Gratitude Parade

Ed and Lori bustled on the right side of the aisle, plugging in equipment before ministry in Floral Park. I sat on the left and closed my eyes for a moment, listening to Jesus. Several people slid into the pew behind me, I heard them removing their coats and whispering to each other. I thought, "Their need must be great since they arrived so early."

Later, when speaking to the assembly, I noticed a beautiful teenage girl with an oval face in the second row. Her large brown eyes were troubled. She rested her head on the shoulder of an older woman who stroked the girl's long dark hair in a consoling manner. At the time for personal prayer, they came forward immediately.

The grandmother spoke, "She has cone-rod dystrophy." The grandmother said the girl was going blind. The girl never uttered a word. She sat hunched in a chair, nearly trembling with fear.

To test her vision, I showed her a flyer that was handy. She could read the huge heading, but not the large words. I prayed in the Name of Jesus and His authority and showed her the flyer again. She read the words. The girl and grandma were crying. I prayed again. She read smaller print, eventually reading standard print in a church pamphlet. We all thanked Jesus, testified to what God did, and grandma and the teenager returned to their seats, tears running down their faces.

The Bridge for Peace Team prayed long into the night, many people had come in need of healing. At one point I turned toward the congregation. The church had emptied out as people had received, but the beautiful girl still sat in the second row with three other girls. She approached me. "We were waiting to say 'Thank you.'"

She hugged me and said, "Thank you." I hugged her and replied, "Thank you, Jesus." As each girl stepped out of the pew, we hugged and thanked Jesus. It was a gratitude parade.

Ponder the good things God has done. Gratitude may burst from your lips easily or you might be struggling today. The Holy Spirit is ready to help. Ask the Holy Spirit to jog your memory, reminding you of reasons to be grateful. If you can read this blog, you can begin by thanking God for sight.

Let's have a personal gratitude parade! "Thank you Jesus Christ for eternal life. Thank you for your healing grace. Thank you Jesus for love!" Tell someone what God has done for you!