JESUS REDEEMS

Jesus is the great Redeemer! He has come to give life (John 10:10) and restore what has been taken. Read how Amber experienced His redemption power and restoration for a time she had thought was lost and could not be replaced.

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I had an extraordinary Grandad who passed away in 2016 at the age of 99. So extraordinary was he, I didn't think I would have the privilege of meeting anyone else like him in my lifetime. They just don't make "gentlemen" like that anymore!

Well, God knew there was another such man, and he put me right next door to him and his equally extraordinary wife for the past eight years. Yes, I know, I have used the word 'extraordinary' too many times already but they are in every sense of the word.

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Two weeks ago, aged 95, my neighbour world-renowned pianist and teacher passed away. His wife (who beat cancer aged 90 last year), asked if I would read the scripture that her husband had chosen prior for his funeral. She said, "We don't know anyone who loves God as much as you do." I felt deeply honoured. Little did I know how much God was going to use this particular moment to redeem a loss in my own life. 

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Due to circumstances two and half years ago, I was not able to do the readings at my own Grandad's funeral, and given he was my "hero", it was deeply painful. It was a moment I knew I could never get back. Or so I thought! 

As the eulogies were being read at my neighbour's funeral, I realised just how similar he was to my own Grandad, so similar it was uncanny. My heart began to explode in my seat, as I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit say, "I'm redeeming what was lost." Just then it was my turn to read. 

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Struggling to maintain my composure, I walked over to the lectern, and looked at a room full of his family, friends and students and shared briefly with them how much the moment meant to me. I read from Psalm 73: 25-26 (NIV):

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

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It turns out the Holy Spirit not only used that moment to touch my heart. He also opened up the opportunity after the service to share my faith with others.

It was a full circle moment and I was overwhelmed by His love. Oh, how our Heavenly Father loves to restore and redeem. He knows every part of our hearts and knows just how to take care of them! 

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~ Amber.