An Instance Of Grace

by in Christianity, poetry and tagged ,


*

How does the Holy Spirit feel to our 5 bodily senses
when it co-mingles with our human spirit?

Our hearts are heavy – there is much suffering
we feel the pressure of unseen gravitational forces
bearing down on us – pushing us against the solid earth.

When the Holy Spirit invades
one’s physical and mental presence,
one begins to think one must be levitating.
The weight of doubt is so heavy…
and one doesn’t even know how heavy,
until one feels the weight drop in an instant.

*

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40 thoughts on “An Instance Of Grace”

  3. My testimony of faith – it was truly a Godsend:

    In the first place, I don’t believe we’re ever alone. I’m a believer, yes, but I haven’t always been this way. At the age of 14, I made a conscious decision to leave the church, and to put all that fairy tale stuff behind me. Some folks might say I was lost. 26 years later, I gained through an unforgettable experience when my grandmother passed over in the year of our Lord, 1998. I dearly loved my grandmother, and I was feeling the pangs of regret and remorse as I made my way alone in the car to my parent’s house. It was the day following the end of her life on this earth. Still in the stage of denial, I had yet to allow myself to breakdown and mourn, but I surely knew the time would come when I would fall apart and shed many a tear.

    I’d been thinking about her unfailing faith and her deep love of God. For me, she seemed to be the ideal model of a Christian. She lived it. And so it was then, at that point, that I turned my thoughts towards the heavens. I asked the Lord a question, and I hadn’t done that for years. I thought, “If anyone deserves to make it to Heaven, it should be Grandma!” So I asked a simple question. “Did she make it or not?” What happened immediately after that is hard to explain, but it was a very physical feeling of, “Yes! She’s okay!” Swear to God, after I felt that answer, I could have been levitating. The burden of disbelief was lifted from me and I felt 500 pounds lighter. No kidding! I was stunned, crying and smiling bigger than ever driving along in my car in Sedalia, Missouri. I had to pull over for awhile and gather my wits. I was so relieved. What need was there to mourn? I had no more doubt! When I finally pulled myself back together, I headed out and turned the radio on. “Jesus is just alright with me. Jesus is just alright…” was playing (Doobie Bros.) I practically broke out in laughter! Hearing that song at that particular moment extinguished any final doubt about who it was that just visited me. That experience was what got me started. I read a hundred books, and now I’m writing. No need to wonder why. I’ve kept this story to myself for the most part. Maybe someday, I’ll have to be a little more explicit and put it all down in dramatic fashion. Just because that’s what I do. I don’t do it to make a living, I do it to live a life worth telling.

  8. ”My testimony of faith – it was truly a Godsend”:

    Wow! Pretty strong testimony.

    Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened to you.

  9. Hello, John. 🙂

    I was hoping you might have a clue as to what exactly happened to me that day, or who it might have been that visited me, or what kind of law allowed the doubt that was chained to my brain to be released – was it only an inside job? What chemical reactions occurred at the time that made me feel as if I’d been freed of my skepticism, which surely caused my blood pressure to plummet to a level that was much more safe for my heart of hearts?

    Answers always bring their own set of questions. No doubt.

    May God continue to bless you, your questions, and your search for the Truth! There are a whole bunch of doors we’ve yet to find.

    Sin-seer-ly, your truly imaginary friend, Uncle Tree

  12. Trying to explain “what happened” when you had your experience, in my opinion, somehow diminishes what happened. I discovered some time ago that trying to explain the workings of God is a futile endeavor. There was a deep-seated willingness to believe, or more correctly, a yearning for God’s presence. I have a feeling that your conversion of heart was your grandmother’s final gift to you. It was the result of her appealing directly to God on your behalf. How God accomplished that change of heart is the mystery and great gift of His grace.

  13. Hello, sir! 🙂 Nice to meet you! And,
    thank you for contributing, and chiming in
    with your very plausible opinion. God bless you!

    My Grandma Dot had an undying faith,
    and her devotion to God was second to none,
    in my humble opinion. Grace can be quite magical.

