Blessings have been poured out onto me
82
HOME FOR SALE BY OWNER
I wrote a Hub four weeks ago entitled Home For Sale; Owner Bankrupt. In it I wrote of my gratitude for the great blessings I have been graced with during my lifetime. I revealed that I have financially gone broke, that my home is for sale, as is an automobile and my art collection. I’ve confessed to squandering my resources in the past, and I have done my best to use this experience in order to teach a small lesson about how people are treated when they have money as opposed to when they don't.
My father doesn't use computers and has not read that Hub. Someone told him about it (perhaps an ex-employee of mine), and described it to him as my "begging for money on the internet." My father called me after he’d heard, and he was furious that I had in his own words, "humiliated our entire family."
In all actuality, the Hub asked for no sympathy or money. I asked for two things: for my friends to help me increase the traffic for my Hubs, and for the prayers of the faithful. I stated that I would accept with faith whatever future God has in mind for me. I will now report briefly on some of what has transpired since the Hub was published.
HUB PAGES
I’ve
received 336 comments on that Hub in less than one month—the most ever out of
the 113 Hubs I have published. Many people wrote that they have had
similar experiences during these hard times. Most of the comments
expressed sympathy or empathy, and many of them offered sincere
encouragement. Quite a few also offered excellent advice regarding: how to
sell art or household items on ebay or through a local auction; how to use
Obama's mortgage rescue plan; how to make money writing online; how to drive
more traffic to my Hubs; suggestions for employment or other income
opportunities, and offers to help me drive more traffic to my Hubs through
social networks. Several offered to set up—or suggested I should create—a
PayPal account for contributions from those who appreciate my
writings. One lady offered her Rat Terrier, and yet another offered to buy
some of my art.
IF BY RUDYARD KIPLING
The great Hubber, Paraglider, referred me to this poem by Rudyard Kipling:
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep
your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
I received a number of comments embedded with beautiful Scripture. Countless Hubbers told me they were praying for me. In particular, one Hubber wrote that she was part of a prayer team with over 30,000 prayer warriors around the world who would all pray for me. Another Hubber wrote a powerful prayer right in the comment box. Do prayers work?
Consider that the day after the prayers started a friend dropped some beautiful flowers on my porch with $150 cash attached. He left a note that said this was 1/2 of all his worldly funds. That same night the doorbell rang, and there was one of my Christian brothers from the Parks Society (a men's fellowship group to which I belong) with two sacks of groceries. The following Monday a family member paid two months worth of our electric bill—on shutoff day. The next day a friend took me to lunch and on our way out handed me an envelope with a large check inside—and a box of razors (I hadn't been shaving lately I guess). That Wednesday one of my Parks Brothers—whose only income is from missionary work—rang my doorbell to visit accompanied by his wife and son. He left a $100 gift card from the best grocery store in the area and a pot of poinsettias. While at that grocery store the next day, another Parks Brother slipped a hundred dollar bill into my hand; it was not a random encounter; he had tracked me down. The following Friday I received a total of nine checks from my Parks Society Brothers that totaled enough to make a mortgage payment on my home and stave off foreclosure. I also received two more grocery gift cards for $350. Neighbors began leaving food on our porch—only one of whom we know. He reads my Hubs, and he must have gotten the others involved.
From the Hubber community came two twenty-dollar gifts and a few books from a woman living on far less than $1000 a month—the Widow's Mite. Offers came in from Hubbers such as these: A house in Wisconsin sitting vacant that I could move into and live in for free; a free apartment in Louisiana; an offer to move in with a lady who lives alone in Ft. Myers; a home to live in here in Florida offered by a lady in California; an offer to move in with a family in Louisiana; a storage place and/or a place to stay in Chicago; an offer to move into an artist's colony in North Carolina. Then an old friend in Massachusetts emailed me to say that he had made arrangements for his own family to move out of their condo and in with his in-laws so we could come and live in the condo until we get on our feet. That had to be the topper.
