Jesus saves – Page 5 – Meghan E White

The Struggle Bus Is Real

November 3, 2023 meghanewhite

Bolton bus by Alan Murray-Rust is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

I was waiting for a bus, a party bus. It was going to be lovely. The destinations were fun, happy, relaxing places. No stress or troubles were in sight. My bag was packed ready to go as I sat at the bus stop. Several buses came whizzing by, but they didn’t slow down. Surely my party bus would arrive soon.

Finally, my moment had come. A bus pulled up right in front of me, yet it didn’t look at all like the party bus I was waiting for. This bus was kind of odd looking and definitely not fun at all. The door opened and the driver motioned for me to get in. I hesitantly stepped up and found a place to sit. The seats were worn out and torn. The bus smelled funny, and there was no one else on board. Oh no! It was the struggle bus.

I’ve been riding the struggle bus for some time now, even though it was supposed to be just a short ride. The trials keep piling on with each roll of the bus wheels. There is nothing special about me or my troubles. I am not unique in going through hard times. It happens to all of us. I wouldn’t choose the struggle bus, but this is where I need to be right now.

I am learning to accept where I am as I wait for God to answer my prayers and teach me what I need to know. There is plenty for me to do as I’m riding along. My faith is being stretched and tested. Each day I say, “I trust You, Lord”, when I can’t see anything in front of me. He knows every detail and wants me to trust Him, and I do.

The struggle bus is not so bad. Though there are days, and times that are gut wrenching. The party bus is my kind of ride, but that’s not for me today. In the struggle is where God is etching away my pride, fear, and doubt and replacing it with humility, faith, and perseverance. I have to rely on Him to get through, because He will bring me to the other side better, with a little less of me, and more of Him.

If I only rode the party bus my faith would never grow. I wouldn’t need Jesus. I would be a terrible, soulless person. It is in the struggle that faith muscles get a much needed work out. It’s not pretty, but the results are amazing. So today I’m enjoying my ride. It can get bumpy, and I may get car sick, but I will make it by the grace of God.

Enjoy the ride.

Love you all,

Meghan

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4, NIV

Family

For My Brother Sean

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 meghanewhite

Death comes for all of us, though for some it happens too soon. My oldest brother, Sean, died on August 19, 2023. At only fifty-five years young, a septic infection killed him. He eluded death for years as a drug addict. There were countless overdoses from methamphetamines that could have taken his life, and it was a hard life. Sean lived on the streets for the majority of his adulthood. He lived with people who took him in from time to time, but that never lasted, because Sean always sabotaged it.

I have not seen my brother in almost twenty years. I would get updates from my mom when she was still alive, if Sean was in jail, or rehab, or prison. The only pictures I would see were mug shots that ripped my heart wide open. Drug addiction and homelessness changes a person. They look and act differently. Sean was manipulative, violent, and angry. My mom feared that he might cause her harm.

The thought of my brother dying without knowing Jesus as his Savior, and facing an eternity in hell, destroyed me. I cried many tears over his horrible life, calling on the Lord, pleading for Sean’s soul. I wasn’t the only one praying. My mom was praying, and my sister, and many other friends, and family members. Recently, my prayers shifted. I asked God to “snatch Sean out of all the addiction, and pain, and evil. To set him free.” I would picture God’s hand plucking Sean off the streets to freedom. I am believing that the Lord answered our prayers.

Sean chose the life he lived. He took the drugs, lied, cheated, stole, hurt people, and made the worst choices with catastrophic results. The drugs called him, and he answered, probably thinking he was in control. Then it took a turn, where the drugs gripped him tightly, and did not want to let go.

Sean wasn’t always an addict. He was my parent’s son, and a brother to four siblings. Sean had hopes and dreams, like all of us. He was smart and did well in school. As a five-year-old he informed my mom that he would walk himself to kindergarten. Sean was very talented in theater productions, and was an active member of the drama department of his high school. I vividly remember watching his plays, being mesmerized at his performances. His drama teacher loved him and promised Sean a college scholarship, but he dropped out of high school.

I have a lot of good childhood memories of playing board games with Sean, and holding his pet rat, Ruby. I can hear his hearty laugh. He loved music and I would listen to his records. My first real concert was with both my brothers. It was U2 in 1987 at the L. A. Colosseum. Sean drove us there, and it was terrifying, because he was a scary driver. But, he made the concert fun for me.

My brother was a person, with value, who got caught up in a tragic life of addiction. Sean was taught the truth of Jesus Christ being the only way to the Father. I know the Lord was always calling him, because that’s how much Jesus loves him. The peace and comfort I have from the Lord is a gift. I keep seeing Jesus pick Sean up out of the hospital bed and carry him home. Free from suffering. Free from the grip of hard drug addiction. Free from a life of torment. No more pain, no more sorrow.

