He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. // Matthew 9:9
I shut the door on the cheery summer sun and walked down the dark, cool hallway. Escaping the bustle of an afternoon outside, I laid on my bed and closed my eyes, focusing on the way the ceiling fan pushed a gentle coolness onto my warm skin. Beginning with the bottoms of my feet, I began to evaluate the discomfort covering my body. I felt the pain in each area, the sharp discomfort in my hips, the ache in my back, the stiffness in my neck, and I enjoyed the way the pain seemed to escape into the comforting bed.
My moment of rest was broken by the voice of my husband. “Bonnie,” he almost whispered from the front of the house, “come here.”
I could tell by the tone in his voice that he was delighting in something he wanted to share with me. My still tired, still sore, still hot person did not want to go, but I trust my husband, and so I got up and followed the sound of his voice.
He stood before the picture window and turned to me with a smile. My flower bed was covered in butterflies—several deep orange monarchs, two black and gold tiger swallowtails, a red spotted purple, and multiple cabbage whites. They fluttered past fat bumble bees and two darting hummingbirds. It was glorious.
I compare that memory with the moment when Jesus said to Matthew, “Follow me.” I trust my husband because our relationship and his heart have shown me that he is worthy of my trust. So how did Matthew know to promptly get up and go after the Lord? Did he already know Jesus? Had he only heard of Him? I don’t know, but it seems obvious that Matthew was compelled to follow Him. And I am certain that what he saw was glorious.
Our Lord is inviting you to the same today. Are you ready to trust Him and follow?
Trust Him and follow. // Bonnie Engstrom Click to tweet
Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She lives with her husband and eight children in Illinois. Bonnie is the author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle which tells the story of her son’s miracle that was approved by Pope Francis for the beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen. She is the author of Blessed Conversations Mystery: Believe. Find out more about her here.
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