Well,
folks, I must say that I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of love from
people—those I know in real life and those I only know on HubPages. We are
blessed to belong to the HubPages Community. I am blessed by the support
of my Christian Brothers, and behind all of that I feel the presence of a
mighty God, moving through people to answer my cry. I am not embarrassed
by what I wrote. I have read the Psalms too many times for that. If
it was good enough for David, it's good enough for me.
HUBS
CommentsLoading...
James A Watkins, This is one of the best articles that you have written. When I originally saw it some months ago I intended to come back then, I got involved and didn't. However, I am back now and a follower of yours and I can since a goodness in you through your articles.
Have a good one
olgakhumlo— Thank you! I am truly blessed beyond measure. Thank you for reading this part of my story. I appreciate your blessings and prayers. I will also pray for you that you will be immensely blessed by the Lord.
James, Its beautiful!What an experience of God's amazing love, poured out in adversity.I'm so glad to know how God has bestowed his blessings upon you, and I pray that He would continue to do so. A marvellous testimony! God bless you and your family.A happy and glorious Sunday.
Cheryl J.— Yes! God is good. Praise God! Thank you for the encouragement. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
God is awesome. You have a great testimony. Halleujah. Great hub.
jagandelight— You are welcome. The home was not saved, unfortunately. But I am OK. I appreciate your empathy and concern. I am truly blessed among men.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and for your warm words in response. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
Hi James, first I'll say thank you for becoming one of my followers on hubpage, it means a lot to me.
Your article brought me to tears literally because as I read your story I saw the hand of God and my heart became overwhelmed at God's goodness towards you and mankind.
Is everything OK now, was your home saved?
Continue to be blessed in Jesus name.
graceomalley— You are quite welcome. The Lord has truly blessed me all of my days. I think I owe that to my grandmother's faithfulness as a saint. Thank you for your gracious comments. :)
Beautiful story of God's faithfulness. I'm very blessed reading this. Thank you for writing it.
Cmerritt— You are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and offer your empathy.
Many folks have been down or are on this road in these uncertain times. God has truly blessed me beyond belief. No matter what happens from here on out, my cup has runneth over aplenty.
I appreciate you sharing a bit of your story with me. I always enjoy hearing from you.
James, I am just now coming across this hub of yours. All I can say is, WOW!
I too, went through a similar incident about five years ago. My wife and I, had to pack up and move my five kids from my home. We had moved five times now, but through it all, my family and I became very tight, and we grew so much through this experience. We saw God's blessings poured upon us, though I would not wish this upon anyone, but in a weird way, it has most certainly been time in my life that I would not trade. We are still on the journey, but things are looking up.
I would imagine that you too, have had moments that you would not trade for anything, had you not went through what you have been through.
Anyway, thanks for sharing with us, I find comfort with your stories, I can relate to many of them.
Loveslove— Thank you for expressing your empathy. It was a hard experience. I learned a lot from it. Life will never be the same. But it is still good. I have learned to live with little—again. I am still entangled with the business affairs of the long-dead firm. I have decided to become a writer as my new career. HubPages is my training camp. I very much appreciate your encouragement.
I truly feel for you and I hope by now you have managed to get some sort of order back into your life...it must be so hard when a succesful business goes under ..one minute everything is fine and wonderful ,you have everything good in your life and then BANG !!! its gone..With good friends and determination to succeed you will come good again,keep your chin held high and a smile on your face ,Good luck X
Juliette Morgan— I am extremely blessed by my friends and by God the Creator of the Universe. Thank you for coming by to visit my Hub. I enjoyed reading your remarks. :-)
Juliette Morgan— I am extremely blessed by my friends and by God the Creator of the Universe. Thank you for coming by to visit my Hub. I enjoyed reading your remarks. :-)
They so what goes around, comes around, so James you must have done well by people too and so they repaid you, hope you good these days.
skye2day— You are right on time, sister. Your note here is so uplifting. I know you have lost much but you have gained a Savior. I know about trusting the Lord for my needs. I have been through spells just like you described where all of a sudden a check comes in the mail unexpectedly and you know God did it. I do trust Him to provide for me.
