This last weekend we had our annual Amor do Pai (Father’s Love) conference here in Recife, Brazil and it was truly amazing to be a part of and to see the Father’s loving pursuit of His children. For those who don’t know, this is a conference that we here at Shores of Grace host annually for the region in great expectation of people truly encountering the loving embrace of The Father. We have seen God do many special things during these conferences and this year was no exception. There is just something so special and mind boggling for me when people truly encounter the Love of God but even more so when it is for the first time. It always causes me to pause and just reminisce in His Love for me.
At the end of the first night of the conference there was a time of ministry where our staff went up to the front and anyone who wanted to receive prayer or more of God was invited. Immediately God highlighted a man to me but I was nervous to approach him because I didn’t have a translator!! Story of my life… After a few moments I approached the young man and a woman immediately rushed up to me to fill me in on the situation. I could tell that she really cared about him and as I turned to look at his face I could tell that he needed some encouragement.
So without hesitation I began to speak my default language and began to explain to her that I didn’t speak much Portuguese and that we would need to wait for a translator. As I was fumbling these words out of my mouth I understood her telling me that this man wanted to accept Jesus! Either she was unimpressed or didn’t understand that I told her that I couldn’t speak Portuguese because she totally disregarded what I said and zealously motioned me closer to the young man. I asked him his name and he slowly lifted up his eyes to mine and I could see depths of shame, fear, etc.
It was then as if we were transferred into the story of the prodigal son and I was the Father. I began to see him as Jesus did and I felt the Father inviting me to embrace His son. Without hesitation I wrapped my arms around him and just invited the Holy Spirit to come. Immediately, he started to cry on my shoulder and I began to feel The Lord’s love being transferred to him through this embrace. After a few moments he lifted up his eyes again and I could literally see that something had shifted. It was as if his eyes were telling me everything that was going on in his heart and it overwhelmed me with joy.
I looked back over at the lady and she had the biggest grin on her face. It was as if she had been praying for this night to happen for a long time and she giddily began to tell me how this was her sons best friend and that this indeed was a very big moment! At this point we all had big grins on our faces and the young man began to slowly chuckle. I waved over a fellow staff member and explained the situation and we ministered to him for a little more time. As truth was being declared into his life I could just see hope flooding his eyes with a new sense of purpose.
We embraced once more and with tears in his eyes he just began to thank us. Afterward I couldn’t help but sit there and just ponder the Love of God. This is something that I have been praying and asking the Lord for. My heart is yearning to see people have real encounters with the Love of God to the point where it changes them. It changed me and I know that only He and He alone can reach in and take our broken pieces and make all things new!
That night, this man walked away with a brand new heart and God let me be a part of it!
Isn’t He good?
By: Robert Floyd
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