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Written by Jennifer Percell, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Missouri
September of 2009 was warm and sunny in northern Missouri. We had returned to the Midwest in June after working with a congregation in Quebec City for four years. Autumn in Quebec was chilly and the sun set quite early as winter crept in. As much as I had loved the experience in Canada I was feeling so blessed to be back among friends in a culture and language I knew well. It was a time when everything felt good and right. That October, however, became a chapter in my story that was not so good and right.
As I settled into bed one night beside my husband, I quickly entered the deep sleep of contentment. Suddenly I sat straight up and felt that I could hear myself screaming. “He's here! He's here! Wake up Keith, He's really here!!” I grabbed my husband's arm and shook him, it felt so urgent to wake him. I then fell to my knees crying, praying, laughing, and feeling the most ecstatic joy I had ever imagined. All around me a brilliant Light was radiating a pulsing joy. I felt like my heart would burst out of my body but my eyes were so focused on the sky that my body seemed a trivial worry. I was still aware of shaking Keith's arm but everything else around me dissolved into the Light. I realized my human eyes could not bear this sight but the eyes that now stared at the Light were new eyes, eyes that absorbed this warm, pulsing atmosphere with a driving thirst, a thirst that was completely and wholly quenched. The calm and complete perfection I felt is still hard to describe with words.
The morning came as always, and the first thing I did was apologize to Keith for screaming and waking him up. I was totally surprised when he denied that I had done so. The realization that this incredible experience had only been a dream was a great disappointment. But as I sat on the bed remembering and thinking about my dream, I knew something was changed in me. I had a new understanding that affected me deeply. I had tasted a heavenly perspective.
I cannot say that God uses dreams today as He did in many Biblical accounts. I have no idea how dreams work, but one thing I can say is that this was a very good dream. I firmly believe all good things come from God so it is comforting to me to say that this dream was a gift from God. A gift I would need very soon.
A few short days later, on October 9th, Keith and I sat side by side on the exam table at my doctor's office. I remember insignificant things like how our legs dangled in unison and how we laughed awkwardly at some mundane conversation. I remember watching the sweet young doctor search for words to soften her news, “It is a carcinoma of the breast.”
Courage that God gives comes to us in many different ways. For me that day, I did not feel a blow of shock and dismay. I heard her words, squeezed Keith's hand and then said, “Okay, what's next?”
I believe the doctor was as surprised as I was by that reaction. No tears, no fear or anger or 'why me?', just a deep calm and mild curiosity. I was not afraid. I am not saying that it wasn't hard. I had surgery, radiation, and a painful few years of unwanted side effects. As cancer stories go though, mine was not terrible, I was very blessed. I have often looked back at that time and realized that I had a lot of uncharacteristic courage. I have never doubted the connection between that courage and the dream I remember so well.
The part of my HIStory that I would like to offer to you for encouragement is this; a heavenly perspective completely changes an earthly experience. I believe the great courage I felt was a direct result of being confronted with such a dramatic picture of the wonder of eternity.
Esther received courage from Mordecai's explanation of the situation her people were in and the role she could play in their deliverance. The Bible says she said, “If I perish, I perish” (Es. 4:16). I believe Esther understood the priceless fact that some things are far more important than our own earthly lives. She had a heavenly perspective of the situation.
Of course, my cancer story and Esther's heroic actions are far from the same situation. What is the same is that God gave us each great courage by teaching us that this life is only a season. Just like winter in Quebec that always gives way to spring, even when it seems that it never will, our troubles and sorrows here are temporary.
The godly timing of my beautiful dream gave me the courage I needed to endure cancer. Since that time, I have remembered through so many trials that I can endure anything for a time because indescribable joy comes in the end.
Do you need the reminder that whatever you may be suffering will only last for a season? Have courage my sisters, there's a Great Day coming.
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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries
Esther was unaware of the impact that her life would have on the Jewish people, her people. When she answered the call to bravery and potential sacrifice, her uncle spoke these oft-quoted words, “And who knows but that you have come to [this] position for such a time as this?”
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:12-14)
A simple Jewish girl, an orphan, was raised by her close relative, Mordecai. Trusting his guidance, she entered the contest for who would become King Xerxes’ new wife. Wisely taking the advice of the king’s servants and the head over all the young virgins, she won the favor of the king and became queen.
However, every good story has a capital villain, a true enemy; it’s the character we love to hate. Within the book of Esther, that villain is Haman. He is selfish, brooding, self-centered, glory-seeking, and cannot stand those who don’t see things his way. Ugh!
As the story unfolds, we discover that Haman has selected the Jews, the chosen people of God, as the recipients of his rage. Mordecai had refused to bow down to him, so now all of the Jews had to pay.
When we already know the end of the story, we may not understand the risk Esther took by approaching the king without being summoned. She, her maidens, Mordecai, and others spend three days fasting and praying before she approaches the king. The tension continues to mount as Haman’s anger grows. In the meantime, God reminds the king of Mordecai’s unrewarded heroism. Will God’s people be saved in time? Why doesn’t Esther just go ahead and tell the king what is happening at the first banquet instead of asking him to another one and waiting another day?
As a child, there are stories that we request again and again. A parent with tired eyes can nearly quote every page as the child also memorizes the narrative, learning many truths through the wonder of reading. One of those important lessons is that we can trust the ending of the story. Fairy tale endings are possible; dreams can come true; dragons will get slain; heroes will arise.
Bible stories are filled with the best heroes and the reminders that God is always in control. We can trust the ending of Histories. I encourage you to read the story of Esther this week. We intentionally selected this story to highlight this week as it coincides with Purim, March 16-17.
Purim is celebrated every year (typically mid-March according to the Western calendar). Children reenact the story, often with costumes or puppets. The festival is a family and community gathering in which the people remember God’s protection from their enemies and provision for their needs (see Esther 8-10).
As with the end of the story of Esther, for those who are on God’s team, it is true that the good guys win and the bad guys lose. In the middle of the story, we may have our doubts, but the book of Revelation reminds us that God is ultimately and definitively victorious.
When the story of Esther is retold as part of Purim, there are certain facets of “audience participation.” The reenactment is intended to be humorous. Therefore, every time Haman enters the story, the children “boo” or “hiss.” Little girls cheer every time Esther’s name is mentioned. Similarly, young men champion Mordecai as the hero of the story. More modern-day narrations may include a tongue-in-cheek reference to Queen Vashti as an early promoter of “women’s lib.” Other colorful characters are interspersed throughout the story, as well.
The story of Esther is rich in its descriptive characters, its narrative form (following the Jewish pattern of storytelling), and its redemptive ending. I have adopted the practice of rereading the Biblical account at least once/year, as inspired by the Purim festival.
Similarly, the Passover story is told once/year at Easter. It is rich in its descriptive characters, its narrative form, and its redemptive ending—in the Exodus account and, of course, as a foreshadowing of Christ as our eternal Redeemer.
I pray that you have been inspired to reread the story of Esther this week, delighting in the reminders of truth or seeds of faith that we and Jewish children have celebrated for centuries. Which part of the story do you love to remember or meditate on? Be sure to share why!