Sue Jacob

Extend Grace

I announced in the Ministry Team meeting that my husband and I were going to Las Vegas to celebrate our anniversary. When most people think of Vegas – they think of gambling and all the other wild activities. I explained that my husband and I are national park type people, and our purpose was to see Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Death Valley National Park, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon and Lake Havasu – with Vegas being a central location to see God’s beautiful creation.

As I was cleaning out old boxes in our storeroom, I stumbled across some old VHS tapes. One tape was of me riding the Ejection Seat at the Minnesota State Fair back in the early-1990s, the year the ride first opened. Did you ever go on that insane ride?

Have you ever needed encouragement from God? I have, on many an occasion. The most recent encouragement was in the form of a precious, heart-shaped cloud. A few months ago, the exhaustion, isolation and uncertainty of 2020 caught up with me. Generally, I am an optimistic, encouraging person who often thinks such things as “together we can do this; be hopeful; this too shall pass; and God will work everything out.” But my tank was empty. In late-August I hit a wall. I was exhausted. I missed seeing people unmasked, face-to-face. The constant fear projected by the news media was unhealthy. Medical and financial concerns loomed. It all added up and I was an emotional mess. I needed to be filled with God’s love.

One night, as I checked on my sleeping preschooler before going to bed, out of nowhere – a vision of her almost being hit by a car popped into my mind. I was scared to death. It felt so real. I started praying immediately, begging God to protect her and save her life. I covered her in prayer, from head to toe. My prayers went on for nearly a half hour until I felt at peace and was able to go to sleep. Have you ever had a similar experience? How did you react?