The ushers move with precision to usher the stragglers to their places and the children are being met and instructed as to where they need to go. The Elders and the Deacons stand and watch with watchful eye. I wonder if they see the things I see.
For there on the aisle in the second row she stands smiling. I know what she has been through as the Holy Spirit shows me a glimpse of a scene where she stands cowering as her former husband stands over her screaming with fists raised.
And there on the fifth row is a man whose nightly fear causes him to vomit as he knows he is about to lose his job and he doesn't know exactly what to do and he doesn't know who to turn to. He certainly cannot tell his wife.
There, towards the back is a young couple who have been run out of church after church because their first child was born before they were married and as they have fought for their relationship they have found no help from the church.
So with wary eyes, they return my gaze. And I look away singing praises.
Earlier that morning as I prayed for the people that God sends to my church, I saw things. I saw tears of joy and triumph that will come in the days ahead, but as I watched the tears drop from lash to cheek to chin, I began to see the resolve and the beauty in the person that I saw.
The familiar Voice spoke once again, "They are my overcomers. They are the gifted ones. They are the ones I send to you to exhort and to train. Treat them with care, with prayer and set standards based firmly on my Word.
"Refuse to see them through the eyes of weakness and despair. They are the favored ones, the ones that hear my voice. They know instinctively where to turn when trouble comes. And when they turn to me.... Be there and be ready."
And I sing praises. For He is good, all the time.
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