God refused her request
by adustyframe ~ June 18th, 2007Today on Haven, the program was on Ruth Bell Graham. I did not really know much about her. I do admire how she supported her husband’s ministry.
They shared some talks she gave to women. One thing she said gave me chills.
She was talking about St Augustine (whom I also don’t know much about!). He wanted to go to Rome. His mother didn’t want him to go.
He went anyway. I think the story was to illustrate that his mother prayed but God didn’t move in the way she wished although he used her son to serve.
He said something like this,
“God refused her request in order to give her the desire of her heart.”
My heart’s desire was for God to give me a godly husband that truly desired to serve him.
My heart’s desire was that God would keep our family together.
My heart’s desire was that God would take the sin out of my husband’s life.
My request was that we wouldn’t have to go through this.
God refused my request in order to give me the desire of my heart.
Isn’t God so good that he knows what we need. Even if it’s not something we want?
June 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
yes
June 18th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
awesome post!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this quote with us!!!
June 18th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Wow!
I have to ruminate
June 18th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
As I was praying for my kids the other day, asking for them to develop Godly characteristics, I considered that I could be asking for trial and tribulation as those are the times when proven character is really developed. We’ve avoided anything major so far, and when I hear of families losing children, or kids with cancer, or moms with cancer, I sometimes wonder why we have not had to face anything of the sort. Not that I want to experience it, but there is amazing growth that happens in such times, as your family’s trial has illustrated. I am thankful for the lack of tribulation, but when those in the midst of it get such a clear picture of what it is accomplishing in and through them and their loved ones, they are wise to thank God for the trial. As Betsy told Corrie Ten Boom, “Thank God for the fleas.” Little did she know their presence was keeping the Nazi guards from disrupting their Bible study! God uses fleas and all sorts of other nasty things to conform us into the image of His Son. Whatever comes into our lives is sifted through His loving hands and is intended for our good and His glory.
Continuing to pray for all of you. It’s not ever easy, even when it’s for our own good.
Love in Him,
Angel
P.S. I just did a post on Ruth. She wrote a lovely book entitled Footprints of a Pilgrim which has been such a blessing to me. See if you can find it.
June 19th, 2007 at 7:00 am
He refuses and grants as seems best to Him….and we know He knows best.I am so glad that we do not know in advance what circumstances life will bring to us or the way in which the Lord will deal with us- I don’t think we would step a foot forward if we did. Yet He always deals so graciously….and I pray that you will get your hearts desire and know the answered request of a united family.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:54 am
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June 19th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Wonderful. I linked to this post from my blog.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:58 am
So true. I have gradually worked to this same place in relation to the baby I miscarried. It’s not what I wanted, but I can gradually see the blessings that will come from it. God knows best.
Best wishes to you.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
How true. It’s amazing the plan that God has for our lives if we just surrender to Him. He knows how to take us through the fire so we emerge purified and sanctified. I’m thankful that my family has yet to see true trials or tribulations, but I know that sometimes they are the only way for God to fulfill His plan in us.
Have you read “The Atonement Child” by Francine Rivers? It’s incredible and speaks to this very subject.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:13 pm
This was beautiful. I watched a documentary of Billy Graham. I had always heard about this man that was so on fire for God and is doing so many great things for Gods kingdom that I wanted to learn more about him. His family grew up farmers but Billy wasn’t much into it as a child. His family members couldn’t figure out why until many years later when they realized that God had other plans for him. He later married and had children but I remember when watching this, I in a way felt sorry for his children and Ruth because they didn’t get so see Billy much. He was always on the road and gone doing things for Gods kingdom. He was gone most of the year. I had to sit and think about it a bit to accept the truth that maybe even Ruth might have a hard time with it at times. But something bigger and better was happening. Being a woman of Christ as Ruth was, she may have not been pleased with the situation but her desires to have a husband loving Christ and people enough to do what he did was granted. She was refused in some areas but granted in others. God is good!
June 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Wow. Chills.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
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