She came running in the door screaming “helllooo… Clyde’s here!” When my 3-year- old granddaughter was born, God whispered to me that He was going to show me wonderful things through her eyes of how much He loves us, and I have learned much so far. The latest lesson left me in tears.
Clyde is Kennady’s one-year-old brother. He came in the middle of the night like a lightning bolt in a driving rainstorm (yes, we have them occasionally in LA) and his dad had to deliver him in the front seat of the car after being unable to make it to the hospital. What’s interesting is that even though Clyde was in a hurry to come out and be seen at birth, he’ an incredibly laid-back kid with a warmth and smile that melts you to the core. However, his big sister is a theatrical firecracker with endless energy and a boisterous personality.
What I find so strikingly beautiful is that Kennady knows she’s loud and that her brother is the quiet type, so she wants you to pay attention that he’s here too. She knows she makes a big loud splash whenever she enters a room because he’s not talking yet, and she wants you to know that he’s just as important and we should take notice of him.
Recently, as I sat thinking about their wonderful personalities, the Lord spoke these thoughts to me and said, “Jesus is like Kennady and the Holy Spirit is like Clyde. “ Jesus came into the world with a loud cry and caused the world to take notice with His teachings, miracles, and death and resurrection. The world was turned upside down. What we forget is that when Jesus ascended back to God the Holy Spirit came to stay. God is saying to us, “helllooo…. My Spirit’s here! I may be quiet but I’m still with you and I am powerful. Pay attention”
Our country has been through some enormous disasters these past few months. Hurricanes, fires, and floods have created death and destruction. Violence seems to be escalating with school shootings, sexual abuse scandals, and police brutality. We might be asking ourselves, “where’s God in the midst of the chaos?” We may choose to run to where we hear the loudest voice for answers, the internet or our favorite social media platform, never thinking that reading our Bible might bring the quiet peace our soul needs. The Holy Spirit speaks to us when we read our Bible and statistics prove that when we spend time consistently in Bible reading fear and anxiety decline by 14% and feelings of discouragement decline by over 30%.
God’s still here and He said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6. God may seem distant but His quiet Spirit is a breath away and all we have to do is scream out His name. He’s advocating for us and ready to bring His warmth and comfort.
When you are in a moment of hopelessness and you want to scream out, remember you can. But not in terror. Scream out in faith “The Holy Spirit’s here!”
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 (NIV)
