Category: testimony

Permission to Sit in God’s Presence

On By vickleaIn encouragement, Scripture, testimony2 Comments

Closer that You Think (Daily Refresh, 12-06)

In one unsuspecting moment, everything can change.

A relationship can shatter, a dream can suddenly end. Your heart can break for a million different reasons: grief, rejection, loneliness, uncertainty, tragedy, betrayal.

When something terrible happens and the world makes zero sense…

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 
Psalm 34:18 NLT

David, the writer of Psalm 34, preached what he lived. He experienced some intense highs and fierce lows, but he recognized God’s presence in the midst of his circumstances. He knew that God was near, and God could change any situation in an instant.

Is your heart broken? Is your spirit crushed?

God is near.
He hasn’t left you to fight for yourself.
He sees you in your heartbreak.
He meets you where you are.
He has not forgotten you.
He has not abandoned you.

This doesn’t mean you won’t face hard things. But even when your mind races and your heart doubts, God offers a peace and an intimacy that cannot be fully explained.

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we now have constant access to God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. There are many places in the Bible where the Holy Spirit is described as the Comforter—ready to soothe, guide, counsel, and encourage. 

The comfort we receive from God is a gift from His Spirit who is always with us. So if your heart is breaking and your spirit is crushed, know that you are in good hands. God is near, and He will not abandon you.

Trials and hardships are a part of life, but God has the final say.

Right now, take a few moments to name anything that has crushed your spirit. Then, give yourself permission to just sit in God’s presence for a few moments. When you’re ready, consider memorizing today’s verse and meditate on it throughout your day.

My Thoughts

Everyone has been through tough times in life. When I was a young married mom, my family in Virginia disappeared. Yes. They disappeared. They packed up and left town in the middle of the night and I had no idea where they were for over two years. My mom, my dad, my two brothers who were 19 and 13 and my five year-old sister. Gone! My husband and I rushed to Virginia after my grandmother’s frantic call that they were leaving, but they were gone. There was a warrant for my father’s arrest and they were in hiding somewhere. The FBI questioned me. I was overwhelmed with grief and filled with questions.

What kept me going? God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. At that time, we were scheduled to go to Youth with a Mission in the fall, so we went there, with my family missing and feeling lost, I went. There, I immersed myself in God’s Word and got through that hard time. I cannot tell you how because it is all a foggy period of my life. But when I got a letter from my mother over two years later, I rejoiced to be able to reunite with my family again.

God is there in the hard times, in the good times, in all the times. We have to accustom ourselves to spending time in His presence to know with certainty that He is there for us. He will make Himself known and be close to you just as He was close to me then and in all of the other times I have called out to Him. God is no respecter of persons and I am a witness to the power and comfort He brings in the hardest times of life.

Broken and Fixed

On By vickleaIn encouragement, God’s blessings, promises, Scripture, testimony, YouVersion App1 Comment

I think that we can all agree that this toy car is past the ability to put it back together again. I remember when our children were young that they would break a toy and bring it to me to fix. Well, I am not good at those kinds of things, unless it was a wheel that needed to be put back on a car or a head back on a doll. I could sew eyes back on stuffed animals, too, as well as apply bandaids to their “owies” in order that my child was mollified and would continue to accept and play with the toy as it was. In general, my usual reply to the problem of a broken toy was that they needed to find something else to play with because that toy was headed to the trash pile.

I was once like that broken toy. I needed all new parts, a lot of banging dents out and a lot of careful attention to the details so I could work again. That’s when Jesus came into my life.

I am, you are, we all are healed by the Lord Jesus. That is not to say that we don’t have physical ailments. That would be a lie. Our bodies were not made to last forever; rather, they are a temporary abode for our soul that will go to heaven to spend eternity with God. Sometimes, God does heal us physically, but it’s not something that we can “name it and claim it” and it happens. I am thankful that God healed me when I had a stroke, but honestly, I was too unaware of what was happening to really know what He had done until after it was finished. Then, I realized what God had done for me and was thankful and amazed.

I think what I am trying to say is that Jesus healed our brokenness on the cross. He healed the relationship between us and the Father, and that is a healing that is always there for us because that was all part of God’s plan of salvation. But it upsets me sometimes when I see people desperately ill with terminal diseases like cancer and they are not healed of the sickness. Instead, they are generally taken to be with the Lord (if they are Christ believers). I have thought about that long and hard and come to the conclusion that that is the ultimate healing. There is no more pain after that. No, their physical bodies did not survive, but their soul is happily ensconced in heaven with the Lord, which is what we should all be looking forward to.

As I write this, I am having a stomach issue with a lot of pain and bathroom trips to eliminate whatever is making me sick. Would I like to be healed physically in this moment? Of course! It’s no fun becoming good friends with the toilet seat. And I prayed that God would take care of me and help me to get better. But if the instantaneous does not happen, I know that God is still working on the soul part of me to draw me closer to Him in spite to the illness. I don’t want to be like some and get angry with God because I prayed and He didn’t instantly answer. God is not my personal wish granter. He is my Heavenly Father and I trust Him to take care of me, even if it’s through the sickness instead of a miraculous healing. After all, I know what a miracle is. I had a massive stroke and I am still here almost eleven years later. I can walk, talk, eat, sing, smile and enjoy life because I was healed. I have been blessed with enjoying the company of ten grandchildren, after the stroke. I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary, after the stroke. Even my neurologist says I am a walking miracle. Does God care about the little things like a stomach bug? I’m sure He does because I think He cares about everything that happens in our lives. Will He suddenly heal me? Maybe. But the healing of my physical body is not what I seek after. I seek after the spiritual healing, the touch I receive daily from the Lord that inspires my posts online and helps me to understand His Word and to get closer to Him.

God doesn’t want anyone that He loves to continue through life in the shape of that toy car, broken and discarded. He fixes us from the inside out, starting with our hearts. We were all once broken, but now we are “fixed” by the Master Craftsman who created us. He fixed us and continues to do the necessary repairs to make us whole and ready to live with Him forever.

Prayer from the YouVersion, Daily Refresh, 11-08-25

Praise Report

On By vickleaIn praise, Scripture, testimony6 Comments

I have such a wonderful testimony of God’s grace and power to share today! I went to see my orthopedist on Tuesday, the doctor who told me that in all likelihood, my foot fracture would never heal because of various other health conditions. He came jubilantly into the room yesterday after viewing my new x-rays and told me and my husband that my foot is healing…on its own, without surgery. It is growing new bone!

That, my friends, I will count as a miracle and an answer to prayer! He said it will take about a year to heal completely, but I can transition out of the boot and start wearing my regular shoes all the time in about a month. Just so everyone knows, I give all the glory to God and thank all of you who prayed for me. God is good…all the time!

First Line Friday

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony7 Comments

Today’s first line will be different than what you are probably expecting. My first line is from the Book of John in the Holy Bible.

The Book of John is near and dear to me because it was in reading this book, all alone in my apartment late at night fifty plus year ago, that I turned to the Lord for salvation. My neighbor gave me the Bible and the Holy Spirit prodded me to read it. I read, I believed, I received, I accepted and I began a lifelong journey of repentance and change.

What is the first line you ever read in the Bible? What is your testimony? Sharing is important because it is in sharing, just as my neighbor did, that we show we truly care.

Have a blessed day, friends!

A Step, A Misstep and Back on Track

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, Scripture, testimony3 Comments

I was so happy yesterday that I felt stable enough on my boot to be able to attend Sunday school and church. I had no idea what having my leg down all that time would feel like since I have been elevating it as much as possible.

The boot is somewhat weighty but I am praying that it does the job of helping my fractured foot to heal.

Anyway, church went well. Our granddaughter was there with us and agreed with me that the music was too loud as usual. The first song’s percussion and bass were annoyingly loud, so I was glad I had my noise-cancelling headphones to wear. The sermon was about part of the Sermon on the Mount and was a timely and relevant message that we enjoyed. After church, we had made plans to go to a local restaurant to celebrate Teya’s first week of work and first week of staying with us.

I thought I had done pretty well so far when we headed to the restaurant. My foot was throbbing a little and achy, but not so much that it wasn’t bearable. When we got to the restaurant, I requested a table instead of a booth since I knew that a booth would be difficult for me to get into and out of. Unfortunately, there was a wait for a table, even though I could see plenty of empty ones from the entrance. Those were not available due to understaffing, I think. So, I stood and waited with my foot throbbing. (I had to stand since the seating for waiting is too low for me to get up again.) I got more irate about the wait as time passed and told my husband and Teya that I would have to leave a poor review online if this continued. Teya calmly told me that they were doing the best they could…the voice of reason to my raging sea. After about fifteen minutes, we were shown to our table and we enjoyed a good meal and good fellowship together. I am happy to report that my mood improved as I prayed to God to calm me and strengthen me. Our server was outstandingly attentive, polite and cheerful, so the experience was good.

All of that to say that I could have ruined the whole thing with my poor attitude if our sweet granddaughter had not reproved me, gently and with love, but a reproof nevertheless. I think God used her to remind me of what was important, i.e. being a good witness, not just demanding my own way.

So, I took a step out, took a misstep towards impatience and irritation and then got back on track with the help of a gentle word from Teya. All of that proves to me that no matter how far I think I may have come, I have a lot farther to go. God is still working on me, and I am still a work in progress.

Faith and Doubt

On By vickleaIn prayer request, Scripture, testimony10 Comments

Jesus says everything is possible to the one who believes. But how do you believe in a situation that poses a challenge to you?

