As I was preparing my sermon for Mother’s Day, May 9th this year, I received the song list from my worship leader, Kathy. Attached was a note saying, “If you’re not comfortable with the first song because of the date this weekend, I’ll sure understand. But I really believe God picked this song.”
When I read her note, I was completely at a loss as to what date she was talking about—but then, it hit me—it would be my wedding anniversary! But, since my husband had moved on to heaven 8 years ago, I told her it wasn’t a problem and to go ahead with the song list.
But, as soon as I sent off my reply, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the significance of the song Kathy had asked about. I remembered that it was my husband’s favorite song— “Shine Jesus Shine.” As Bob and I faced the darkest days of our lives, we played this song over and over and over. With the trial looming before us, neither of us knew what life might look like when we came out the other side. We didn’t want to talk about it. There was nothing to say. Instead, we just played that song over and over.
Exactly what was God saying? I found it so interesting that He lead me to numbers, not the book in the Bible, just numbers. At first, I started thinking it was the number 8, because that was our anniversary—but no, that wasn’t it. He was talking about the number 9, and then the number 30. He showed me that the numbers 9 and 30 were intertwined throughout our marriage and even before we met. My husband enlisted in the military on Mother’s Day, he opened his first business on Mother’s Day, and then we were married on Mother’s Day. 3+3+3=9 –and, of course, the message I was preparing was for Mother’s Day, Sunday the 9th.
So here’s what I received. One of the meanings of 9 is beginning of a new era. This month I will be starting my 9th year without my husband. And then part of the meaning of 30 is that it symbolizes dedication to a particular task or calling. Interesting because I am slowly transitioning out of the role of Senior Pastor and moving into this new ministry.
As I was reflecting on all that the Lord has brought my husband and I through, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the faithfulness of God. We were so broken, and so beyond dreaming of a future. Would we even see each other again? To be honest, we weren’t even sure we would live through it.
On Oct. 30, 1991 I received a letter from Pastor Gail Kamakahi and she gave me Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…” Then she added, “His name is Jesus.” But, at that moment, with an uncertain future before me, I couldn’t believe or even imagine that the Scripture she sent could possibly apply to my life.
It wasn’t until many years later that I could look back and say that is exactly what He did in our lives—more than we ever hoped for or imagined.
Today, God chose to use numbers to speak to me and to bless me. I could so easily have missed that blessing. But through it all, He reminded me how He has been involved in our lives even before we knew Him. He was with us in the midst of the messes we made—not just little stuff, but the big life-changing messes. He turned them all around. Thank you Jesus.
Looking back over the last 33 years of my life serving God, (the irony of that number was not lost on me either) I am amazed at how He restored my life. That song— “Shine Jesus Shine”—says, “Mirrored here, may our lives tell a story.” Yes Lord. My prayer is that He truly is shining through my life.
I’ll close with this thought. As God moves me into this new ministry, my hope is that, as I share all that God has brought me though, it will give you hope and confidence that He will do the same for you.
