It’s overcast today. It kept me in bed longer than I would have liked and since I have a number of errands this morning, a bit worried about when the rain might hit. It has a habit of coming down on me as I peddle around. It does feel good to be home though and reunited with Black Beauty.

I decided to capture more of the sky in today’s picture. Notice the sun trying to break through? There’s a beautiful, light break in the clouds just above the city. It’s beautiful and reminds me of a few verses in John that captured my attention last Friday before I left for Fargo:

‘One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.’ John 5:5-9 NIV

It’s a pretty well-known Biblical story that has taken those who lead churches and write sermons in many directions. What intrigued me was two fold. First, Jesus asked if he wanted to be well. Second, the man never really said, “Yes.” Granted, his “yes” was implied in the years he’d come there and his complaint that no one helped, but he NEVER REALLY said, “yes”, yet he was healed.

God’s healing Power is perfected in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and it further seems it is enabled in my willingness. We all know of people who seems stuck. Heck, I was one of those people—sometimes I still am—who are centered in a pattern of being that is harmful or hurtful, but they cannot seem to break free. There is an unwillingness to submit to something new.

God is always with us, but in our weakness, we must allow Him to help us, to change us, to empower us. He is a good and gracious God, waiting for the opportunity to assist EVEN when our response isn’t quite clear. Even when we muddy the waters with excuses that have kept us stuck in the problem, He will find a crack of willingness to step in with His Powerful Light and assist us. What a mighty and wonderful God He is.

Dearest Heavenly Father (or Mother), you are so Mighty. You are the Creator and the whole world is in your hands, yet you patiently wait until we are ready to accept your healing. Your Power is perfected in my weakness and in my willingness. May I always seek to be guided, nurtured, and healed through your loving hands.

If you’ve got prayer requests, lay them on me. He is there for you!