(Be sure to always click on all pictures) My first day of jet lag in Rome was spent resting beside the Bank of Italy’s beautiful (and enormous) swimming pool. My host was Walter, who had become a dear friend as, together with Stefania, we shared the Lord’s love with young Afghanistan refugees at a train station in Rome many years ago. To listen to these young men tell their stories of witnessing the Taliban murder their families and of their harrowing escape from such terror was extremely heartbreaking. However I was so thankful, so very thankful, to be able to share with them the most powerful story of all, the story of Hope for the brokenhearted, found only and abundantly in the Lord’s healing love for them.
When storm clouds gathered above, Stefania and I left the pool and began our hurried walk to her car. However I was immediately arrested by a beautiful sculpture of an angel entitled, La Vittoria. As my heart pauses when a verse of scripture “jumps off the page” of God’s Word, I paused there and listened. Jesus brought 2 things to my mind: my daughter Victoria, and His victory in my life over all my fears. So I prayed even more earnestly for Victoria, and I profusely thanked Jesus for His victorious resurrection Spirit that set my heart free from so many lies that had bound me – free to always hear His words of truth and love comfort and guide me. When I finally turned and walked away I knew there would be more thoughts placed in my mind about this wonderful encounter. Jesus always repeats Himself when His Spirt speaks deeply into our spirit to assure us it is His voice we are hearing…