Trisha Harvey shares with us fortnightly about the stones she’s collected in her Christian journey.
Welcome dear reader
We sometimes feel that God has forgotten us, or isn’t listening. We want our circumstances to change because they are difficult to cope with. Our early days are full of wonder and miracles. Yet the going certainly gets tough and we don’t feel tough even to get going! Let me encourage you.
It wasn’t long after I became Father’s child when He brought me to a serious time of testing. It should not have surprised me for He does this with all His children.
When word got out our street had a ‘Holy Joe’ living near them, the persecution started. Rubbish was thrown in the garden, windows were broken; dog mess thrown at the door, scratches of hate on our car. Our boys were excluded from games others were playing – all this because I followed Jesus. My confidence in God suffered. I hated it and I wanted to move immediately! I felt He had abandoned me to my lot in life.
The local Church of England where I attended and of which its vicar did not believe the Holy Spirit worked in power and miracles was of little help. I decided to go elsewhere where nobody knew me. I went into Norwich and stood on the steps of the Assembly of God church. Their service had already begun and I hesitated before stepping inside.
A man’s loud voice spoke in tongues. God had my attention. A woman gave this interpretation:
“Beloved daughter, I hear your cries and see your heart. I will make a way on the stony and crooked ground, for I have a plan for you. I know you want to move from where you are but trust me, until the last home where you live has heard your testimony, you will remain. I will show you my greatness and love. So lay down your rebellious will and trust me; for these things will happen.”
My knees buckled and I fell down. There on the floor through tears of repentance I knew I had heard Father and His love swept over me. I prayed something like: “I lay down my will for yours Lord, for I do love you and you know this. You have the right to choose for me anything that you please. I belong to you and even if things go on as they have, I will still love you. I will do as you ask and trust you for the outcome”.
Over the next three months, one by one, neighbours either came to our house, or spoke in the street, each with deep needs. I was able to tell them what my Lord had done for me. People were hungry to know more. Among which a woman who read tarot cards gave her life to Jesus and was healed of an unsightly birth mark. She burnt everything of the occult. An almost dead dog was healed. What an amazing God!
The difficult circumstances you are going through right now are being allowed because it’s the Lord’s way of refining you and your faith. It’s not a test to see that you fail it’s a refining so that you grow and become stronger in His ways. As you seek to know the Lord intimately with all your heart, mind and soul – He WILL speak to you in ways which will astound you.
Do you wait until circumstances are difficult before you speak to Father, or do you go to Him at the start of every day, giving it into His hands? He calls you to walk with Him along the craggy, stony paths of life, so that He can show you His wonders to perform.
After the last house received my testimony I found this stone on a beach – just before we moved. See how its white lines flow through the ragged, gnarled surface. It looks like a mountain with tracks which deer walk on. “GOD, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, He makes me tread upon my high places”. Habakkuk 3v19.
God bless you.
Trisha
Prayer
Father God, forgive me for the times I do not trust you, or listen to you. I want to know you more with all my heart, mind and soul. You know me well, better than I know myself. Please show me Your ways and speak into my life. For I believe you hear me and will answer when I call. In Jesus name, Amen.
