Remembering
By Caron Cline
Burke County
Happy New Year! Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I never considered that I would be living in 2025. The 21st century seemed light years away. The new year is always an opportunity for a fresh start; a time to look forward and not backward. 2025 will probably include joy, sadness, abundance, loss, challenges, and unexpected events.
However, when difficult circumstances knock at our door, remembering the past goodness of the Lord will supply the strength needed to survive. In 2000, I decided to resign from a lucrative position to further my education. Although the decision was difficult, I was convinced it was prompted by the Lord. The pay decrease was substantial, leaving me on a very tight budget. Despite the lower rate of pay, I remained faithful in my tithing to the church and never lacked for my basic needs. If financial challenges come unexpectedly in 2025,
I will remember what happened in 2000 and stand on the promise that the Lord will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He was my provider in the past and He will be my provider in the future. In 2012, I began to have substantial stomach issues which resulted in a variety of medical tests. During an ultrasound of my gallbladder, a mass on my left kidney was detected. My doctor immediately ordered a CT scan of the area. Before that scan, several different groups of believers on several different occasions laid hands on me and prayed for healing.
This was a stressful time for me, to say the least, yet I knew that God was completely sovereign and that His will would be done. After having the test, I returned to the doctor for the results. The mass had disappeared! If physical challenges come unexpectedly in 2025, I will remember what happened in 2012 and stand on the promise that God is my healer. By His wounds, I am healed! In 2022, my mother became very ill. She had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2021 but seemed stable until January 2022. By the end of February, she was on full oxygen and basically incapacitated. Watching her slowly fade away was very difficult, but throughout her illness, the Lord continually provided peace.
On the morning of October 26th, 2022, I was awakened from a dead sleep at 4:00 am, convinced I had heard my mom call my name. I immediately walked toward her bed but realized that she appeared to be sleeping soundly. Thinking I must have been dreaming, I returned to bed. However, instead of falling asleep, I felt the presence of the Lord. I began to pray and sensed that His Spirit was telling me that she would be leaving us that day. Though heartbroken, I felt a release and an unexplainable peace. About an hour later, I heard her voice and once again, went to check on her. She was struggling a bit but very coherent, however, within about 15 minutes, she was released from a body of death and ushered into the presence of the Lord. I understood the grace of God as never before!
If loss comes unexpectedly in 2025, I will remember what happened in 2022 and stand on the promise that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. In this new year, remember the past goodness of God and stand in confidence in His future goodness. He who has promised is faithful, and He will do it!
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
You can read more Christian News from Caron HERE.
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