This has been me for several weeks now. I started with pain in my foot after our trip to Maryland. I went to the ER, they said it was probably sprained and put me in an orthopedic shoe, telling me to make an appointment with a specialist to check for a hairline fracture. I had that appointment on the 16th and my left foot does have a hairline fracture, and I have a new orthopedic boot to wear.

Then, shortly after the ER visit, my allergy symptoms got worse and I thought I had a sinus infection, so I scheduled a visit at the office of my PCP. I didn’t get to see my regular doctor because he wasn’t in that day, and the lady I saw gave me steroids for my persistent cough and said I had Flu A, so I needed fluids and rest. I explained that I always get sicker without help from antibiotics because my immune system doesn’t work well. Nevertheless, I went home with the medral and got increasingly worse. I have been doing breathing treatments for almost two weeks now, interspersed with my rescue inhaler. I have never had to use my nebulizer to much in one time frame before, so this is a little scary for me. I see my pulmonologist tomorrow, for which I am very thankful since after two weeks of coughing incessantly , my abdomen and my ribs hurt. Not trying to whine, just telling you what has been happening in my world.

I got up Saturday and had trouble moving my right leg and bending at all. I think it is a side effect of wearing the very heavy boot on my left foot, so I called my orthopedic specialist this morning and left a message about what to do about this latest problem.

I’m feeling a little discouraged and with not a lot of faith left in my bucket. I have prayed, oh, how I have prayed. I prayed for my foot not to be broken. Well, it is. I prayed for my cough to get better, but it didn’t. So, with what little faith I have in my bucket, I am praying that God will work in this situation as only God can do and that He will help my doubt to spring forth with seeds of faith. It’s not that I don’t believe He can. I do! What I am not sure of is what His answer will be and I am holding on tightly, waiting to breathe better and to walk without excruciating pain. In the meantime, I am grateful for specialists, thankful for my husband who takes me to all of these doctors and especially thankful that I have my faith in God that comforts me even when I am feeling “undone.” I don’t understand why all of this is happening, but I know that God does and He is right there next to me, comforting me with words from the Holy Bible and with His Spirit to keep me calm and focused.

I would appreciate your prayers, not for healing, although that would be good, too. I need prayers for a bigger faith and less doubt. I have found that faith is easy to find on the mountaintop, but in the valley, it is not readily apparent, although I know it is still there.

Meanwhile, I will praise and exalt the God who created me, who knows all things and who loves me in spite of my doubts in my trials.

The Boot and the Attitude

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, Scripture, testimony1 Comment

Well, yesterday I saw the specialist at Ortho VA and he provided me with new footwear.

He told me that I do have a broken bone in my left foot, one that starts under my small toe and extends to the underside of my foot. Having discussed all of my medical conditions, he forthrightly told me that he would put me in a boot for the next five weeks or so and hope that it heals. But he also told me that since I cannot take extra Vitamin D and calcium (due to my kidney), he doesn’t think that will happen. The next step is to have surgery and insert a screw. Again, he said it probably would not heal because I just don’t have a lot of bone to work with. At that point, I think he was waiting for me to start crying or get really upset because he looked at me perplexed and asked if I understood.

I told him that I did understand and I knew that my body has a lot of problems. I also joked that my warranty ran out and God isn’t renewing it until I come to live with Him. He told me I had a good attitude and was happy to work with me to find a solution for my foot problem. I followed up by telling him that I wasn’t too concerned since I personally know the Great Physician. His entire face smiled and he said that was why I could have such a good attitude.

I must confess that I am not generally “Merry Sunshine” who looks for all of the good things wrapped up tightly in the bad. But I am realistic and know what my body has been through and what God has already done for me. Thus, I am wearing this wonderfully heavy boot, using a walker to steady myself and believing that God can do the work in me that man says is impossible.

If you have not read or do not follow Grace Fox, I encourage you to do so. She is the sweetest Christian lady, lives on a boat with her husband and travels for missions trips a lot. She also writes some wonderful devotionals. The latest one is on the names of God.

In closing, I appreciate your prayers, but I feel that I must assure you that God is in control and I know it. No matter what happens. If He heals me, to God be the glory. But if He doesn’t, to God be the glory! May He continue to use me to show people a good attitude and thankfulness. In a world filled with darkness, I want to be a light.

Worry-Planning

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony5 Comments

I am not the originator of this phrase, but I think that I have been doing it all my life. It actually came from one of the devotionals that I receive in my email each day and this phrase stuck to me like glue on paper. I confess that I am a “worry planner.” I think of all of the what if situations that I can and try to plan for them, just in case. Yes, I am a Christian, and yes, I believe in God’s sovereignty and control, but when it comes to laying things down at the cross, I confess that I fail miserably.