Thank you for your kind offer, your prayers, and your love. God has created in you a beautiful heart.
I'll go check out your Hub right now. :D
James I am usually the end of most hubs. Many say I will be late for my own memorial. ( - ;
I so relate with you James. As you may know through my hubs we lost everything in 2004.
When I started trusting God all the way for provision (one year ago in July) NOT Davids pay check or my clients or Goggle GOD started to deliver my 'pay check' in the most amazing delivery system. As I release more and trust deeper he delivers more. It is wild & wonderful.Gods economy is the only one we can count on. Google could crash who knows? God will not. I know God wants me to write for HIM. He he put the desires on our hearts. He pays the best. My 20 year old daughter has just moved out but was BLOWN away with how God delivers. What a testimony to her. She is amazed at Gods delivery system. The day I said and knew in my heart my purpose was for God and he would provide no matter the situation, my fears left NOT to return. The enemy will try and get in there but I stomp him out. I wear the armor of GOD.
God will not hang you out to dry now. God has plans to use your gifts. Glory to God. Stay close to HIM because he is the guy. He knows what he does. Growing up is not easy, hey? Thats why we are children. lol The no pain no tears life awaits us in paradise. Life can sting, but God is the fixer upper.
I wrote a new hub 'celebrating hub pages'. I came over for a read and to let you know you are in the story. So go to check it out when you have a minute from the book you write (-; Love ya brother. I am lifting you in prayer.
You know what? I was broke busted 2 days ago.I had no fear. That is so cool. I had bills due.In two days I received over $950. It kept coming in various deliveries.
Overpayment for something, some tax money, I won $120 on a scratch ticket that cost $1. I owe taxes?? Yet The State sent me money??!@. It was like a fun adventure around here. My daughter saw it all. A testimony to her. I am going to help a friend in need with some bucks. Do you need a few bucks James? I am HAPPY to give. We reap what we sow. Please email me if you need,I will send. We We are Gods children.
Please let me know. It is between God and I. No one will know but it is yours OK? I mean this James. I am humble because God is so good it comes from his supply. Please brother give me a thumbs up. We serve a rich God. GOD sits on the throne. He Rules.
Love, Peace, Prayer brother, in Christ Jesus.
Hugs, your sister.
I will check emails ok
(Colossians 3:15) awesome
drpastorcarlotta— You are so right, my dear. I am truly blessed by the Lord. Much love back to you!
You have been BLESSED, and you are a BLESSING!!! Much love James!!!
always exploring— Thank you for your gracious remarks. There are many, many fine people in this world. I am blessed to know quite a few of them. God Bless You!
It,s good to read that people still care about others, esp.people who are having a difficult time. When will we ever learn that war and greed robs families of their jobs, their homes, etc. Happy that u are doing better,
God Bless You and Yours
Lisa Petrarca--- Well then, you know where I am. Bank of America finally told me, after months of diddling around, that loan modifications were only given to those with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans--loans the government is on the hook for, in other words, due to the Community Reinvestment Act, etc.
Your last three paragraphs are beautiful. Thank you very much for this missive. It is exactly what I needed to read this morning. God Bless You. :D
We are short selling our home and have to file Bankruptcy. We just found a townhome to rent & need to somehow come up with $3600.00 to get into it on April 1.
After a year of fighting to try and get a modification from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage to no avail, I have grown more than I ever thought possible.
During this trying time, I have learned to have Faith and trust in the Lord. I've attained "peace in the midst of the storm." I start my morning out everyday by praying and reading my scriptures...transforming my mind to be more Christ like.
