The Cloud

*   And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. Exodus 13:21

*   The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you." And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. Exodus 19:9

*   For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys. Exodus 40:39

*   He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them. Psalm 99:7

Theses are just a few examples in the Bible that the Lord has shown himself as a cloud.

The Israelites needed to see God in physical form so the Father showed up as a cloud.

There are times in our lives when we really need to see the Father and feel his presence all over us. This was me on the 11th & 12th of September 2020. It was a day I had been dreading. I began to seek the Father in my secret place for guidance and wisdom. I knew my 12 year old Jack Russell was declining in health and I knew I needed to put him down, but I didn't want to let him go. Bentley was my little baby so to speak, it's funny how animals have a way of capturing our hearts and showing us unconditional love. I knew the only way I was going to be able to let him go was through prayer. So, I began to pray to the father to give me peace about what I was about to do. I asked him to please send me a sign because just the bare thought of letting him go was literally ripping my heart out. God began to speak to me by grabbing my attention towards my phone. Immediately I heard a notification on my phone from my bible app. As simple as it sounds it mended my heart before it had the chance to shatter. I saw the verse "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

I knew what I had to do and I knew the Lord was with me. The next morning I called the Vet and arranged an appointment to have Bentley put down. He had been physically ill for years and was to the point of losing his bodily functions throughout the night and he seemed to be in pain more than not. I could not be selfish and I had too much respect for the love that he had given me for 12 years. I knew the time had come. I held him close to me before we went into the vet's office. I knew it would be the last time Bentley heard my heart beat and it would also be the last time I would feel his. As he took his last breath I looked at the clock and I knew God would have a word for me when I was ready, It was 10:50. Later that day I looked up scriptures for 10:50 and Mark was the first one that popped up. 

"And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus." Mark 10:50

This verse meant so much to me because I knew the inside meaning for me in this verse. You see, Bentley use to jump off the couch and he looked like Superman as he flew threw the air. We also joked about how he was flying with his cape as he would jump off of furniture. I knew then he was in the arms of Jesus. 

After we buried Bentley I stood on my front porch and asked the Father to let me see him again. I heard in my spirit "look up my child"! As I leaned my head back, to mainly prevent the tears from running down my face, I glanced up at the sky and saw this picture of my baby in the cloud. Little did I know God would lead me back to this picture four months later.  

My heart was so full of Joy seeing a cloud shaped like my Bentley. I was once again blown away at the Father's love for me. God never said we would never hurt or feel pain. What he said was "I will never leave you or forsake you" Hebrews 13:5.

I take great pleasure in knowing that even in my darkest and most painful moments I know he is with me. I can't do life with out him, I just want more. 

 Coach Emily.

 May you Rest In Peace my sweet Bentley!