Hosanna Restoration Church

Twenty-five years ago when I first began to know the Lord, I was just very thankful to have found something I did not know I was looking for. I had no idea I was in need until the need was filled and wow, it felt good. I did not understand it, but I knew I needed whatever it was, and the source seemed to be Jesus!

I did not realize that this was the beginning of a love affair. I looked at it as more of a rescue. When peculiar songs began to flow out of me revealing things that I really had little understanding of, that too was a bit perplexing. When some suggested that I had a gift as a psalmist, I really did not know what a gift or a psalmist was. I knew David was called a psalmist, but he was in the Bible!

As time passed I gained some understanding of Christian terms and also moved into the relationship from the rescue. God enabled me to stand in the midst of things when I really had no natural understanding. I was especially blessed that my wife and I were traveling the path simultaneously, or it would have been a really wild ride.

In 1987, our son Michael was born with Down syndrome. That was an amazing event. The love that poured out of heaven in the delivery room was truly beyond anything I have ever experienced, and to this day I often draw on that moment in time. In fact, it may well be that over 20 years later I am really beginning to understand it.

Two years later, our son Josiah was born in Watson Lake of the Yukon Territory. He was born early and passed away in my arms. It was a surreal time when the peace of God and the love of God blanketed us in a way that I have never really been able to adequately describe. Vikki had gone into labor and then the labor stopped. We were certain that our prayers had been answered and we were going to head home. I left the hospital confident that all was well, only to be awakened by the Mounted Police telling me I should come with them to the hospital. When I arrived I heard the rest of the story and we prepared to have this baby. I was certain all would go fine, but it did not go according to my plans.

I returned to the campground where we were staying to tell the family and then headed back to the hospital. As I crossed a playground, the song “To God be the glory” burst forth from my heart and I sang and then wondered where that came from. I know now that this was God enabling me to stand when I could never stand.

You see, loving God allows us to stand in His love. Loving Him enables us to tap into all that He has provided for us. It causes us to love the truth and He is the truth. It causes us to love His ways and empowers us to enjoy His life. When everything else seems to be falling down around us love will keep us standing, but we do not have to wait for those times to enjoy the multiple benefits of loving God.