God lives and works today.
He shows himself as a father who loves
his children.
A good father, however, doesn't spare any pains
that something might become of his child.
Today's meditation, a testimony from the life of
Basileus Schlenk, will tell us what God has
on his heart for each one of us,
for he loves us as no earthly father
ever can.
Meditation Every parent and teacher knows how much
effort and pain is involved in bringing up
children.
I think about the many spiritual daughters Mother
Materi and I have to bring up.
With some it is easier, with others harder,
and with some it costs much effort and
many tears.
But when God our Father brings us up,
he plans for each one of us quite
personally how he will train and educate us,
so that one day we will become something
good and beautiful.
I could share with you many examples from
my life, but perhaps I will tell you
just one story, about a friend of mine.
I remember a friend whom I told about
Jesus again and again, but she never responded.
Later she told me, You know, when you
used to tell me about Jesus and how
I should give my life over to him,
there was always one thought in my heart,
the Lord Jesus might take away my husband.
Her husband was her entire happiness, and that
was why she didn't want to surrender her
life to Jesus.
But what did the Heavenly Father do, who
loved my friend and wanted to bring her
up as a good father would, preparing her
for heaven and an eternal goal?
Her husband was taken away from her in
an instant through a car accident.
In her great despair and sadness, she came
to visit me, and she found Jesus, giving
him her entire life.
Now she witnesses to everyone, I've become the
happiest person there is, yes, a thousand times
happier than before, when I still had my
husband.
Isn't that the incomprehensible love of the Heavenly
Father?
He knew that taking away his child's husband
was the only way to help her to
find the great, true happiness of her life.
Let's thank God in this hour for all
the ways in which he disciplines and teaches
us, saying, My Father, I thank you that
you chasten me, for in this way you
show your greatest love for me.
Father, I thank you for guiding my way.
Father, I thank you for care every day.
Father, I thank you for all I can
see.
Father, I thank you for thinking of me.
Father, your goodness fills each of your deeds.
Father, your chastening is what my soul needs.
Ways full of suffering, pain and distress, these
are sure, Father, my pathway to bliss.
I will abide by whatever you do, dying
and suffering, accepting anew.
I kiss the hand that is chastening me,
for it is training and healing I see.
That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North
40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099.
God bless you.