I have a different outlook. I feel as if the Lord is freeing us up. I've learned that THINGS do not matter.
I'll be praying for you & just know that the Lord has a purpose for your life...something more important than possessions.
Seira Girl--- Thank you for your gracious words. I surely agree that I am not on HubPages by accident. There is a greater purpose to it. Thank you very much for your prayers. I will check out your web site right now. God Bless You! :-)
Hummingbird5356--- Thank you very much. Yes, there are a lot of good people and I am truly blessed to know many of them personally. :)
James, I had no idea you had been through all this, as I am new to HP and have not had a chance to read all your hubs.
As a fellow Christian, I know God hears and answers our prayers and it is no mistake that you ended up here on HP, writing from your heart, so that He could work through us all!
God never ceases to amaze me in the wondrous ways He works!
You seem like a great guy and I join all the others in lifting you and your family up in prayer to the One who loved us so much, He gave us His only Son, through who's grace we are saved! May He pour His abundant blessings down on you to your cup overflows!
On a less religious note, if you are interested in a home-based business that has great income potential - please visit my website - www.lisatippette.freelife.com and let me know if you'd be interested in joining my team! I am a struggling real estate agent, and this company has certainly been a God-send to me. Even though I just joined a few weeks ago, I am on the way to supplementing my income significantly within just a few short weeks! I never thought it would be possible, but this company has something REAL!
Check it out and let me know if have any questions!
If its not for you, I understand - just offering an option!
Take care - believe in prayer!
A very good hub and there are still a lot of good people as you can see from all those who gave you so much and made offers of help. I hope your circumstances improve very soon.
Dmrfam--- You are welcome. I am truly blessed in manifold ways. Thank you for your prayers.
James, Thanks for sharing this hub. It inspires me to never lose Hope and trust in God. You seem to be a blessed soul. God has blessed you with gift of words and wisdom. As they say you do good and good will come back to you. I am happy to know there were so many good people who cared to help. I pray that God takes you out of your troubles and blesses all those who helped you.
Kebennett1--- I have noticed your absence. I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Suffering is not good and is in fact my greatest--maybe my only--fear. I don't suffer well. I will look forward to reading about your experience during this struggle. I've missed you, too, dear. I'm going to pray for you right now.
James my friend, Without God, without prayer, I would not have made it through the last two months (you may have noticed my absence :) Indeed prayer is a powerful thing and the hubber community is a powerfully supportive network of friends as well. I only wish I had been able to have a laptop computer with me at the hospital this last two months to keep in touch with everyone. My father passed away January 23, 2011, almost two months after being admitted to the hospital. It was a long brave battle he fought but in the end the LORD answered our prayers and he is no longer suffering. I am back home with my family and beginning to mingle with life on the outside of the hospital walls again! God blessed me with much during the time with my father and I will be writing about that later.
I missed you and am so happy that God has answered our prayers for you. Father's are often harsh during our lifetime, I pray you two will mend the chasm between you before it is too late.
lisadpreston--- You may send me an email anytime you like. Thank you for your wonderful, gracious comments here. I look forward to reading your email.
James. I have so much to say to you, but I am going to email you to say it, if that is ok. This subject is too important for me to just leave a casual comment. Also, What I want to say is for you only, and this is quite the public format, as you have so many who care about you. I will say publicly, "THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HELPED AND CARED FOR JAMES AND HIS WIFE." YOU ALL DEMONSTRATED WHAT A TRUE CHRISTIAN IS. YOU ALL SHOWED THAT GOD DOES EXIST. HE EXISTS THROUGH ALL OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL, LOVING SOULS. GOD NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME. MY HEART IS PHYSICALLY HURTING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I AM SO OVERWHELMED BY THE FEELING OF JOY.
Donald Payne--- What a wonderful message of brotherly love you have sent to me this day. I will not forget it. I will go get the ebook and shoot you an email. I'm glad to see you here on HubPages.
