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I'm Alright · 28 July 2007

When I was about 16, God spoke very clearly to me. It was not an audible voice like when God spoke to Moses at the burning bush but He spoke through a song on the radio at just the right time. He spoke at just the right time to calm four worried kids.


Our whole family was at the hospital waiting while the doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with Mom and why she could not breathe very well. Dad was with her and the doctors while the four of us kids were in the waiting room not sure of what was happening. It was dark outside and the only reason I know I was at least 16 was that Dad gave me some money and the keys to the car and told me to take my brothers and sister to get something to eat. We were all worried about Mom but Dad knew that we needed to eat and get out of the hospital. I know that we were all wondering what we would do without Mom.


That was the frame of mind that kept the four of us kids silent as we left the hospital for the car. I remember getting into the car and turning the key in the ignition. The radio had been left on as usual and as if on cue, Kenny Loggins’ song, “I’m Alright” started playing from the beginning. Those first words, “I’m alright; Don’t nobody worry ‘bout me,” calmed me and I told everybody that Mom was going to be okay. I think we all knew that the song was a message from God about Mom because by the time we got to the restaurant, we were calm enough to eat and talk.


We were much happier when we got back to the hospital and found out that Mom had had an allergic reaction to some medicine. That was why she was having difficulty breathing. Dad looked relieved when he told us that Mom would be okay but we kids already knew that because of a message from God.


“I’m Alright” is an old song now but every time I hear it I smile to myself. I smile remembering the message from God to four scared kids who were worried about their Mom. I smile because I know that God is still looking out for us all. And I smile because I know that God still speaks to us today. Even if it is through a song on the radio.

© 2007 Michael T. Miyoshi

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Smile, God Loves You · 17 April 2007

There is a lady at our church, who, when we have not seen each other for a while says, “I have missed your smile.” Martha has the most wonderful smile and it amazes me how much joy and happiness she shares with her beautiful smile.


When I think of Martha and her smile, I have no doubt in my mind what the source of that smile is. It is God’s love. She radiates God’s boundless love with not just her smile but with her whole being. She smiles with her lips, of course, and she smiles with her eyes as anybody with true happiness does. But you do not need to look very deep into her eyes to see that she is smiling with her heart. Nor do you need to listen very long to hear God’s praises come from her mouth. To see her smile and hear her voice is to be refreshed in heart and spirit. Martha’s entire being says, “God loves you and so do I.” It is like being in the presence of an angel to be around this wonderful lady.


I know that being around me is nothing like being near an angel but I do hope that my smile and my words let people know that God loves them and that I love them too. I hope that being around me makes people smile. I hope that I, like Martha, say heartfelt words like, “I have missed your smile.” I hope that God’s love shines through my smile as it does hers. And I hope that like her, I brighten a room by entering rather than by leaving.


I need to tell my friend at church “Thank you.” Her smile and her kind words always brighten my day. And even though she most often says it, I too miss seeing her smile when our paths have not crossed for a while. I miss seeing my friend, Martha, whose whole being says, “Smile, God loves you.”

© 2007 Michael T. Miyoshi

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Just Say, “Yes,” to God · 3 February 2007

I believe that God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks through The Bible, His Holy Word. He speaks through others. And He even speaks to us through some nudging in our souls. He speaks to us through His Spirit in ways that will move us to action. And sometimes, he even speaks through some audible or seemingly audible way. I do not actually hear God audibly but I have heard his voice very clearly in my head at least a few times. One time, He spoke so forcefully, I had to obey. Even if it was after He told me three times (or more) to do it. The experience showed me that it is much easier to just obey right away when we hear God’s voice.


I had heard a rumor about one of my co-workers. I did not know what I was supposed to do because even though I have not had a real enemy since I was in grade school, this individual and I were not friends. We could work together but there was no love lost between us. So I wondered whether I should just laugh at the rumor or do something else.


I wish that I could say that I had love and compassion for my co-worker. I wish that I could say that I felt God’s love for this person and wanted to do what was best for him rather than laugh at his misfortune of having a rumor spread about him. Instead, I wished that I had never heard the rumor because almost right away I heard God’s voice. “Tell him that I know the truth.” I did not know whether that message would be a conviction or a comfort for this man. I did not know whether he would turn from his sin if it was a conviction or be glad that somebody else knew it was just a rumor with no foundation if that was all it was. I just knew that I did not want to give my co-worker any message from God. So I didn’t.


The first time I had a chance to tell my co-worker the message from God, I would have had to get him away from another co-worker and speak to him privately. I knew it was what God was telling me to do. Instead, I did not interrupt and told myself that I was going to wait until the time was right. Normally, I did not see my co-worker all that much but I saw him at least three times more than usual in a span of a week or so. Only a few days went by with me thinking that I would tell him when the time was right but the time never seemed right.


After a few missed opportunities, God was more insistent. He knew I would never think that the time was right so He kept bugging me. “Tell him that I know the truth,” became “Tell him,” which finally became, “Tell him. NOW!” I finally listened and sought out my co-worker. I hedged my bets a little by saying, “You might think that I am crazy but I have a message for you from God.” My co-worker was a bit shocked by the announcement but I continued, “God knows the truth.” It was all I was supposed to say. Apparently, it was all I needed to say.


I am not sure exactly what my co-worker did with the message. I do not know whether he was convicted or comforted. I do not know whether he was moved to action or not. Life went back to normal and our paths did not cross much.


I guess that it does not really matter what my co-worker did with the message from God that I gave him. For all I know, he might have thought I was crazy. I sometimes think that God is crazy for giving me messages like that. Regardless of what my co-worker thought or did, I finally did what was required of me. I finally obeyed. I just said, “Yes, Lord,” and did my job. Hopefully, next time, I will do it the first time He commands.

© 2007 Michael T. Miyoshi

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