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