Psalm 66:16 – Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. (NLT)

It was a sunny morning in early July when my husband, who hadn't been sick, suddenly dropped dead in the middle of a golf game. He was surrounded by friends, and it was his turn to hit, when he fell out of the cart on the third hole, already in heaven before his body reached the ground.

I had kissed him goodbye for the last time. He had been my Sunday School teacher when I was a teenager, he only a few years older. He was the best listener that I ever knew, both to me and to everyone whom he met. He taught me how to listen to our God.

How was I to go on without him? For a while, I didn't see any answer. Going over everything again after the memorial service, I suddenly realized that God had given me what seemed like a "receipt" by selecting the third hole of that particular golf course for it to happen. My husband could have died anywhere, even in traffic. But he had told me many times about wanting his ashes scattered on that hole. Only God and I knew about that. It was a single detail that made all the difference. God chose that way to let me know that He was in it, that He knew all about it.

Such assurances are not always as direct, of course. I believe that spiritual insight comes when we pray.

• First praying.
• Then listening.
• Finally, seeing.

Sometimes, the insight unfolds slowly over time, but they say that patience always hitches a ride with understanding.

Psalm 66:5 – Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! (NLT)

Prayer: Dear kind heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to see Your hand in our lives, the everlasting arms beneath us, and Your promises coming true over and over as we grow and learn on this pilgrim journey. Thank You for the ability to express our gratitude, and even joy, in the midst of loss and sorrow. Amen.

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About the author:

Rose DeShaw <rise370@gmail.com>
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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