Friday, July 31, 2009

God is Never Late

My daughter, Elaine, just went back to Anchorage after a week here in Puyallup. I know it is hard for her to leave her home, her daughter, son-in-law, and other family members to go back to Alaska to work. Elaine didn't want to move to Alaska but when there was not adequate work for an Escrow Officer in Washington State, she followed the Lord's leading and took work where it was still available. She learned early in life that the best road to take is not always the easy one.

I recently read a statement by George MacDonald that said:
"I am content to be and have
what in Thy heart I am meant to be and have."
This made me think of Elaine when she was 16 years old. She had been invited to tour with one of the Northwest District Choirs. She learned the songs, practiced with the choir, made a record with the choir and then it was time to get her required money together. She worked hard selling records to family and friends until she had completely paid her tuition for the choir tour.

Elaine needed some pocket money to pay for a few meal stops not covered on the tour and other incidentals. The three of us prayed and prayed for the extra money but not one penny came in. Elaine's tour was meeting in Spokane. Our friend allowed us to charge the gas so we could drive her there. We didn't have even a dollar we could give Elaine for her trip. Don was pastor of a small church without a fixed salary. He received a percentage of the Sunday morning offering and sometimes it wasn't even a two figure amount. Our family had learned to pray and wait for God to provide, even sometimes for the food we were to eat.

Elaine understood our situation and assured us she would be fine missing a meal or two. She was so precious. She never complained but just thanked the Lord for the opportunity to go with the choir. I was really sad on the trip over the mountain. God had always met our needs and I could not understand why some miracle wasn't taking place for Elaine.

Chaos broke loose when we arrived at the church in Spokane. Kids, all dressed alike in the traveling outfits, were everywhere talking, laughing, choosing bus seats and loading luggage. Everyone was excited, including Elaine. Just as we were about to say our goodbyes, Don's sister-in-law from Moses Lake drove up. "I'm so glad I didn't miss seeing Elaine off", she said as she came up to us. "This morning the Lord laid it on my heart that I needed to meet you here", she continued. Shirley had driven almost a hundred miles to obey God's small voice in her heart.

Elaine came over to give us hugs. Shirley put an envelope in her hand as she wished her a safe and fun trip. We did not know what was in the envelope but we did know in our hearts that God had met our daughter's need.

I asked God to forgive me for doubting his provision. My 16 yr. old daughter had taught me what it means to "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4. She had decided "to be content whatever the circumstances." Phil. 4:11

I would prefer that Elaine didn't have to head back to Alaska but I have learned that God's "thoughts are not my thoughts, neither His ways my ways."Isaiah 55:8 He has a greater purpose for Elaine being away from her family and I trust my daughter to live out God's plan in her life. She has learned from many years of experience that "All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant." Psalm 25:10

Saturday, July 18, 2009

An Unforgetable "Independence Day" Weekend

Pop..Pop...pop pop...Pop....Boom! I sat straight up in bed for the "umpteen" time that night. The clock said it was 2:50 a.m. and I wondered when the 4th of July was going to end in my community. I could see there was no reason to try to sleep so I headed to my comfy chair in the living room and turned on "Nick at Night". I laughed for a while at Steve Irkel and gradually sleep overtook my tired body.

The bright sunshine coming through my living room window told me I had slept too long to make it to my usual Sunday services. I was sad that I had missed my Prime Time Class where I connect each Sunday with friends and with God. "I really wanted to go to church," I said out loud to God as I headed for the shower.

After getting myself dressed for the day, I realized the hunger pains were really getting strong. "I wonder if my family is at the new Mongolian Grill," I thought as I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. They eat there after church once in a while. After not seeing any familiar cars in the parking lot, I picked up some food at the Panda Express and started home to eat.

I was only a few blocks from home when the car in front of me stopped. I reached my foot up to put on the brake and the brake peddle jammed into my open-toe shoe, between my foot and the sole of my shoe. I kicked, pulled and did every thing I could to get my shoe untangled while I watched in horror as the car in front of me was getting closer and closer. I tried pushing the brake with my left foot just as I hit the car and my air bag activated. What a helpless feeling! I've never experienced anything like that before.

Sleep didn't come so easy the next few nights. Every time I closed my eyes, I re-lived the terrible feeling of approaching that car with no way to get my car stopped. I spent much time in prayer....praying that the nice young couple I hit would not have to go through much pain, praying that God would work out all the details of another car...praying that I could forgive myself and stop re-living the accident, and praying that I could get over my nervousness every time I drove the rental car.

"Father, I don't have any money to make car payments," I wrote in my prayer journal. "Please help me find a car for the meager amount of money my 96 Grand Marquis was worth. I gave it all to God and now I just had to trust Him for all the details. "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort, gave me renew hope and cheer." Pslam 94:19 (NLB)

As soon as Art, a car salesman from our church, heard about the wreck, he began to help me by researching what my car was worth and making sure the insurance company was being fair to me, as well as praying for God to help him find the right car for me.

God is so faithful. Four days after the accident, I was signing papers for just the car I needed. It was a one owner car in very good shape, had all the power equipment I needed to be comfortable, plenty of room to transport grandchildren, and the dealer let me have it for the price I was getting from my wrecked car. God met all my needs without me ever putting a foot on a used car lot.

I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of the Lord or the kindness of His people. I am so thankful that the Word promises us, "The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.: Psalm 34:17 (NLB)

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Celebrating our Freedom

Silence hung in the air around us. Except for the clicking of heels on the pavement, total reverence penetrated the still, hot air at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. Our family of four had joined other spectators to view the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The year was 1987. We were on a trip celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and Valerie and Sandra’s high school graduations.

I glanced across the massive manicured lawns with its hundreds and hundreds of tombstones. Tears threatened my eyes as I reflected on the many wives, children and other family members left alone while their loved ones died for our freedom. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for our military families, our free country and for my husband who had been one of the blessed ones to return from Viet Nam.

Today is July 4th. I was reading an article this morning about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. These men paid a big price for our freedom. Five of them were captured and tortured, twelve had their home ransacked and burned, nine died in the Revolutionary War. Others had to run for their lives, their wives and children were hurt. They lost their possessions and wealth. They had to sell their businesses and homes to pay off their many debts. These men gave so much for our freedom. Freedom is never free.

My mind goes to another man who gave his all for our freedom. He gave His life on a cross so we could be released from our sins. The Bible says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” (John 8:36 NLB)

We are blessed to live in America where we can celebrate Independence Day with our family and friends, as well as openly worship the one who truly sets us free. We have a beautiful warm day to enjoy ice cold watermelon, hearty laughter from family stories, or a sweaty game of ultimate Frisbee. Yes, we have the privilege of living our life however we choose. But to have true happiness in our freedom we must live according to the Word: “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil: live as servants of God.” I Peter 2:16