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Friday, October 12, 2012

Perfect Timing


Sixteen years ago, I wanted to take my son to Africa. A friend heard my story and sent me a check. I took my son to Africa.
A couple of months ago, I got an unexpected check. A friend of mine had a need. I remembered that story from sixteen years ago, and I decided to send my friend a check. Just after I’d decided to, but just before I sent it, my car had a nervous breakdown and needed a new clutch. My temptation was to clutch my check and fix my car, but I chose to trust God and I sent the check.
My mother and I prayed that the bill for the car would be an amount I could afford. When I paid all of the bills and settled all of the accounts, I had $3 left over – enough to get a tropicana koolatta and sit back and enjoy the grace of God.
As I pondered this, I sent my friend a text saying I wanted to take my new clutch for a drive and go visit her in February. She was happy, and explained that my text was perfect timing – she’d had a rough day, and God used me to cheer her up.
Today, I had another dr’s appointment. No bad news, but no happy dancing, either. The swelling in my hand will not go away. Ever. But, I only need one more surgery, and then we’re done. Done. Finis. Sort of happy, sort of not, I headed home. I stopped at the mail box on the way to my house, and found a letter from my friend, thanking me again for sending that text on that rough day. This time, it was her letting God work through her to cheer me up at just the right moment.
And I had to hurry up to the computer to write it all down before I forget…
that God has perfect timing,
that every action creates ripples that will return to you,
that cheerful words are more healing than doctor’s visits.
Thank you, Friend!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Even then


He Is There

I know for a fact that it isn't always easy to get through the day. That sometimes there's not
enough money to buy drier sheets and ketchup, so you go crinkly and staticky for a while. That
sometimes you just crave a McDonald's Happy Meal and wish things were different.
But even then, trust.
He is there!

Or how about when you're crying out for companionship, someone to talk to, someone to smile
at. Someone to hug you. It's tough being lonely. You want to make a phone call, or send a letter
-- to just connect with someone.
But trust.
Even then
He is there.

Or worse -- the times when you've got too much company. Things to do, places to be. Tasks to
finish, people to see. Time when you crave for a solitary minute. When you just wish the roller
coaster would end, the teacup would stop spinning, the people would stop asking -- just long
enough for you to take a break.
Trust.
Even then
He is there.

And the times when you wake in the middle of the night. Everything is dark and quiet. You're
alone with just your worries, doubts, anxieties, criticisms, and deepest, darkest fears. What if..
Why didn't... How... If only... Why?
Trust.
Even then
He is there.

Or when it's time to make a choice. Very simple -- yes or no. But the what ifs are heavy and
confusing. You just don't know which one to choose, though you do know that choice could
haunt you for the rest of your life.
Trust.
Even then
He is there.

On a bad hair day; a something green stuck in your teeth day; a Mom, I hate you day; a you really should have known better day; an I just can't go on day; an I regret to inform you day; an I can't find anything to wear day; a nothing feels right day; an itchy, sneezy, runny, fevery, coughing day; a day.
Trust.
Even then
He is there!