I have discovered that when we step into something new we can experience a wide variety of challenges and also some amazing joys. When I first entered into the ministry I started as an Associate Pastor/Youth Director in Dothan, Alabama. I was not really prepared to experience all that God had to show and teach me in my first years of ministry.
I remember when I was making regular hospital visits to a young man that had brain cancer. My heart was very heavy for him because he was married and had two precious children. Day by day he continued to grow weaker and he slowly moved into a coma. I would always, in leaving the hospital room. have prayer for my friend and his family. On one particular day just before he passed away, the family was growing tired and weary and there just was not a lot left to talk about. I turned again to offer a prayer of comfort and surrendered my friend into the hands of Christ. As I said “Amen,” my friend that had been in a coma for about a week turned his head to me and with eyes open shared, “So be it preacher, so be it!” His wife and I were speechless! He then closed his eyes and within the next 24 hours passed away. To a young pastor and to his faithful wife, the presence of Christ became totally real to us in those moments. What a profound assurance came to both of us that this was in deed, a miracle! God had opened the eyes of my friend and confirmed his faith before us. I believe it was God using him to so simply say, “I got this and it is going to be ok!”