I was looking out the window this morning at a hummingbird at its feeder and thought to myself that soon the hummingbirds will be gone and the cold will come. Now, think about that. I didn’t ponder the beauty and wonder of the hummingbird. I started thinking about preparing for the cold months to come. That is the worry-planner in me. God’s Spirit spoke clearly to my heart and told me to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of me instead of being so concerned about what is coming. Talk about a slap of reality and a good old dose of the Spirit getting my attention!

I realized that I want control. I say that I let God have control, but in many ways, I really don’t. Because I plan for every eventuality (to the best of my limited capability) and get frustrated when life interrupts my plans. God is telling me just to let go and enjoy the present. I don’t know what will happen next, but I do know that if it’s from God, it will be good for me in the end. So, pray for me as I am in a season of learning to let go, lay things down at the altar and unclasping my firmly grasping hands so that God can truly be in control. I don’t want to be a worry-planner anymore. I want to be a faith-filled, confident child of God. That will take some real doing on my part, but God is able to build this part of me just as He has built others. He knocks down walls and then builds from scratch what I could never build on my own. So again, prayers appreciated.

My husband and I have a big event happening next Sunday. No, not an anniversary or anything like that. Our granddaughter Teya is coming to live with us while she pursues her Master’s degree. We are the closest relative to her new college, so when we were asked if she could live with us and commute there every other weekend for her in-person classes, we readily agreed. This week, in the midst of illness, problems walking and regular life challenges, it hit both of us that we have not had anyone live with us long-term since our youngest moved out about twenty years ago. The plan is for Teya to be here for about two years. But, I am holding that plan with an open hand, knowing God is in the midst of this plan and He has His own plans for Teya and her future. In the meantime, pray for us to be helpful and loving grandparents to an adult granddaughter who is steadfastly devoted to Christ and will undoubtedly be a blessing to us. I wish I could say I did not worry-plan for this event, but I did and now I have let it go. My bum foot won’t let me clean and prepare for the visit, so my husband has cleaned out the closet for her and is getting things ready for her arrival. I am letting go and letting God tell me what He wants me to do with my limited mobility right now. God is good and He doesn’t want me to worry-plan anymore, so this is the first thing I am letting go of. I hope it lasts and that I don’t grab it back as Sunday approaches. Again, prayers, appreciated.

A Favorite Hymn

On By vickleaIn Song, testimony, Video6 Comments

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Link to the hymn on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/yKP_XxCBDZY

Lyrics:

1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

—

2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

—

3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

—

4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

—

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.

—

6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

My Musings

I was raised in a traditional church, although I did not attend regularly. But hymns were a regular part of every Sunday when I did attend, and I learned to listen to the words as I sang them. Now that I am a Christian, I have found that the words of the old hymns continue to speak to my heart of a faithful God who is eternal and unchanging. The world may change; the standards all around us may change. But God will never change, so we can count on Him to fulfill His promises and to take us to be with Him one day.

A Personal Note:

I am spending the weekend with our son and his family at a water park in Williamsburg, Virginia. This trip was planned several months ago and we all have been excited about spending time together in a relaxing environment. Unfortunately, on the Friday before our trip, I had to go to the ER because of awful pain in my left foot. After x-rays and an examination, the doctor said that he thinks it is just badly sprained but it may have a hairline fracture. So, later this month, I have to see the orthopedic specialist. Meanwhile, I am in an ortho shoe for support and using pain patches. I cannot get in the water with the rest of my family, but I am enjoying seeing their exuberance and excitement here. So, no worries because God is good all the time and I know and believe it even when my plans don’t work out as I expected!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Tuesday and All is Well

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony6 Comments

Those of you who read my posts regularly know that I recently posted that our church was considering a merger with another church that is slightly larger than ours. I am out of town right now and Sunday, I started getting messages one after another on my phone from our Bible Study group. They were all happy about the news announced in church that day. Since I hadn’t been there, I asked “What news?” The news was that the pastors and elders of our church had decided to no longer pursue a merger. Hallelujah! No real details were given about their decision, just “after careful consideration and prayer…”

So, the scriptures prove true once again. No surprise there! We were all in a dither about what we would do if the merger happened, especially since the way it was presented to us, it seemed like a “done deal.” Most of us in our group planned to start looking for another church if the merger came to be. But we all determined to pray, speak out about our reasons for reluctance for change and then wait for God to act. Somehow, in some way, he touched minds and hearts and they changed. It is definitely a God thing to do and we are thankful. So, worrying doesn’t do any good. It just brings stress and anxiety and maybe some health issues. Just turn things over to God and wait for Him to act! I am still very unhappy with the noise level of the bass and percussion at our church, but I am still praying and still expecting God to act. I don’t want to take any action that God is not the leader of. Out of His will is NOT a good place to be!

Knock and keep knocking until there is an answer! Yes, No or Wait are all answers, although they may not be the one we want or expect.