I can’t help but think of the thief on the cross when I think of Sean’s death. One thief who was also being crucified at the same time as Jesus said to Him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43, NIV)

Goodbye Sean. You will always be my big brother, and I will always love you. See you soon.

Love,

Meghan

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sickness

We’re Not Out of the Woods

May 1, 2023 meghanewhite

Tom is home! He was released from the hospital last Thursday afternoon. Thank God! We were sent home with a large pile of prescriptions, and a long list of his team of doctors that we need to see. Tom is out of the hospital, but not out of the woods. There is much healing that needs to take place and still many unknowns.

He is resting, and finally getting some sleep. If you have ever stayed in a hospital you know that you do not sleep well. Tom looks good on the outside. I have no clue what is going on inside of him, but God does. We wait, we pray. Tom is doing his part by taking all his medications, eating well, and getting lots of rest.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Tom! We cannot thank you enough. Prayers are still needed for healing of his kidneys, low hemoglobin, and heart damage. It’s a long list that looks impossible. With God all things are possible. I continue to believe that God is healing Tom. I will keep asking and persisting in prayer.

We take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do. That’s all any of us can do. Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support. May God bless you greatly for your faithful prayers for my husband.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:3-5, NIV

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Faith, Trials

Don’t Be Afraid, God’s Here to Help

January 28, 2023 meghanewhite

Fear is a powerful force that can bring us to our knees, and strike terror in our hearts and minds. Fear can also draw us to our Heavenly Father as we ask for His help. And He delights in helping us. What an awesome God who loves us so very much!

Are you stressed out, afraid, anxious? Welcome to the club. There’s no shortage of things to be afraid of in this dark world. But……..there is hope! We do not have to stay in a fearful place. God is ready and always available to reach out and rescue us. We just need to ask.

This scripture was part of a devotion in the YouVersion Bible app a few years ago. We can never get enough encouragement. I pray you are encouraged today.

Do not be afraid! God is here to help you. He’s got your back, and your front. Keep trusting God.

Love you all,

Meghan

Lord,

Thank You for for grace and mercy, and for helping us when we are afraid. Bless every person who is reading this, and afraid. Give them peace, hope, and comfort. Take them by the hand and make a way for them. Change their perspective as they take their eyes off of their problems and look to You. We love You, Lord!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Nature

Save the Monarchs

January 21, 2023 meghanewhite

Hello to you! It’s been a while since I’ve written a post. I allowed myself an extended break, and it was delightful. No social media, no blogging, no regrets. I highly recommend social media breaks. I will write about social media another time. Today it’s all about monarch butterflies because they are beautiful, and important, and make me happy.

Right around Christmas the temperatures dropped to below freezing, which doesn’t happen often in Southeast Texas. I noticed a few monarch caterpillars on the milkweed in the garden, and then had the crazy idea to dig up the plants and bring them inside to save the caterpillars. So we dug up two milkweed plants, put them in buckets, and brought them to the safety of our dining room. A few caterpillars were placed in a terrarium. Monarch caterpillars eat the sole diet of milkweed, so there was no concern over caterpillars escaping.

We kept them inside for about a week until the weather warmed up. I would daily check the branches for new caterpillars, and they just kept showing up. There were fifteen total between the terrarium and the plants. I love all things nature, and plants, and animals, and butterflies, so this was fun for me. We felt like we were running a monarch rescue.

The caterpillars have been outside since the new year doing well. We went to a local nursery in hopes of finding milkweed to feed our ever growing caterpillar family. The nursery gave us a dozen milkweed plants for free since they were about to throw them in the dumpster. Definitely God’s providence.

Our first butterfly emerged the other day. I felt like a proud parent as it stayed on my fingers for a while drying out its wings. There are currently nine chrysalises, or chrysalides (not sure on the correct plural for butterfly cocoons) waiting to become lovely butterflies. I am enjoying every moment of watching these precious little creatures grow up.

The reason I am nerding out over monarchs is they remind me of my creator. Every stage of a caterpillar from egg to butterfly reflect God’s glory. There is no mistake or randomness in caterpillars or butterflies. They serve an important purpose to help with pollination of the vast majority of the world’s flowering plants. Monarchs are kind of a big deal. All butterflies are a big deal. Only God would make pollinators so beautiful.

As I watch each stage of the caterpillars I am blown away that everything they need is inside of them. No human can do that, only God, our magnificent Creator, can create something so remarkable. Nature brings me solace in a hurting world. I am comforted knowing God made it all, and He has the final say.

God cares for all of His creation. He cares for you too. There is nothing too hard for our awesome God! Nothing! Whatever is concerning you today, give it Him. God loves you so much.

And I love you too.

Meghan

Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3

If you need prayer send your requests to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com