Wanda’s absolute simplicity and straightforward sincerity. She did not strive to be a flashy dresser, a vivacious social butterfly, or a dazzlingly erudite conversationalist. She did not seek the spotlight; she did not pursue praise or adulation. In a world where the surface is so often valued over the core, where the cover is prized more than the content, Wanda always seemed to me to be a ray of almost translucent purity and faith. She leaves behind no record of artistic or intellectual genius; instead, she leaves for an adoring family and loving friends the memories they will never forget: memories of faith, hope, patience, sacrifice, determination, and a never-ending quest to know and fulfill God’s will on this earth. Perhaps, after all, that is an even greater and more valuable legacy for us all.

Love, –April P.

Let me say thanks once again, April. You were under His annoiting when you wrote this, almost as if the pen of the Father was at work through your very fingers. These words have and will continue to bless me.

I also need to say a special thank you to Denise….you have uplifted me daily. You are so sweet. Keep the faith, keep praying.

And Lori,….tonight—I just left the supper table at my sister’s. Sharing a meal with Mark and Victoria, Jeff, our daughter April, her husband and baby Cy…..when I left I broke into tears….for it was just a two weeks ago, I sat across the dear face of Wanda and we shared a Sunday lunch. We had quite a time cleaning the kitchen that day! But tonight, I missed her. I cried. So when I arrived in my door and Jeff said “check your mail”, he knew what I had….and he knew I needed it. I cried again Lori. Your sweet card was the tangible thing I needed to hold. To touch. So, sweet sister Lori, thank you. You have blessed me in many ways.

I cannot begin naming names—-for you have all blessed me with e-mails, comments and “bloggity hugs”!
Thank you for your shoulder….yet again.

Borrowed Blessings, Country Life Messages, Family

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

A. Knight

This morning, I have just finished reading and trying to answer around 100 e-mails over the past week concerning prayers and/or sympathy for the loss of my sister Wanda. Our loss is heavens gain.

I have never been so overwhelmed at the magnitude of visitors and flowers at a funeral service before. At the family visitation time, over 700 necks were hugged or hands shook during this time of sharing our grief with others who loved Wanda and our family. Over 125 flower baskets or sprays lined the hall, foyer, and platform of our home church, Carmel Assembly of God.

The service yesterday was awesome. The Holy Spirit fell upon the house as a blanket of warmth offering comfort and love to each grieving heart. The music was angelic as Carmel’s choir sang a medley of praise songs. A special song by a precious trio, Aaron, Clarissa and Jenna, wrapped us even tighter in His arms, as they sang, “Praise You in this Storm”, by Casting Crowns. It was fitting.

As we look back at Wanda’s sweet life, we realize and know, as we have known each day, she fought the good fight of faith…she has laid hold on her eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”.

As we stood by her bed just after she left her mortal body for a glorious immortal body, we began to praise the Lord. As the song says, “though I am torn, I will praise You in the storm”. This was sung at the services yesterday, and had special meaning for those of us that were privileged to be with her as she left this earthly life for her glorious eternal life!

“Praise You In This Storm”

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again,

I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

“I’m with you”

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

And I’ll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I’ve cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can’t find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

“I’m with you”

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth….

A testimony often shared by a beloved uncle, who we believe met her at the Gate, used to say, “In order to hear Him say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant”, you will have to do well.” I want to hear Him speak those words to me. I know those were heard by Wanda. For she did well. Her purpose was fulfilled. She is whole and happy with the Father. We take great comfort in that.

Thank you for all your prayers, comments, love and concern. If you were among the 700+ that visited with us at the church, thank you for that. Your visit, hug or hand shake meant so much. Those that blessed my mother’s home with food, —-incredible. The flowers you sent were beautiful. I heard someone say yesterday that one of the flower shoppes has run out of flowers before Valentines Day to make the many orders that were coming in for Wanda…I simply said, “Well, some lady might not get her valentine flowers, but Wanda deserved them all.” She did.

I have to say one last thing regarding this. I have never seen—-either on TV or in real life….any man so dedicated and loving to his wife—his life mate. My brother-in-law was awesome. Many of the doctors and nurses commented on his tender care…never leaving her side. Thank you Mark. You will never read this, since you don’t do much net surfing…but you were the perfect husband for her. You loved her completely. God blessed our family tremendously when you were married. We all love you dearly. Always will. You will always be our brother. You belong to Aimee, my brother Jeff, and myself.

I hope that somehow, the Lord will pour thoughts back into my head….as it has been very muddled lately. Hopefully next week I will post a devotion again. I love you all.

Missions

A New Body in Christ

A. Knight

This morning at 3:30 we held the hand of my sweet sister, Wanda, as she took her last struggling breath here….and stepped over into Heaven and drew a deep cleansing breath of celestial air.