    I completely understand your sentiment.
    When the spiritual reality blends itself in with
    this material world, change is bound to take place.

    Merry Christmas! May peace and joy
    continue to enliven your experience
    of the Divine – within and without.

    Truly, Uncle Tree

  14. Thanks for visiting my blog and for the Like. They should have a “Love” as well as just a “Like” button. I Love “Instance of Grace” . I will be reading more of your writings. Merry Christmas!
    – Frank
    Prov. 3:5-6; Acts 4:12

  16. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful testimony! I think each person’s story of faith is one of their greatest gifts to give to others, and you gave it! I hope someday you do write it out fully, I would so love to read it.
    Also, this poem is a lovely illustration of grace in suffering, thank you!

  17. When dealing with outrageous and inexplicable experiences,
    our souls come to find that there is more to life
    than just those things that merely meet the eyes.

    To feel whole, accepted, and at home with one’s self,
    with the world, and with God – is to feel as if the circle
    has been completed, and one has found the center.
    But one is not alone, no. One is in good company!

    “For goodness sakes!” as my grandma was fond of saying.

    Thank you dearly, Susan, for giving me the time of day! 🙂

  18. We’ve heard Lennon sing the story of Instant Karma.
    Well, I have something to say about Instant Salvation:

    The wood has to warm before the timber catches fire.

  22. ‘Tis always good to see you, Mariana.
    I’m glad you somewhat understand my story,
    which is much more than a story to me. It’s my truth!
    I am the only one who has to live with this illogical experience.
    Soon after, I began my quest for earthly knowledge.
    Little did I know…there was to be no end to it.
    Wish you the best in 2012, sweet niece!

  23. If it wasn’t the Holy Spirit who touched me, or cleansed me, perhaps it was an angel. You see, I found this article by researching the wordpress tag – Saint Michael. This was under that heading. Here is an excerpt, which gives me a different possibility for interpreting the cause of my experience.

    *

    In the case of wings, they represent a state of Divine grace; an angel’s transcendent versatility that allows them to pick and choose which physical laws they abide by in our world. The wings also serve as a sort of communicative ability of angels. When angels touch the tips of their wings together, their power is pooled and they come together to form a single front, as with the Erelim forming their unbreakable unit. And with angels such as Cherubim, as in Ezekiel and the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant, touching the tips of their wings unleashes a power strong enough to rip through the veil between earth and the Throne to open up a direct channel to God.

    http://diabolicalconfusions.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/the-history-of-demons-an-explanation-of-the-war-in-heaven-and-the-fall-of-lucifer-as-explained-to-a-child/

  24. An Instance Of Grace: Part 2

    After reading this funny little story yesterday, I got in the bathtub.

    *
    A religious man is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says, “Get in, get in!” The religous man replies, ” No, I have faith in God. He will grant me a miracle.”

    Later the water is up to his waist, and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in. Again he responds that he has faith in God, and God will give him a miracle. With the water at about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again because “God will grant him a miracle.”

    With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get on. Mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help for the faith of God. Next thing he knows, he arrives at the gates of Heaven with broken faith and says to Peter, “I thought God would grand me a miracle and I have been let down.” St. Peter chuckles and responds, “I don’t know what you’re complaining about, we sent you three boats and a helicopter.” 🙂

    *
    So there I was in the bathtub, wondering if I’d been missing any obvious minor miracles lately. Now I usually listen to classical music on a regular old radio I keep in the bathroom (not by the tub, no), but yesterday I turned it to a local classic rock station. It was 12 o’clock at the time, so several commercials played on without me paying them any attention. I was busy mulling over my current set of circumstances, and some of the things I’ve been praying for lately.

    Then I remembered how, in the past, when I’d been in a quite depressive mood where concerns my love life, there were times when it seemed like every song was being sung to me directly, and as such, every singer was plucking my heart strings to tears. So I thought, “Well! Let’s give a listen right now, and see if God is attempting to get some message across to me via the air waves.” At that time, the band – Boston – was playing “Peace Of Mind”. “Fair enough,” I thought, because I have been under stress lately. So I laid back in the tub and relaxed. Care to guess what the next song was? (If you haven’t read my testimony concerning my instance of grace, it’s the fifth comment down from the top.)

