Isaiah 43:4a.
For a whole year a friend of mine had encouraged me to visit The Brooklyn Tabernacale Congregation, founded by author and pastor, Jim Cymbala and his wife, in New York. It holds three huge services each Sunday in a broadway theater they bought.
I was working at an international organization headquartered in Pennsylvania, when my friend and I finally found a date to make this trip happen. We even ended up with two car loads of friends tagging along with us. More the merrier, seems to be our motto.
We had waited outside in line for a good hour or so before they let us all in for the worship service. Once in, we now waited with anticipation in the upper balacony for the service to begin. We sat and watched the massive amount of people continue to pile in after us to find their seats.
SO WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?
The famous, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir finally began captivating us with their beautiful sounds of praise to God along with over 700 of us in the audience singing along. You could sense the presence of God in the room as the people sang. The anticipation of hearing Pastor Jim Cymbala preach to us from God’s Word next was also felt.
I would finally get to hear the man I had read about and been so inspired by. The stories in his books related back to when the church plant first started and how God answered their many prayers.
Yet, I was not prepared for what God had planned next. Mr. Cliff Barrows was ushered out and introduced as the guest speaker. Not expecting this change of speakers, my reaction upon seeing him surprised me. I got all excited and found myself ready to run down the isle and up on stage to give him a big hug.
Why? Mr. Barrows, who used to be the worship and song director for the Billy Graham Crusade, had also been a neighbor of my paternal grandparents well up until my early 20’s. We connected on so many levels. His father, I believe, was a “Gideon” and even served in the Philippines. This had been our home for 13 years as well.
Cliff and His first wife, Billie, which had 2 years earlier passed away, had also become like my adopted grandparents. They loved Jim, my husband and me. They prayed and encouraged us; even took great interest in our work in Asia. They even became financial partners with us for a season..
They always made time for my husband and me when we were home from the Philippines. This meant much since he was a busy man. Occasionally, they would ask me to cook a Filipino meal for them.
Cliff and Billie gave much counsel and encouragement as we considered adopting our 4th child. They listened well and gave wisdom during many of our transitions.
They loved my grandparents and my father too. Often extending Christ to them in more ways than one. I cannot say enough about this man, who just passed away a couple of years ago. For all these and more I am grateful.
This gives you some backdrop to appreciate my excitement to see him stand and get ready to deliver God’s Word. My heart leaped. Seeing him, truly was an unexpected surprise gift from God. I had not seen Cliff for many years.
I was told later he was now legally blind. Yet, he preached as if he was reading all the Words directly from the Bible. He knew many Scripture verses by heart. He gave an amazing message!
OKAY, BUT WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL THIS?
My dad, almost 89 years old, whom I don’t know for sure he is a follower of Jesus, even to this day, knows Cliff as a former friend. Cliff, when home from travels often took time out to have lunches with my dad in the days he lived next door to my paternal grandparents.
Leading up to this event at The Brooklyn Tabanacle, my grandmother had already been dead for 4 years. Right after her death some important decisions needed to be made. After seeking the Lord and much wise counsel from others, my siblings and I, felt it best to disagree with my dad. For some reason, this caused my father’s wrath. He didn’t want anything to do with us afterwards.
Always being in my dad’s good graces as “his little girl” this choice on his part hit us hard. As we waited on the Lord to change my dad’s heart, through much prayer, I wrote my dad many special letters and cards but he never responded back.
In good conscience I knew I was faithfully honoring and loving my dad. Even though we disagreed on this one decision.
So when I saw Cliff, all the grief and love for my dad which had been built up inside of me came pouring out. I felt like I was seeing my dad and I couldn’t control the tears that came flooding out before the Lord. I tried to hold them back but I couldn’t
Here this 40 something “young” lady, at that time was a basket case. My friends didn’t know what to do. Before they could say anything I got up and walked downstairs to the front in order to be ready to hug and talk to Cliff when he got finished.
Not realizing just how big of a production this place was… when I got down to the stage, these 2 big security guys were standing at the entrance of the platform stairs, watching guard. They would be escorting Mr. Barrows off when he was done, away from the crowd.
The invitation for people to come forward was happening so I thought it would be just fine to go on stage and talk to him. What was I thinking?!
“Yes Miss? You can’t go any further! Is there anything you would like”.
Yes I am friends with Mr. Cliff Barrows. He knows me and I want to see him and say Hi”
The man’s eyes displayed concern but wasn’t sure if I was for real. He was there to do his job. “Ma’am, he will be whisked off when he is finished, I don’t think you will be able to see him”.
“But I have to” as tears uncontrollable again started to roll down my cheeks. Feeling rather embarrassed and stupid now. “He knows me, I have to talk to Him!”
“I will see ma’am. I will ask when he comes down but I can’t promise you. Just stand over there if you would please and wait.”
I stood there talking to myself trying to get my composure. “If I can just see and talk to him, that’s all I ask Lord. I just need a hug and I will be okay.”
“Come on Sterling, get control of yourself”, then the tears would flow again. The bodyguard kept looking at me strangely. I was trying to act like I wasn’t some cookie crazy woman but I am sure I wasn’t too convincing.
BUT, I COULDN’T MOVE AND WAS DETERMINE TO SEE HIM!
As soon as Cliff ended his message he was swept from the stage as the crowd of people engulfed him and I was pushed to the side. This same guard, as he passed had the most compassionate look in his eyes, as he moved his lips, “I am so sorry miss.”
I yelled out “Just tell him it is Sterling Moseley O’Neill”. The man was kind and daring enough to mention to Cliff my full name, probably thinking, that is the least I can do for this lady, but I am not sure it will matter!
When he mentioned my name to Mr. Barrows, Cliff stopped in his tracks and said, “Where is she?”
The guard pointed toward my way and the sea of people parted. Cliff put out his hands towards me and again said “Where is she?”
“She is over there, Sir.” Cliff, remember he could not see me because he was considered legally blind, put out his hands and said, “Please come here, Sterling.” The look on the guard’s face was one of surprise and delight for me and motioned for me to come.
When I reached Cliff, He hugged me. We talked for only a few minutes, forgetting the many people looking in on us. Then, he left just as fast. My tears seemed to subside instantly. I was filled with contentment and joy. My heart was full. I was okay. It was like my dad had given me a special hug. Or more like a hug from my heavenly Father. WHAT A SURPRISE GIFT FROM GOD!
One day we will die. Then we shall see Jesus extend his pierced marked hands and say “come” and call us by name, and take us up to heaven. I know what I felt and I look forward to that day when Jesus, will call my name because I am written in His book. I am precious, honored and belong to Him.
How do you feel? Can you picture it? Is your name written in His book? JESUS IS ALIVE putting His arms out to hug you. Go to Him.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: With the Easter season, once again, Jesus is reminding us He is alive, calling, knows us by name, and/or is ready to hug us. What story can you remember where God showed up where you felt like it was a surprise gift from God, as in my story? Take time to write it down and be a blessing in someone else’s life. How have you experienced God’s presence this week even? Please share a story with us in the comment section: A SURPRISE GIFT FROM GOD.
*my dad and I today are on talking terms. God answered prayers and the doors were open to mend our relationship. But I still do not know where he is with the Lord.
From One Pilgrim to another together on the journey,
“Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)