PPT- I Saw The Hand of God…….

This is Kathryn. I actually watched this child come into the world. She grew to about 9 and her family completely fell apart. Her father is an alcoholic, diabetic with high blood pressure, giant of a Swedish man. He loved her. During the time she was growing, he was drunk, abusive and mean. Her mother left and took her to Southern California and stayed there for the next 10 years. There was no communication with this father at all. She graduated high school on her own, did all the things that a kid does. Still no communication. Her mother moved back to Auburn when she was 17, she stayed worked and met Joey. That was God’s blessing. They moved up to Auburn and got married in April and have become an important part of our family. We are Aunt and Uncle. Mike led Joey to the Lord. Phil married them and all….

Okay, yesterday….WOW. We were called and told that her father was in the hospital. Just last week, after thinking about Phil’ sermon, and about forgiveness, she told Mike and I that she had forgiven her dad. Mike called her and told her that her Dad was in the hospital and this could be the perfect time to see him. We had spoken previously about it, because he is so sick, that she should ..on her own terms..see him. She was ready..we picked up Joey and Kathryn and went to the hospital. She was nervous, but strong. Mike went in first, say hello and then I came in. I told him that Kathryn was there. I watched, this married woman, first turn into a scared and then angry little girl. He called her a nickname that only he had for her. Her eyes glazed over and she didn’t even blink…the anger returned and she bolted. Out of the room and she burst into tears with her husband. She reentered the room, stood about 6 feet from him. He tried to small talk . She looked at him and said, “this is my husband”. They did all the niceties and then she was silent. She told him that she had forgiven him, he said that was nice and good. Then she wanted to know more…Why? How could you? I am your daughter…etc. That anger burning….She told him she never wanted to see him again, she was trying to get a reaction out of him. There was no emotion from this man at all. She wanted a reaction and fought for it. Then the hand of God moved. She realized and voiced, she was sorry, it was her fault to expect anything from him. She went in with guns blazing, expecting an emotional response. There was none. She instead, with the Lord’s kindness, retreated and apologized to this man for expecting him to be what she wanted him to be. She told him she realized it was a disease. He admitted stupidity and she still was calm. In the mirror, I could see her countenance change on her face. She was level headed and strong. The strength of the Lord answering her silent prayer as she stood there. At the end of the “visit”, she turned to say goodbye and then, out of the blue….she said “can we pray?” There she stood, alone, (we all went into the hallway) praying with her father she had not see in 10 years, asking God for His guidance, for forgiveness and His direction. We all cried.

God is a God of kindness. He only asks that we LOVE Him. TRUST Him and OBEY. Kathryn knew Who her true Father was and is. She trusted Him in a very hurtful situation. He came through for her, as always.