    So, yes. Yes, it was that song again. My friend is alright with me. Amen

  25. Your tree is beautiful! I had to giggle when I read that “for once it looks in person like it looks in your head”. Every once in a while it works out like that for me too. LOL

  29. Wow Uncle Tree…so happy you shared this with me. I love it. I never had such an opening to grace. I think I was born knowing God. My large problem was I mistakenly cut off the good when I thought I cut off the bad. I didn’t realize that the only way to get rid of the darkness was to make the light brighter. So I drifted in a rather dead existence where I abused myself more than people ever had. I know that Angels saved my life on more than one occasion, and I have had very synchronistic events that brought me to my healing. Life is a journey, and it truly can be magical!! I love that you believe this and because you do….it will be magical. Thank you! You have reminded me of how wonderful WE can make our lives…because I know that SPIRIT only wants good for us…we choose. Love to you Uncle Tree 🙂

  30. 🙂 This comment is number 5000. LoL A milestone.
    Sorta, at least half of the comments are mine. Anywhoo…
    I thank thee for the thoroughly thoughtful reply; #4999!

    Mystery, magic, and authority: according to Dostoevsky.
    I say, we must be our own authority on matters of divinity.
    No one else can sanctify our solitary personal experiences.
    I went out on a limb. See what happens? And can happen?
    That’s why I like to share these stories — to give hope,
    even to the manliest of men. There is no shame in asking!

    All women are born knowing God. Some learn to love Jesus, too.
    Men have to learn how to love a man in a way that doesn’t feel gay.
    Heterosexuals, that is. Loving Christ has to be different for us.
    Like a brother is how I kinda see him. A big wise older bro.
    I don’t think He wants to Lord it over me, even if I call Him Lord.
    Lord is like his pen-name. Lord loves Uncle Tree. That easy.

    My “beliefs” and faith in them — sets me apart from convention.
    “I’m not like most men,” applies to me, in my mind anyway.
    Being different (I’m a second child) may be in my Aquarian nature.
    Putting this music to words is my hobby. I do “work” to make a living.
    Enough about me. LoL I could go on for days…

    How are you, Lorrie? 🙂 Good to see you again!
    If you have a post or something you wish me to
    view, do feel free to offer up a recommendation.
    Anywhere, anytime, and I will return the favor.

    Peace, luvz, and hugz! Uncle Tree ♥

  31. Awesome…all of it!!! I love how you said All women are born knowing God. First I love that you were so definite about it…second it made me think about that. I wonder if every little baby is born knowing God…and it is not until the idea of shame is introduced that a young male would have feelings otherwise due to sexual identity…? Oh well…it is late. I will think about a post that I think you should read and let you know. Sweet dreams Uncle Tree!

  34. I don’t want to seem presumptuous, but I read your thoughts,
    and envy the *person* for whom those words were meant.

    Some of us are meant to Fall in September. 😉 I’m off to a good start.

  36. It is an unforgettable event, Alisha. ❤ A life-changing experience.
    My personal testimony is the 5th comment on this post, just above,
    if you're interested. Thank you truly for compliment. Hugz, Keith

  37. My goodness, I have to Praise God for Your Testimony Keith!! It was such a blessing to read. I was in tears instantly because it brought back memories of my granny’s home going. God Is So Good!! The love of a grandmother is irreplaceable. You have blessed my soul today more than you know!!! Thank you 😄

  40. God is awesome!! I can definitely identify with your spiritual experience and this poem. You never know how burdened down you are until the Holy Spirit frees you. Being in the presence of God and allowing Holy Spirit and Jesus to work through you is the most amazing experience we can ever have. I am so grateful for God’s love. Thank you for sharing your gift and your life!
    Love,Light,&Blessings to You!

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