Her loving husband, Mark, my mother, my youngest sister Aimee, our home church pastor, Reverend Tommy Moore, and myself were all kneeling and in prayer—-releasing her to our Father, who stepped from His heavenly home to our earthly one to escort His beloved sweet child home.We will miss her deeply, but we rejoice with her greatly! The pain and suffering she has endured these past, almost 44 years, has been heartbreaking to watch….but she suffers no more.

On the last day of this month, she will celebrate her 44th birthday—in heaven. I can only imagine the party my Father will throw for such a faithful beloved child.

With deep gratitude, I thank each of you faithful readers, for your prayers and sweet comments, either by e-mail or on this blog. Our hearts have been greatly blessed by reading your kind words.

This week will be full, therefore I will not be posting again for my usual Thankful Thursday. But rest assured, we are thankful….that she is doing things in heaven she could never do on this earth. As the Lord leads, I will share sweet moments of her final days with us.

We are all…..Still Trusting Him.

Keeping the Faith,

The Sisters (Angie)

Borrowed Blessings, Family

A New Body in Christ

A. Knight


This morning at 3:30 we held the hand of my sweet sister, Wanda, as she took her last struggling breath here….and stepped over into Heaven and drew a deep cleansing breath of celestial air. Her loving husband, Mark, my mother, my youngest sister Aimee, our home church pastor, Reverend Tommy Moore, and myself were all kneeling and in prayer—-releasing her to our Father, who stepped from His heavenly home to our earthly one to escort His beloved sweet child home.

We will miss her deeply, but we rejoice with her greatly! The pain and suffering she has endured these past, almost 44 years, has been heartbreaking to watch….but she suffers no more. On the last day of this month, she will celebrate her 44th birthday—in heaven. I can only imagine the party my Father will throw for such a faithful beloved child.

With deep gratitude, I thank each of you faithful readers, for your prayers and sweet comments, either by e-mail or on this blog. Our hearts have been greatly blessed by reading your kind words. This week will be full, therefore I will not be posting again for my usual Thankful Thursday. But rest assured, we are thankful….that she is doing things in heaven she could never do on this earth. As the Lord leads, I will share sweet moments of her final days with us.

We are all…..

Borrowed Blessings, Family, Prayer Requests

Wanda’s Hand (Updated)

A. Knight

Today, Wanda needs all the prayers that can be prayed. I appeciate each of you that have prayed and continue to go to the Father on her behalf. Last night as I was in my prayer room/library —the words would not come. Only the tears. But some time in all the mumblings of words, the Holy Spirit came in the room and interceded for me. As I type this the tears begin again. Can’t help it. It happens. The girls at work are very sweet. I have told them I couldn’t talk about the situation much at work due to needing to keep my “face” on, and my mind on my job.

Today they will give her a unit of blood—we need much prayer during this process. It is lengthy and can be accompanied by difficulties. Tomorrow they will give her another unit of blood. Her blood count is low, but this is not a surprise to the Father. They have her on a strong medication to pull the fluid off—pray that it works. She is weak—but He is strong.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthiansn 12:9
If you are curious as to why I put the “hand print” of Wanda on this page, go back and read here. Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate each of you. You have left me some precious e-mails. Many of you have e-mailed me prayers which I am saving to take to Wanda. Thank you for your love and kindness. God is good—and we trust fully in Him.
(Update: She is resting right now, recieved a unit of blood around midnight last night, which, the process takes approximately 4 hours—so there was not much rest last night at all. There has been no fluid loss — actually a gain—but we are counting the blood as being that gain.
Today, pray for rest in between all the activities and tests. Continue to pray for the fluid to come off. She is weak and weary. Pray for them all to be bathed in the annointing of the Holy Spirit—as He gives comfort—exactly what the Bible says He came for —-our Comforter. Pray for guidance in the doctors making the right decisions for Wanda. We pray for peace and comfort. Rest for the weary and annoited strength for those watching over her.
God is good and we continue to trust Him….even in the hard places. I will update as there are changes. She will receive another unit of blood at some point today we understood last night, but not sure when, since the first unit came so late last night. Thank you for your prayers. The Father hears.)

Thankful Thursdays

Joyful—Thankful Thursday

A. Knight

Thankful Thursday is the only meme I participate in without fail. If I miss….there is something wrong with Angie. You can count on either I am sick or somehow away from any computer. If I can get to one….there will be thankfulness shown here.

I have so much to be thankful for. I am amazed everyday at the critical hearts that I meet and see on a day to day basis. Lord, I don’t ever want to be ungrateful for my countless blessings.

I am thankful for my family. For the prayers that have gone up all over for my sister, Wanda. As I type this, she is in a hospital room attempting to rest…amid the nurses and caregivers coming in and out, taking blood, getting her ready for tests, asking questions. The Lord is near. He is . . . . .

