The Favor of God

The events in my life between Dec. 30, 2019 and January 2, 2020 are forever etched in my mind. There was bleeding, trauma, ambulance, hospital, surgery and extreme fatigue, but looking back over that time period, what overwhelms me is THE FAVOR OF GOD!

Just prior to Dec. 30th I went shopping with a dear friend to find some fabric to cover my dining room chairs. They were having a big 50% off sale. I spotted the fabric that I knew I would love and took it to the check-out counter, only to learn that THIS fabric was not included in the sale.  I gave the clerk a sad smile and said, "Well, okay. That's too bad." And immediately she replied, "No, that's OK. We'll give you the discount anyway!"  I was amazed. That doesn't happen a lot.  But it started happening to me all over the place that week, and I could not escape the feeling that the Lord was just POURING His favor out on me. "Why?" I wondered. That still, small voice whispered, "No reason, except that I love you!"

On the afternoon of Dec. 30th, feeling very fatigued, I went to our local Recreation Center to use what I thought was our last pass, so I could sit in the hot pool and relax my muscles before going for a massage. I put the pass card next to the scanner and it made an angry buzz. The desk clerk ran over, checked her computer and said, "I'm sorry. Your pass is expired. You don't have any more."  The sad smile emerged again on my weary face. "Well okay. That's too bad."  Immediately the clerk brightened. "It's all right, you can go back this time without paying."  I spoke a blessing over her and gratefully went to the hot pool.

From there I proceeded to the massage clinic. I hadn't had one for many months and I had spasms in my back.  The therapist was very caring.  We talked about dementia and what I have been doing to care for my husband. Toward the end of my hour, she suddenly disappeared and then reappeared with about a dozen bottles of essential oils on a tray.  I know they call this treatment "Raindrop Therapy" and I know it is incredibly effective in relaxing and rejuvenating the body, but also incredibly expensive! As she proceeded to massage the oils into my tightly locked muscles, I thanked her for blessing me but hoped I could afford the price.  When she finished, I dressed and went to check out at the front, and she gave me the total. "$55.00."  I was astonished. "But Shirley," I protested, "your massage charge is $60 and the Raindrop Therapy....  My voice trailed off as she touched my shoulder and said, "No charge for that. Just wanted to bless you."

Little could I know that all this outpouring of God's favor on me was to prepare and steady me for what I was about to go through. Just five hours later, my husband and I climbed into bed for a good night's sleep and he awoke about 30 minutes after that, shivering with cold, and then throwing off the covers, saying he was burning up!  He stepped out of bed and lost all consciousness, hitting the hardwood floor on his face.  I ran over to him and turned his clammy body over, only to see a face covered in blood! 

Paramedics arrived so very quickly and by then John was writhing in intense pain on our bedroom floor, with cuts on his face. They transported him immediately to the hospital E.R. and once admitted to the hospital on Dec. 31, we found he had not one but FOUR top physicians and surgeons conferring on his case!  They determined that he needed to have his gallbladder removed, but this amazing team of doctors took more time to make good decisions to keep John safe, given his cardiac history, and the brain injury from the fall.  We were told that his blood was already somewhat septic and it would not have taken much longer to kill him if the gallbladder did not come out.

On January 1 - New Year's Day - a major holiday,  the doctors met again and then took John into surgery.  One of the doctors even came back in from his holiday vacation.  How often does that happen? While he was being operated on, his life being gloriously saved once again, I became utterly overwhelmed at GOD'S FAVOR over us.  The hot soak and the massage had all happened just hours before John was taken away in an ambulance. Coincidence? Or a Mighty, loving God who prepared me for all this with soothing, healing treatments?  My spirit soared to think how OUR GOD GOES BEFORE US.  

For the 6th time in almost 9 years of marriage, the Lord delivered my husband from death's door back to me and we drove home together on January 2. Since then I have spent time studying the Scriptures on the word "favor." Below is what I found. I wanted to share it with you - in the hopes that after reading my story and these words from other people touched by God's favor, you would share with me in the overwhelming goodness and lovingkindness of our Father who grants favor not because of who we are - but because of WHO HE IS!

Genesis 4:4:  The LORD looked with FAVOR on Abel and his offering.
Genesis 6:8: Noah found FAVOR in the eyes of the LORD.
Gen. 19:19: Your servant has found FAVOR in your eyes and You have shown great kindness to me
                            in sparing my life.
Gen. 39:21:  The LORD was with Joseph. He showed him kindness and granted him FAVOR in the
                             eyes of the prison warden.
Ex. 3:21:  And I will make the Egyptians FAVORABLY disposed toward this people so that when you
                             leave you will not go empty-handed.
Ex. 33:13:  If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue
                            to find favor with you.

All these Scriptures resonate with me. But the last one will be my constant prayer!