A Testimony of God’s Goodness

      For I know the thoughts

and

      plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts

and

      plans for welfare

and

      peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear

and

      heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for,

and

    require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11-14a).

On June 3, 2005 my husband, Everette, and I passed a milestone, our 50th wedding anniversary. There are times I feel as though I’ve been married all my life, and other times I’m sure that it couldn’t possibly be that many years. In the early years of our marriage I did not know God intimately. Today I know that I know He is a good God.

Everette and I are richly blessed. We give our heavenly Father all the glory for the longevity of our marriage. There were many bumps in the road, but we were always committed to God, to one another and to our children.

We are so thankful for our four children who hosted an anniversary celebration for us. God is good; children really do grow up and become responsible adults. They honored us with a beautiful party. It was a lovely celebration of God’s goodness! My heart overflowed with joy as I greeted people that I hadn’t seen in years. I was blessed by the love and fellowship of each and every one.

As I listened to the tributes given by our children, I asked the Father to enlarge my heart so I could contain the billows of joyful thanksgiving that were sweeping over my spirit. David, our only son, stood with his head held high as he expressed his love and appreciation for his parents. We have seen him gloriously delivered from twenty-eight years of addiction, and he now works in the ministry with us.

Renée Houser, our second child, a beautiful woman of few words, spoke from her heart. Then our baby girl, Lynn Sutton, who has five children, spoke about how we have been there for her and her husband during some rather difficult days. Finally, Terri Bone, who with the help of her brother and sisters organized the party, read a poem God had given her. The poem was a narration of our fifty (50) years together. There were tears and laughter.

There we were, a family – a dad, a mom, surrounded by children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, my mother-in-law and friends – with a lifetime of memories, and the best is yet to come. (Father, we ask You to give us more grace to receive the blessings You continue to release from the portals of heaven!)

Looking around I saw beautiful floral arrangements, stacks of gifts, tables loaded with wonderful food. There were friends and relatives seated at the round tables talking and laughing. Friends who hadn’t seen one another in years were greeting each other with hugs and gleeful voices. I observed a room full of history. How I wish that we could have taken time to hear the triumphant testimonies. Over the years there certainly have been conflicts here and there, but walking in the love of God was always our great quest and aim in life.

Each and everyone had walked through trials and tribulations victoriously. They are living witnesses of God’s goodness. Friendships continue to grow sweeter, and it is my desire that when you celebrate your next milestone in life you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). (1 John 1:3-5 AMP)

To God be the glory! Great things He has done! Our family stands together as a demonstration of the power of God released through Prayers That Avail Much®. God is a good God. Remember, His plans are for your welfare and peace — to give you hope in your final outcome.

Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2005


Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.

Continue to pray the Prayers of Commitment from Germaine’s Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative Edition and ask to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.