If you need a friend or someone to talk to please feel free to contact me. I have been there before. This is a time when you feel all alone and wonder where all the people you have helped in the past have gone. I ca assure that with persistence, prayer and a strong will that you will come out stronger and wiser on the other end. I have a free e-book on my website www.mrdonaldpayne.com that I think you should read. I believe it will encourage you. While you e there click on the contact tab and shoot me an email. I am here for you.
Donald Payne
Truth From Truth--- Thank you for sharing in my gladness. And I appreciate the compliments. It's always great to hear from you in the Motor City.
I'm glad you have had some things start to go in the right direction for you. I hope things will continue to improve. You are an excellent writer, and even more importantly you have good morals and beliefs. I wish you and your family the best.
MACACH--- Welcome to HubPages! I greatly appreciate your prediction. Giving is a lot more fun, let me tell you. Thank you for reading my Hub and leaving your fine remarks.
peggypat--- You are welcome. I am well pleased that you are inspired because of the blessings God has poured out into my life. He is faithful. I look forward to reading your work. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
It is always a joy to hear the great things the Lord is doing. We always tend to look for the big millions but the Lord supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Here is the beauty in all of this...the people that blessed you, God will also bless. Long ago I came to understand that it is better to give than receive. Soon the Lord will put you in a position to be a great giver and oh the joy that will flood you. I predict you will become an extraordinary giver and be a most blessed man of God.
James!! Thank you for following me.. but more than that because of your follow I came here and read this hub! It has spoken so powerfully to me! Telling me that God is at work and will take care of us if we just ask. I have started writing - to help generate more dollars for my sad financial state...anything I can do. Your hub has inspired me. God is faithful!
Ictodd1947--- Thank you very much for saying so! You are surely welcome. I intend to come over and read more of your Hubs soon. I appreciate your gracious comments.
Well, here is another great hub. There is nothing more real than the love of the Father. You were one of the first ones to read one of my hubs. Thank you for that. You are giving Him the right praise and I truly admire your ability to overcome diversity and give Him the glory. Thank God for your honesty.
Allan McGregor— Thank you, brother. God is nothing but good.
Man, I am sorry to hear you're in worse shape than I am! I'll pray for you right now.
How about that?
Of all people, I KNOW grace is undeserved. I deserve to be tied to the whippin' post (Gregg Allman).
I will boast in the Lord my God. (Paul Baloche)
Fantastic postscript, James. God is good.
We have lost both our cars and my wife and I seldom travle on the bus together because we cannot aford two fares, but we see some light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meantime our son-in-law's car broke down when the engine seized, but God told a faithful believer to give them his. How about that?
The thing about grace is that it is undeserved, and the more we acknowledge how little we deserve it the more brightly it shines and glorifies our Father when he pours it out on us.
Having nothing can be a good place to be when it leaves us with nothing of which to boast but the goodness of our God.
The LORD is good, and his mercy endures forever.
simpleprocedure— Yes,indeed! The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways—His ways are not our ways. Thank you for your comments and welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
Ah, The Mighty POWER of PRAYER! It has always been said, 'The Lord works in mysterious ways'. May the Lord our God continue to help you and bless you, as well as those who are in need here, and everywhere.
pastella13— Great to hear from you! I have been incredibly blessed to have the wagons circled around me by wonderful friends. It is an uplifting, inspiring story, isn't it? I agree that the comments have also been wonderful to read. Thank you for your caring heart. God Bless You!
Hi James
I'm so glad you wrote this hub. I've been wondering how you and your wife and Hercules have been getting on.
The love that runs through it is just amazing. All those wonderful people showing they care about you and helping you in whatever way they can. It's just so heart-warming and wonderful.
I love reading all the comments on your hub from wonderful people and I'm so glad for you that you've had some help.
God Bless and I wish you all lots of future happiness.
One-to-One— Greetings to London! I look forward to reading your Hub on the Great Fire (of 1666 right?). I have it bookmarked. I think this is the beginning of the best part of my life. Thank you for coming by and leaving your comments.
Wow!
Powerful testimony. I know prayer works, but it's so good to hear from someone else. May this be just the beginning of every good thing in your life.
Amy,
Thank you for expressing your sympathies. I am truly amazed at the recent turns of events. And the best is yet to come! This I know. I appreciate the best wishes. And welcome back! You have been missed around these parts.
James, I am so sorry to hear of all the difficulty you have recently faced. The answers to prayer are amazing and I am sure your many blessing will continue! Wishing you the best...:)
askjanbrass— You are welcome. I did receive many thoughtful and useful ideas from other Hubbers. That is gratifying. Thanks for coming to visit and leaving your compliment.
Chris Eddy111— Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you checking in.
Brother John Thorman!! I love you and miss you, too, my friend. The Lord has indeed proven Himself faithful. Thank you and Tara for your prayers. Much appreciated. There is no telling what lies around the corner. God is glorified and I am blessed. Well said. Thank you for your words and you are welcome.
Thanks for sharing this interesting hub.
Great ideas, im very happy for you.
Good Hub
James it's great to hear of the help that's coming your way. May it continue. One Love.
James my brother! I love you and I miss you. I rejoice and praise the Lord with you at how He has moved on your behalf and proven Himself faithful to meet your needs. Tara and I continue to pray for you and Nancy and we look forward to see what God will do in your lives in the days ahead. Thank you for your transparency and authenticity as you write and share your life with so many people. God is glorified and you are blessed.
jill of alltrades— Indeed it is wonderful! Thank you for coming by and offering your encouragement. You are my favorite photographer. I hope 2010 is your best year ever.
James,
That's really wonderful! I am so happy for you. We just have to continue praying and putting our trust in God and everything will turn out fine.
I'm wishing you all the best this new year!
GoldiString— Why, thank you! I am very pleased to read your words of affirmation. I'll come over and read some of your work very soon.
You are one amazing person James. Your words are mighty, and inspiring.
BP9— Though we differ on issues that should not preclude us from being friends. I am glad we share our faith. Thank you for the best wishes. I hope 2010 is your best year yet.
Shalom
Nicks— Thank you for coming by and offering up your insights into Kipling. "If" is surely a fantastic poem. There is a great film about the story you relate called "My Boy Jack" which I highly recommend.
James,
You and I differ on many things.
I do believe, however that we share a faith in the absolute greatness of our Creator that transcends worldly discourse.
I wish you the best and ask that you hold fast to the faith that guides you and keeps you.
Peace be unto you.
Frankly, I would forget the God bit - but Kipling's poem is relevant. It could almost be summarised as saying: when the going gets tough, the tough get going - but they do it with humanity and due humility. At his best, Kipling was a very fine writer and, for a long time, was 'the' writer for the British Empire. This changed after the dreadful death of his only son in the First World War. The tragedy was that Kipling (father) had done everything possible to make sure that his son became a soldier, despite being very young and suffering from poor eyesight. Kipling (father) was never the same after his son's death and his writing (understandably) lost its previous 'Empire' nationalism. An interesting writer (and man)...
Peggy W— Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers, Peggy. I do indeed have many decisions to make. I so appreciate these kind words from you.
Dear James,
Along with so many others, you and your wife have been in my thoughts and prayers. With all the generous offerings of places to stay it would seem that you have many options and have the gift of choices to be made in the days ahead. We are not defined by the "things" in our lives. Much more important is what type of person that we are and it truly shows when we are tested. You seem to be doing well in that regard. Wishing you many blessings always.
donotfear— Thank you for your kind comments. I am amazed at the blessings I have received. I am thankful.
What a testimony! I've been keeping up with your story. You will continue to be blessed.
Tina— I am truly blessed. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my story. I appreciate your warm words.
stars439— I am proud to have you as a friend. At the heart of a life well live is sacrifice. Love is the greatest thing that exists. Family is the cornerstone of civilization and of human happiness. I'm not sure I knew that my heart was my greatest wealth but I am sure I appreciate you saying so. Thank you for this excellent post. I enjoyed reading your insights gained by a life of living.
I am so moved by your story, James. God bless you and give you strength. You have done nothing wrong by asking for help. Remember you are blessed and so have received the help and blessings of so many.
Delsie— I believe as you believe. And I hope the things you said here come true—that this Hub can be helpful to others in some way. Thank you for reading and commenting.
stars439— Thank you for your ongoing support, my friend. I appreciate your warm words here. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Dear James: I am proud to have you as a friend. There is a thought I must share with you even though you are probably miles ahead of me already.
Long ago my wife and I had great dreams of wealth and careers and of finishing our degrees in a university. We were happy as we studied together and as we dreamed of becomming lawyers or educators.
When our only infant baby was born with terrible disabilities, and when I nearly lost my wife while she was giving birth to the baby, I prayed to God for their lives, and they lived.
For a long time I felt all of our dreams were shattered because we lost our dreams of wealth and great careers because I even wanted to someday be a Senator, and I wanted everything the best of life could buy for my family.
My wife and I and my mother and father, we all struggled for the good of the baby for more than twenty years. We struggled, we economized, but we ate good and kept roofs over our head and gave the baby all of our lives.
It turned out that all of our lives became more about sacrifice than of anything else.
I look back now, and I thank God with all my heart that we had a wealth of love. We were rich and lived in and abundance of love, and nothing else really mattered. To this day I am always happiest when what is left of my family is together.
We are very wealthy, my wife, and daughter and I. It was only about love and sacrifice and inspiration that gave our lives the most quality. God Bless You. Your greatest degree of wealth has always been in your good heart, but I think you know that already.
James I believe it is God He has blessed you in many ways. I believe people reading about your situation will be encouraged to hang in there when the going gets tough.Their faith may be renewed, they may learn what faith is. It is a blessing to be able to share your trials and your triumphs.Thank you GOD BLESS YOU YOUR WIFE AND YOUR DAD
Dear James: I am glad that you are receiving so many fine blessings from so many friends. I hope you are doing well right now and that God will bless you with all the important things necessary for your security. God Bless You Dear Friend.
Glen G— I'll take these blessings anyway I can get them.
I'll have to pick myself up; dust myself off; and do it all over again.
Thank you for coming by and leaving your comments here. I appreciate the compliment. I do love Hubbing. I'll hang with it as long as I can.
Hey James, I wont say whatever gifts you received was a God thing, cant say it and don't believe it, I would lean more towards you just seem to be a good person and people if they can will help....
Sometimes crap happens, you fall then pick yourself up off the ground and roll with it, in the end my friend the only thing that will help you is your own two hands and the will to make it, and I know you will.....
Best of luck to you in these crazy arse times....
whatever happens keep on hubbing, your good at it!
Katee— Thank you! I appreciate your thoughtfulness. All the best to you.
Wonderful to hear the news, James! I read this after I read your last one which I commented on. Though you will be in my thoughts still. Take care!
Lita C. Malicdem— Thank you for coming. I so enjoyed reading your words. If I may, I am going to repeat two sentences you wrote:
"Genuine humbling and seeking of God through prayers make a big difference."
"God loves a prayerful soul, He fills the cup of the grateful."
TattoGuy— Welcome to the conversation, friend. Thank you for your prayers and your kind comments about me. I am gratified to read your words.
IslandVoice— I am overjoyed to hear from you again, sister. Especially with your calm words of love and encouragement. Thank you. :-)
Wealthmadehealthy— "only through the Grace of God and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit also the knowledge Jesus will always protect us with His angels"
I thought these words bore repeating. That is a loaded phrase.
