Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

Article about Sowing Seeds of Faith and Internet Ministry

“Where Is God's Grace? The Terrell Maddox Story."

2002 has been a difficult year: the continuing war against terrorism, the potential war against Iraq, corporate lay-offs, bankruptcies, accounting scandals which all add up to a sputtering economy and an unstable world. These events however, only tell part of the story. The following letter from Terrell Maddox, an engineer caught up in the wave of corporate lay-offs shares a more personal view.

“Larry, I do not believe I ever formally thanked anyone for the many thoughts and prayers on our behalf. Please pass along my gratitude to those responsible. This past year has truly been a year of change and I thank the Lord for the loving support our church has shown me and my family.”

“Not always did I put my trust in the Lord as I should. As you know, I lost my job last year. I set my personal goal, to find gainful employment one month later. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Each morning I knew the phone would ring with someone offering me a job. Each evening when no call came I became increasingly cynical and angry.”

“One Sunday, you talked about grace. You used the analogy of a father (God) teaching his young son (God’s children) to ride a bike. As they rode along, the father would follow behind with his hand on the seat so the child would not fall. At some point the father would let go and the child would ride on his own. I thought of that sermon many times. I wondered… where was God’s grace in my situation?”

"Live the Light!

Five Weeks to a Life that Shines!"

Click Here

to read

“I went to church every Sunday, put my trust in Him and tried to raise my children as He instructed. Now we were about to lose everything we worked so hard to achieve. Where was the grace? I felt as if I was the young child and my father let go of the seat. I was successful in riding to the end of the street and as I turned my bike around no one was there. Father was gone and I was left to ride back down the street on my own looking for help. By now months had passed and I was failing to see any grace.”

“You have to understand that I am goal oriented and success driven. I was accustomed to putting together a plan with a specific outcome in mind and executing that plan. But the situation I was dealing with was totally out of control. I would not see and appreciate what God was doing until much later.”

Can you understand the pain expressed in this letter? Maybe this would be a good time to read one of God’s promises: “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24) In other words, you may stumble but God will hold your hand and help you stand up again. Read on:

“In the midst of this turmoil and uncertainty God sent angels along our way. Later, I would realize that angels come in all shapes, sizes and disguises. Through the help and support of these caring individuals and organizations, the mess we were in did not turn into a nightmare. They helped me piece jobs together until something permanent came along. I will always be grateful to them.”

“Life has changed. My current job pays a fraction of what I made earlier, so we are forced to make adjustments in our lifestyle. But we stayed in the same house and remained close to our children to see them grow into adults making life changing decisions. I also avoided the horror stories my former colleagues have endured. I have a respectable job and Debbie, my soul-mate, is still by my side.”

“Now I understand why I never saw the father when I looked back down the street. I realize that the Father had not really deserted me but was sitting on the front porch watching over me and my family and blessing us with the grace only a loving God can give. Grace, you spoke of that Sunday morning.”

“I return the financial help our church sent and pray this gift will go to a family who trusts God more sincerely than I. And I pray they will soon realize that whatever challenge life confronts them with… the Father, our loving God will always be watching over them. Merry Christmas, Terrell”

Thanks Terrell for a great letter. Psalm 37 continues: “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along the path. He will honor you…” (34) Don’t give up… Look up and God will be there.

Do you want to join us in prayer for others? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last modified December 29, 2002.

Would you like to receive your own weekly devotions? Be involved in our prayer chain?