special treatment

Has God ever treated you special? Did it embarrass you a little? Or a lot? Did you accept it or even try to reject it because you were so embarrassed? Now that I read this back I've got to give this some background. The other day a little boy who I try to teach chess out of the blue gave me a book. How did he know? But it was a book I would really love to have. But it is an expensive reference book. I have seen copies of this book and some like it in libraries. But even most libraries will not have this specialized reference. I checked on a used bookselling site and the one copy that was available was going for $141. That's what I thought. How did this boy have this book? How did he know that I would love to look at this book? It's not about chess. I could not accept this book from this child. But I did enjoy spending an hour perusing it.

I was embarrassed that he would offer me such a book. I did not deserve it.

The disciple Thomas had an experience like that. (John 21:24+) Thomas blurted out a statement. He was disappointed that he was not there when Jesus came calling. Did he truly mean it? He was mad that he missed seeing Jesus. He wanted to be included. He certainly felt left out. Perhaps he was overstating his true feelings. Jesus called his situation doubting. Whatever it was Jesus heard his cry. He felt compassion on him.

Jesus met him right where he was. I suspect that Jesus coming to him specially, giving him a special gift embarrassed Thomas a lot. Thomas did not mean to be such trouble. Jesus came with compassion. And he told him to no longer doubt. I think Thomas was flustered. Nevertheless Thomas made the right response: "My Lord and My God!" I think this was a response of worship, of gratitude. I can vision him kneeling or bowing in awesome worship. He thanked Jesus for the personal gift.

Jesus uses this opportunity to speak prophesy to the ages, to us, to me: "Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed." Brothers, sisters he is speaking about us. We have never seen Jesus face to face or touched his wounds and yet we believed.

I feel that since I have taken the leap of faith or step of faith I have seen enough to believe in a way like Thomas did. I feel I have touched God through other Christians along the way, in the body of Christ, in the community of saints, in the presence of the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. My weak faith has been strengthened by what I have experienced. I identify with being personally encouraged as Thomas was. It should not embarrass us. God is glad to do it, he loves us that much.

Do you have personal experiences like Thomas did that keep you going, that are anchors for your faith? How has God specially loved on you this past week?