Seasons of Service Fear of Man
God has such a funny sense of humor, wouldn’t you agree? He lays someone or something on your heart to pray for and then He asks you to be a part of the answer to that prayer. I have to agree with the saying, “That prayer doesn’t change things, rather prayer changes us.”
On this particular day in June, not long after my prayer request that God return the mother of my youth and free her from the bondage of addiction that God used my early morning devotional time to give me a message from His Word for my mother. As instrumental as God can be it was through a series of events that He led me on that day on a drive to one of the local casino’s in search of my mother. A search that I feared but in complete and utter conviction obeyed.
Fear of Man
Not long into my travels I received a phone call from my sister asking me what I was doing. By the grace of God she and my niece volunteered to go to the casino with me. Little did I know or think about the fact that I had my 4 year old special needs son in the car with me and there was no way I could have taken him into the Casino. So, when we arrived I was able to leave him with my sister and niece in the car, while I pursued the mission God had for me that day.
After lifting up the situation in prayer with my sister and niece, I stepped out of the car leaving behind my special needs son in order to accomplish my God-given mission for that day. With my backpack purse secure on my shoulders and my Daily Light Devotional held in hand, I set out hoping to find my beloved mother and share the words of God in it.
Soon after entering the casino, two men approached me as I came upon an exit. One was coming crouched down with a look like he was about to grab my backpack and run and the other was there for what seemed like back up. Immediately, I sensed something was about to go wrong and I threw my back towards the wall and they fled!
After regathering my composure and thanking God for His safety, He enabled me to continue to forge forward and pick up the mission He had set me on that day.
So I continued walking each isle and looking at each individual, who was found to be intensely concentrating on their machine, my mother was no where to be found. Without any success, I returned to the car and told my sister what almost took place. She looked at me and laughed. She said, “Terri, what did you think was going to happen? You are walking through a casino with a Bible in your hand and the gates of hell are shaking.” Really? It wasn’t a Bible it was a little devotional by Anne Graham Lotz that held the Word of God, but the thought did make me laugh!
It was extremely hot and we decided to drive around and see if we could find her car, to no avail. Then my sister encouraged me to check the valet, since our mother had some physical limitations. Sure enough, there was her old beat up, uncared for car parked in the valet.
Once again, I set out to find her and ready to give up, I made one phone call to my brother who said I might find her at the Keno.
Facing Your Fears
BINGO, as I turned the corner there she stood. I walked up and stood beside her and said hello. As she looked over her shoulder and saw me, she wanted to know what I was doing there. I slipped my hand into her pocket where her hand was. With all the clam and composure I could muster up, I responded that I had come to tell her that I loved her.
I could see that her heart was about to beat out of her chest, yet she remained calm and responded, “It doesn’t feel like it.”
To which I responded, “I know it probably doesn’t feel like it, but it’s true. Mom, we all love you.”
She then invited me to sit down. We chatted for a little bit and I tried to share the message God have given me, but she refused to hear it.
She said, “If it’s not good news I don’t want to her it.” Though I knew it was the hard truth that could be good news if she received it, much to my disappointment she refused.
Not too long into the conversation, I shared with her that my sister and niece were in the car with Matthew and that I needed to go.
Yet, before I left she asked me for two things, one was for money because she had no gas. The other request was not to tell my brother because he would be upset. In response to her request, we walked out of the casino together and I followed her to the gas station. I put gas in her car and after a short visit with my sister, niece and seeing Matthew who were all in the car, we parted ways.
Not the ending I had hoped for, but God was not yet done!
Where is it that God is calling you to step out in obedience? Won’t you step out in faith and trust knowing that God is up to something. Let God replace your fear with faith and trust that His love is greater than our fear. He never calls us to something He won’t equip us for. If God is for you, no one can be against you!”
One of my most recent prayers is that my faith in God be greater than my fear of man.
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach