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Tuesday, 03/19/2012 at 12:32 P.M.
I received a birthday gift from a dear friend of mine. It arrived in a silver box with my full name engraved on the top. It reminded me of the type of gift box that may have been like one that the three kings had presented to Jesus so long ago. Inside there was a black velvet pouch that had another pink velvet pouch inside of that. This pouch had a set of silver dog tags in it. The top plate has a trellis like design and a cut out heart so that you can see through it to the bottom plate. The front of the bottom plate has my Army Serial number art323, my position Disciple of God (DOG) and the back of that same plate has HOPE 111 engraved on it. When the top plate is directly aligned with the bottom, you can see the words OF GOD inside the heart that is on the top plate. The initials are smaller case to remind me to stay humble. The message of HOPE 111 was a revelation that God had shared with me a few years ago that I had shared with my friend.
I remember before this package had arrived that day, I was in the restroom at work and when I looked in the mirror, I had acknowledged that the outfit I was wearing reminded me that I am in the Army of Lord. It was a black T shirt with a silver Jesus Fish and Capri's that had camouflage on them.
Some may call this a coincidence but I know that it was not. It was a confirmation for me that I am a part of His Army. It was as if He was handing me the dogs tags Himself.
For the last few years I had made it a point to have dinner on Monday nights at my Mom's, (who lived with my Grandma),. I brought my son with me, and eventually my Brother started coming and he would bring his girlfriend. Once Kyle started to date someone, he would bring her as well. Eventually, my brother started bringing his friends at times. Everyone had always been welcomed in that house and my loving Mother with a gift of serving had made it a feeling of home for all.
When I came to my Mom's house that night, I had noticed that every single person that was in the house had camouflage on. This was actually pretty unusual and even my Mom had it on. Granted hers was a Disney shirt with blue camouflage but camo nonetheless, LOL.
As I am writing this story now, I do so with a smile in my heart mixed with sadness and revelation. There has been much turmoil on my Grandmothers side of the family in the way of the siblings. They are all very kindhearted, loving people however the family was steeped in religion that bore it's natural fruit of judgement and condemnation, rather than love and mercy towards each other. Needless to say, once my Grandmother passed last year, it has only gotten worse. I am not sure why my Grandmother did not leave the house to my Mother who moved in with her and had taken care of her but I suppose it is not my place to judge her actions. I stand with a broken heart watching the family succumb to the spirit of Greed in ways that I could have never imagined. I guess in my heart, I thought they would do the right thing and let my Mom have the house. You see the house would not be if she had not moved in. Grandma could not make the payments so, she asked my Mother to move in with her. I love all of my family and I will always strive to believe the best and try to convince each of them to believe the same in each other. My Mom did not expect to be given the house, and agreed that the siblings are entitled to their inheritance. Over the last year I have seen and heard things that have really stretched my Faith. I have been moving my Mother for the last couple of months who is now an hour away from me :-(.. Life has been very hectic for me. I went from not having to suffer much loss to suffering a great amount of loss and it seems to continue to be more and more. It dawned on me today that the worst of this started right after I received my dog tags and how appropriate that I went to that house after having received them and all of my immediate family who are in this battle, were wearing camo as well.
Today is a colder rainy day. These are the types of days when I seem to be able to hear God the clearest. After feeling as if God has been anywhere but in my midst for the last few months, I watched the Hobbit this AM and then I read a book and prayed. It was through all of these vessels that God spoke very clearly to me. There is a scene in the Hobbit where there are Eagles that rescue the gang and sweep them away to a safe place on top of a mountain. They are able to see their homeland from this high point, that they have been trying to save on their journey. A dragon was able to steal it away from their ancestors when their kings heart became set on gold. I thought to myself, why didn't they just fly them over all the way? It was still a very long journey from where they were. I heard, because they will not be prepared to fight the battle unless they take the entire journey. For it is on the journey that they will experience trials that will teach them what cannot be taught by words. It is our trials that make us stronger, not our comfort. It is the time that it takes to make the journey that gives us the chance to have these experiences. If we lean in closer to God during these times and wait for Him with a Hopeful Heart, we can win the battle and the Kingdom He has promised us!
The last memory that I have on the last Monday we all shared together in Grandma's house was all of us hugging in a huge pact like formation telling each other that we love each other jumping up and down being goofy. My Mom who was sitting in a chair at that time even jumped up and joined in. I remember thanking God for giving me that memory to hold onto. I was hopeful that God by way of miracle would let my Mom keep the house. It appears the answer at this time is no but things are not always what they seem. Please if you are reading this post, pray for the peace of all in my family in the Will of God and restoration.. I pray for your peace in your life in the Will of God as well.
AND NOW TO YOU the reader.........................................
I was prompted to share this story with you and felt a prompting to relay a prophetic message to you. This post is anointed to get a Word to you today. If you are reading it, it is not by coincidence or chance. You were destined to read it and let it serve as a confirmation for you. There are feelings that you have already had on your heart about the spiritual warfare that is in our country and all around the world. You have seen the signs and YES, THIS IS WAR! God has been and will continue to prepare you for this battle. You are enlisted in His Holy Army. The best weapons that you have are your relationship to our Father, love and mercy. You look around and see pain all around but don't worry and keep pushing forward in FAITH and TRUST. God will work ALL things out for the good of those that LOVE HIM. Do not choose to let your heart grow cold in distrust in His Promises. WE NEED YOU! HOLD THE LINE!
IN LOVE AND SERVICE,
art
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