The Bella ~ Mella: The Bracelet

A few months ago I felt impressed by the Lord to give my favorite bracelet away. This bracelet was only worth about $40 but I wore it often. It was silver and had crosses in different styles on it. The person to whom I felt I should give it is an older lady who had earlier refused my offer of gas money. I wondered if she would refuse the bracelet, too. I wondered if she would even wear the bracelet. I wondered if she would be able to clasp and unclasp the bracelet.

Because I thought I knew more about this precious lady than God did, I did not give her the bracelet the first time I felt impressed to do so. A couple of Sundays I actually didn't even wear the bracelet to church. If I didn't have it with me, I couldn't give it away. Then, there was the thought that maybe God wasn't telling me to give the bracelet away at all. Maybe it was just a random thought I had! Not.

Finally, I decided that I would stop trying to excuse myself from obeying God's leading. On a Sunday morning while getting ready for church I decided to obey God that day about the bracelet. By now I just wanted to get give the bracelet to the lady and be done with it! That morning there was an altar call and this lady went for prayer. I went down to pray with her and talk to her concerning her need. At the end of the prayer time, she looked at me and said, "No one has ever told me what you did. I'll be thinking about this for a long time."
It was then that I took my bracelet off and put it on her wrist.
She didn't refuse! She loved it!
I was so relieved.
Several times when I would see her at church she would simply hold up her arm and show me she was wearing the bracelet. She told me that it reminded her to pray!

I have no idea why God wanted me to give away a relatively inexpensive bracelet.
But I do know that He wants us to obey His voice even when we don't really understand the significance of the action.

If we don't train our spiritual ears to hear HIM when all is well, how will we discern HIS voice when we are in a dark valley...even the valley of the shadow of death?

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" Hebrews 5:14.

I wrote about another time that God prompted me to give something away. You can read about it here. (Be sure to read parts one and two.)

We are headed back to Shands in Gainesville today. Andrew is scheduled Wednesday morning to have a "port" put in for the chemo drug.
Thursday morning he has another MRI. I am asking God for this MRI to show that HE has already removed all traces of cancer.
HE is a good God, mighty to save! HE is trustworthy. We continue to obey HIS word and come boldy before the throne with our petitions. We continue to hear HIM speaking words to us that we cling to as we walk holding HIS hand through this valley.
One final thing: Yesterday we called to find out if the fluid that was drained from Andrew's head showed infection. IT DID NOT. PRAISE GOD FOR ANOTHER ANSWERED PRAYER.
Thank you all for praying about that!
Love,
Melanie & family

~(Pictures taken 12/08)~

Andrew...out on a limb. But we know Jesus is the vine and we are the branches! (John 15)