Jehovah-Shammah ~ the Lord is there;

Jehovah-Rophe ~ the Lord who heals; and

Jehovah-Shalom ~ the Lord is peace.

How thankful I am tonight, that I know without doubt that the Father in heaven has a host of angels watching over her. That in His infinite care, she is held near His heart. That He is in control and that nothing will happen without His full knowledge. If it seems hard to us, we must remember that He prepares us for the hard times through His word and through prayer. He is equipping us for the job ahead. It is through the hard times we are molded, shaped and fashioned into a useable vessel.

I am thankful for a special friend that made my heart swell and my tears flow with the precious gift that I wore and held in my fingers all day as I prayed for each name that flowed through my mind. Hers especially.

I am thankful for the handprints I have recieved to make contact with in prayer. It is a wonderful reminder to “pray” without ceasing as Darnelle has written this week on her devotion blog and on the Internet Cafe! Prayer has been my main focus this year. For several reasons. First, I don’t pray enough. Second, I need to pray more. Third, how can I meet the day without prayer. Forth, without a daily conversation with my Father….how will I know His heart? So, you will find that many of my devotions this year will be about prayer. If you want to send me your handprint, I would be honored to pray for you. Just e-mail me and I will gladly send you my address.

In the Women’s Ministry class last night, my sister, Aimee said that they each drew their hands on a piece of paper and swapped hands. That way for the month, they each have a hand to hold in prayer. Someone else’s need to take to the Lord. A wonderful idea.

Since I have been praying more…I’ve had more battles….but you know what? I’ve had a close connection with the Lord….and I don’t feel ashamed to ask for help—-quick!

May you be blessed in innumerable ways as you read each Thankful Thursday post. If you don’t participate, read them anyway. It will remind you of all the blessings you have.

Thankful Thursday is a true joy! Thank you Iris for hosting and reminding us of what we have to be thankful for!

Missions

Grace Under Fire…

A. Knight

I had originally written this post on the “Sisters of Faith” blog. But with the events of the past month …I’ve been feeling the fire….and the grace of God. I started re-working it a bit several weeks ago…and all the while, God has been doing some “re-working” on me. I needed it. My heart longs for more of Him….but pieces of me just keep getting in the way.

Join me on Wednesday for the rest of this story….Grace Under Fire. It is real life….not just a TV show.

Borrowed Blessings, Family

Teach us to Pray

A. Knight

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There are many things we teach our children. From the first time we hold our newborn, we begin our important role as “teacher”. We teach them to trust the sound of our voice. We hope that hearing our voice will enable them to feel calm. We teach them to make eye contact. We teach them to listen, laugh, and love. As they grow we begin to teach them to walk, talk, have good manners, be obedient…but one of the most important things you can teach your child….is to pray.

When our little grandsons come for a spend the night visit it is an honor and privilege to listen to them and to help them begin having conversations with the Father. Sometimes they pray long…sometimes very short. The length is not important…the conversation is. Prayer is key to faith. We want them to have faith and believe in God. We want them to know that nothing in this life will ever be too great or too small to take to the Lord in prayer.

I remember last year taking Zackary home to catch the bus after a sleep over and visit with us. I was in a hurry and didn’t get a chance for prayer before we left. So, as I drove through town I asked him if I could pray for him. He said I could, and I laid my hand on his head as I drove. I asked the Lord to protect him, give him wisdom, help him to be obedient and kind and for a healing touch in his body (he was sick with a cold). I could feel Zackary watching me as I prayed and drove. I don’t think he had experienced the “praying driver” before. When I finished my prayer I squeezed his hand and said “Amen!” He looked me in the eye and with all seriousness said, “What did Jesus say?”

This caught me off guard for a brief second, but I quickly replied, “He said, Okay.” This satisified him completely. He needed to know that somehow I felt God speak to my heart. And I do.

I won’t say that I feel something from heaven everytime I pray. There have been times, especially recently that my prayers have seemed to hit the ceiling and bounce back. I have felt such a heavy heart, especially in the most recent days with Wanda beginning to retain fluids again. But I don’t give up. I do not stop praying. That would make the enemy the winner. And that’s not happening.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We may not “see” prayers being answered today or tomorrow, but sister, I do not doubt for one single minute that they are being heard. So, I will not cease to pray. I will persevere. I will carry on for the cause of Christ.

I fix my eyes not on what I see, but rather on what I don’t see. For what I see is only temporary. It won’t last long. As mother quotes rather regularly, “this too shall pass”. So I fix my gaze on what is unseen. For it is eternal. You may think that is an unusual statement, to “gaze on the unseen”. It is not my “physical eyes” that need to see. It is my “spiritual eyes“. As long as my focus is clear spiritually, I can face what my physical eyes must see.