Thank you for your empathy, prayers, and the wisdom you shared here today, Linda. God Bless You! I will pray for you right now that you may overcome your challenges.
Heavensgates— I think it may have been your prayer that put things in motion. Seriously, the day after you wrote that prayer in my comments box—which I mentioned in this Hub—things started changing. I am amazed. If I ever need anything in the future, I'm just going to ask you to pray for it because there is power in your prayers, sister.
James
Wanda— Did you notice Dara was here? I sincerely appreciate your generous offer. You are a kind and thoughtful person and a true friend. Thank you for being you.
DeBorrah K. Ogans— The Lord has showered me with favor. I do praise God for my blessings and to Him belongs all glory.
Thank you for your commentary. You always have the knack for uplifting me and edifying me at just the right moments. What a fine teacher and encourager you are, DeBorrah. And how eloquently you write.
Thank you and you are welcome. :D
Dara— Welcome back. I see what you are saying. So, I'm like a car wreck on the highway and I am causing a gawker's delay?
Dara— It must be old home week. Here is yet another of my oldest friends in the world. I wish they all could be California girls. :D
Yes, I made it home safely from Michigan. And I had the most wonderful time up there. I don't know if you know this, but you and Wanda know each other I do believe. Two Coloma girls.
I love your comments. It does feel good to help other people out and we are all in this thing together. Well put. And the answer to your question is "yes" since Christians invented Charity as we know it.
Kipling is a master wordsmith, to be sure. Thank you for reading my piece and leaving your words for me to read. It is always such a pleasure to hear your voice.
From the secular viewpoint, what happened to you makes sense. Genuine humbling and seeking of God through prayers make a big difference. Our prayers must not end here, this is only the beginning. God loves a prayerful soul, He fills the cup of the grateful. Take care, my dear friend.
I have to agree with most sentiments already written and deff you are in my prayers. The power of prayer deff works as does Karma and you deserve luck to come your way as you are one of the most decent and nicest people I have met online.
God Bless my friend and I hope things pick up for you, take care !
I love you James, like my brother. You are a beautiful person, and i am confident that God is unfolding His plans for you. Just be patient. Keep your eyes on Him.
James: I am so sorry to hear how your father reacted or should I say overreacted. This must have been horrid for you. I have been offline for the past three months and had no knowledge of what was happening...I would have been there then but I am now in prayer for God to shower you with immense blessing according to His promises in the Bible. I am so happy the lady added you to her prayer group, for always remember this...When God closes a door, He opens a window AND This is written, He will never give us anything too hard for us to bear or recover from....
We are all facing the most difficult times of our lives and is it only through the Grace of God and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit also the knowledge Jesus will always protect us with His angels that we will get through all of this....I pray for you now and will continue to pray...May Jesus continue to bless you and yours......I wish I Could offer more than this, but alas, I am also having challenges.
Your friend in Christ Jesus.....Linda
Praise God! James A. Watkins, the Holy Spirit just put you on my mind and I just had to surf the hubs for your latest hub. I have not even finished reading your hub and I am rejoicing for and with you and your wife! The tears have welled up in my eyes and I am not surprised. Our Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I've got to go back and finish reading the entire hub now. Hahaha. Praise God. And I am glad to have prayed for you right there on the hub box from the past. We have got to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Robert— You are one of my oldest friends. We go back over 40 years, brother. I suppose we could safely say 'you knew me when'. I was a tad crazy. Might still be. :D
It is great to hear from you. Thank you for letting me know how you see me. Your words made me feel good, brother. I hope all is well over there in Clearwater. I was in St. Joe for New Years Eve with my kids. It was great up there. Got 25 inches of snow the last 3 days I was there and it was beautiful. And cold. I love it! I'd love to see you when we can. Best wishes for 2010!
James A Watkins Hub Author 7 months ago
platinumOwl4— Hello there! I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for reading this part of my story and being utterly gracious with your comments. You have lifted my spirits today. :-)