The thing about transparency is that you have to be willing to be transparent. Not just in the good times but also the bad. Maybe even the ugly. But I've found that God can do amazing things when we share our failures. Sometimes it’s our ugliness that helps people in the ways they need most.
It was late one night when the phone rang. Not too late, but late enough. My wife picked it up and I didn't hear anything else for a while. I was working on producing the Life Resurrected audio book and getting frustrated with the software.
Suddenly my wife was at the door telling me that one of our friends had called asking if we would come and pray for her mother who was in the hospital. We had no idea what was wrong and she didn't tell us. We didn't even know her mother was in the hospital.
My reaction was less than…well let’s just say it was terrible. I was angry. I was angry that it was late and we had to go to the hospital. I was angry because everything I had planned for the night was ruined. The kids were staying overnight at their grandparents which gave me another reason to be upset. It was looking like a quiet, relaxing evening but not anymore. I complained all the way down the stairs and into the car. My wife was just shaking her head at me as if to say, “Are you seriously throwing fit because someone asked us to come and pray?” I was.
About 5 minutes into the 25 minute trip I was still venting. My wife was just being silent, patiently waiting for the Lord to get a hold of me. Then it happened. I heard the soft voice of Jesus tell me that there were many times in which he stepped away from what He had planned so that He could minister to those who came to Him. He allowed Himself to be repeatedly interrupted because He loved the people so much.
I spent the next few minutes repenting for my ridiculous and childish attitude as compassion filled me for the person we were going to see. It was then that we began to ask the Lord to show us how to approach the person we were going to see. He responded by showing us a vision with an accompanying message.
We arrived at the hospital and our friend escorted us up to where her mother was. My wife and I explained the vision we’d seen and gave her the message we’d heard. It ended up being a word of knowledge for her medical condition and the message spoke directly to her heart. Then we spent time praying for her healing, physically and spiritually.
That night God touched her heart in a special way. He also touched her body. We received word the next day that her heart efficiency had increased by a significant percentage and there was no plaque buildup like they were expecting. She was discharged a couple days later.
I learned many things that night. Things I didn't expect to learn when we received the call. God is so faithful. He doesn't give up on us when we react poorly. He gives us the chance to embrace the opportunities He brings to us. But we have to choose to get over our sense of inconvenience. I had to give up my anger and frustration. It was the only way I could have a chance to hear from the Lord and be a part of the amazing things He did that night.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
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