When the outward circumstances of our lives become literally unbearable and our human resources are completely exhausted….God’s resources can come in and expand our faith by whatever means He chooses. God will never forsake His beloved children. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5(b)

Teach them to pray. Teach them faith. Teach them hope, love, believing in and having full confidence in Christ. Teach them by example. It’s never to late to start.

Thankful Thursdays

Thursday’s Compassion

A. Knight

Today is Thursday….thankfully. I have been so ready for this week to close…if we want to be real honest here…I am ready to have some time off. Off from work. Off from problems. Off away with my Lord. Time with my Father. I feel the urgency. The need.
As Wanda and I have been in the Beth Moore Bible Study, “Stepping Up”, we are studying the Psalms of Ascents. What can I say about this? Wow. That is me—doing the “woe is me” at times in my life. I have been right there with David and Solomon and the other few writers of the 15 Songs. These are found in Psalm 120-134. We start out in distress….but end up in praise to the Father! Take some time and read those. It is ministering to my heart.
Now to be thankful:
I am thankful for my honey. My sweet man. When I told him last night that I had ordered myself a new Bible for Valentines Day “from him” to take the load off him…he replied…”what if I wasn’t going to get you a new Bible?“….I smiled and said…“oh, you were”. I’ve had my eye on one on the Christian Book Distributors (it’s a parallel—4 versions!) and actually wanted it for Christmas…but didn’t voice it “loud enough”. So I decided to help him out.
(Remember he said stay out of Lifeway for a while—he forgot CBD 🙂 )
I am thankful for my family….and that we will have a precious new addition sometime in late September (thank you April and David for adding to our nest of grandchildren). I love being a grandmother more than I ever dreamed possible. I never thought in a kzillion years I’d be one at 46….but honey here I am!
I am thankful for the Lord meeting me every single time I pray. In the morning and at night. He’s there. And everytime we pray in between, He’s there as well. I don’t have to “recharge” my cell phone to talk to Him. It’s a free call.
I am thankful for the hope of heaven. My eternal home. Where I will FINALLY see my Lord —and all my family that has gone on before. AND we—you and me (the precious reader of this—if you know HIM) will be able to sit and talk…and worship the Father of all! And SING! AND REJOICE—and do all the things He has lined up for us to do! (You didn’t think it would be a sit around and be bored life did you?)
I love each of you! Please visit my sweet buddy Iris—she has graciously invited us all to sit a spell and enjoy all the other “thankful hearts” at her house (bloggity speaking of course)
Missions

Bloggers Conference!—no, I mean

A. Knight

A Speaking, Writing and Leadership Conference! (With special sessions for Bloggers!) Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries has asked Shannon, Melanie and Boo Mama to lead a couple of sessions on blogging at this summer’s She Speaks conference in Concord, North Carolina. The conference is scheduled for June 20-22, 2008 ! Lysa is also giving someone the opportunity to earn a scholarship to attend the conference if you (like me) are just always in the “low funds” area of life. (I know these are low funds days when my sweet man instructs me to “stay away” from LifeWay Christian Supply. He knows I have a tendency to “find” books I just “NEED”.) Lysa is having a scholarship contest right now so get over there.

I am pumped about this…REALLY wanting to go—-and part of the rules for entering is to tell a little about the conference (a) and to share why I would LOVE to win! EASY PEAZY! So here goes (a):

I can’t speak. I am not a speaker. NOT A SPEAKER. But I can write. Or at least I attempt at such. When asked to speak….I get scared. Break out in a rash on my neck. I get twitches in my eye. I get a “set” stomach (opposite of upset)—eewwww—maybe I shouldn’t have shared that.

But recently in prayer when it was God’s turn to hold the “talking stick”….I was silent and He said, “you can do all things through My strength.” I believed Him. I told Him I did not want to ever be like Moses and come up with excuses—knowing full well that a God who could burn a bush and not burn a bush at the same time…could absolutely give me the words and wisdom I needed for the hour at hand. So I need NEED to win (my extra funds are delegated for tires). I WANT to WIN. If that is what He wants. I do not pray for anything out of His divine plan for my puzzle pieced life. I simply [do my best] to wait on Him to fit the puzzle together. I try not to hand Him pieces that surely don’t fit [yet].

Besides learning to “speak”,—I can learn to write more effectively! AND learn how to submit some of these rambling thoughts to a publisher who can turn it into something beneficial for others! I can get some needed “bloggin’ help as well!

So….girlfriend….if you would like to participate in this awesome contest…head over to Lysa’s! If you aren’t participating…but want to pray….PRAY FOR ME! Not to win. But, to be in His will….wherever it takes me. (Or, if you have an extra $500 laying around catching dust…it can be tax-deductible donation—if you send me! That’s what I read here.)

I so love all my readers and fellow bloggers. I would love to meet you all! If I have the opportunity to attend (by a miracle–and I do believe), then we can actually sit down for that long hoped for cup of coffee!