August 10, 2010
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No Testimony is Too Tiny In my first job after college, I was blessed with a tiny reality-check-glimpse of how the elders praised God in the midst of struggle. Pre-cell phones, pre-GPS, and pre- high tech cars that announce their fuel status, I was on business in a rental car on the New Jersey Turnpike. Exits pop up as close together as blades of grass in early May. Lightheaded because I hadn’t kept down food for two days, I was too sick to see through the pouring rain. Too timid to switch lanes, lacking cash for the toll exits…the gas ran out. Definitely missing my next appointment and maybe the next one…after I could get directions. After I could figure out where I was. After I could get gas. I blew my nose, put on a trench coat, got out, and began to walk. I scolded myself for not filling up last night, for not studying the maps better. I mocked myself: “Look at you walking in the rain. Walking in the rain.” I began to laugh; then cry; then praise God. Because I was walking. I was walking! I had on good boots and a coat for rain! I could see a gas station. I would get there. They would have gas. And a phone. And directions. There was a filling station, as the old folks would say, ‘that would have everything I needed.’ Prayer God of refuge, shelter from every storm: Open my eyes, that I may see. Thought for the day Count your blessings / name them one by one / count your many blessings / see what God has done. |
xin Chao,
Greetings from Vietnam! This is your former member Tiana. I left Chicago to fulfill a position teaching graphic design in Ho Chi Minh City. Thank you for the daily devotions! They keep me sane, and keep me going. Especially when I become fed up with being soo foreign, and lacking resources I used to have, like a church family! "Cam on!" is thank you Vietnamese. God Bless!
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Thank you Rev. Tiffany Trent for these reminders to continue my faith in God, & all that he is totally capable of doing in our lives, no matter what the circumstances ( : My family has been going through very challenging times with a lawsuit, currently filed against some of the City's departments (Cad, mainly). I have never in all my life witnessed such manipulative evil! My purse had been stolen from my broken in car at the 31st Lake Front last month. The people who stole it used my Chase cards to make several purchases both in Chicago, and Skokie at, PepBoys (over $900.00) Unfortunately the Police Report in Chgo. was not passed on to a Detective immediately at the, 51st & Wentworth station. I was also told that the detective didn't have enough to gone on at the time, and that I would need to make another report stating that the car theft happened at my home on the 86th block of Calumet ave. I was given the help needed from the 111th & Doty Police station the next day, as I asked them to add the additional proof to my original report. This officer was very helpful, and stated that the 1st one had missing details, therefore a new one needed to be made for this report. I had begun to question whether God was listening to my prayers in church, at home, as well as with my Yoga ministry. After reading what you have shared Rev. Trent I do know that God is still in charge, even though there are several negative, people who consistently harass myself, and my immediate family members. This is due to my husbands suit now filed, with the EEOC. There have even been people who follow us to church to observe, and every where we go! I know that God is still in charger and will soon make all lies, and untruths about our situation known. I have strong faith in God and what he can do, because of all the things he has already done in my life up to this point alone! As you have said, "count your blessings, name them 1 by 1, and see what God has done already." Well here's just a few of mine: 1. He woke me up this morning and saw to it that I made it to Yoga, even though my throat was sore. 2. He placed breath into my lungs so that I may continue to fight the battle, and continue to do his will, and not my own. 3. He cured my husband while at UIC hospital even though the enemy came in person to the Emergency room area to attempt to cause further harm! 4. He has blessed me and my family with this church, and a truly God fearing leader! 5. He continues to walk with me through every trial, no matter how big/small.
6. Although my husband no longer is a Chicago Fire-Fighter of a 22 year career, and I had lost my job as a CPS-classroom teacher, God still provides for us daily! Our enemies can't even understand this! To them I say, "don't be so shocked at what God can do, continue to watch my family as you do daily, learn from us that God is bigger than lies that Satin continues to misguide you with; see truth, change & do God's will! Thank Rev. Tiffany
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