Recently a friend gave birth to a pre-mature daughter. She weighed in at 2 lbs and 1 oz. She is so tiny but we are reminded how God made all the delicate, inner parts of her little body. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by her creator. (Psalm 139:13,14)
Thinking about little Olivia Faith brings back memories of my firstborn. Don and I had been married almost 5 years when we got the news we had been longing for. We were going to have a baby and the due date was June 1st, her daddy's birthday.
Don and I loved children. We had met at a children's church camp. We had worked at the Assemblies of God National Children's Home where we were dorm parents to 15 boys and girls, ages 6-9. At the time of our good news, we were foster parents to two little brothers from Germany that we loved like our own sons. Alfred and Peter, ages 5 and 3 were excited for the coming baby.
On Easter Sunday, April 9th, I had a hard day. I had so much back pain that I could hardly sit in church. I cooked dinner for several of Don's family members and at one point I went outside, leaned against the house and cried out to God to help me with the intense pain. The pain kept me up most of the night and so Don drove me to the doctor on Monday morning. To our surprise, I was completely dilated and our baby was coming 7 weeks early.
Sandra June (named after my two sisters) weighed in at 4 lbs. They rushed her away after she was born and I didn't get to see her for two days. (They did things much different in l967.) Don would look at Sandra through the nursery window and try to describe her to me. "She has dark hair....she has eyebrows....she even has fingernails on her tiny fingers," he relayed to me with excitement. He was so fascinated with how perfectly she was made.
After a few days, the doctor told us Sandra had a 50/50 chance to make it. She wouldn't suck and they were having trouble with all the tubes she was hooked up to . We lived 25 miles from the hospital but every day we would go to look at her through the nursery window. She looked so small and pitiful.
On the third week after Sandra's birth, I received a call from our doctor. He informed me that Sandra was not doing well and her chances of survival had gone down. Don was at his swing shift job and I had no one to talk to but the Lord. I looked at the crib set up in our room, and fell across the bed crying with groans from my deepest being. At first I begged God to heal my baby but before the night was over I had to give her back to God and ask His will to be done. The next morning I could tell by Don's eyes that he too had done battle in his heart for a big part of the night.
After breakfast we headed to the hospital. I was leaning against the nursery window with tears streaming down my cheeks when our Pastor walked up. He asked us to join hands. He took Don's hand and laid his other hand on the nursery window and began to pray in Jesus' name for our little angel. The presence of the Lord was so strong and I knew God had touched our daughter.
Later that day I had an urgent feeling that I had to get back to the hospital. Don said, "Honey, there isn't anything you can do but stand there. We'll go again in the morning." I couldn't get it out of my heart that I had to get back to the hospital. Don made arrangements for a neighbor to pick up Alfred from school and we headed back to the hospital in Moses Lake.
As soon as we walked up to the nursery window, a nurse came out and told us a wonderful thing had happened. Right after we left that morning, Sandra's feeding tube had clogged. When the nurse took it out, Sandra started a sucking motion. They tried giving her a bottle and she drank some formula. She looked so peaceful sleeping in her bassinet without her tube.
From that day forth, Sandra started to gain weight and when she was 26 days old, the doctor let us take her home weighing 4 lbs 15 oz. For the first time since her birth, Don and I held our little girl in our arms. No words were said, but we both knew in our hearts that this little one was God's gift, given to us to raise.
The Bible says, "Children are a gift from the Lord: they are a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3 (NLT) Sandra has definitely been a special reward to me and I am eternally grateful for God's healing power that made it possible for me to have her these 43 years.
My heart goes out to little Olivia Faith and her sweet family. Every day I call her name in prayer because I know "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Power of Love
Today is Valentine's Day. I was thinking about LOVE and what it has meant in my life...the love of a great God, of a loving mate, of wonderful family members and delightful friends. My life has been saturated with LOVE. I began to think of a Valentine's Day over 30 years ago when I learned about a young girl in her early 20's that had never experienced unconditional love. That Valentine's Day will always have a special place in my heart.
The story of this young lady began a week before Valentine's Day. It was a typical Sunday afternoon. Don and I were taking a little Sunday afternoon quiet time and Sandra and Valerie were riding their bikes in the church parking lot which separated our parsonage from the church. A car pulled into the parking lot and a young lady asked the girls if the church was unlocked. "No," Sandra answered, "but I can go get my dad and he will open it for you." The lady didn't say anymore but just drove away. The girls continued to ride their bikes.
"Hintz's Residence," Don answered the phone after the rings interrupted his reading. "Is your church unlocked?" a very distressed sounding voice asked, catching Don by surprise. "It's locked but I'm available to unlock it," Don responded. "Could you tell me why you need to get into the church?" "I just want to sit in there," the sad voice quietly answered. As Don continued the conversation on the phone I stopped writing my letter and sat listening. "Where are you calling from?" Don asked. She said she didn't know for sure, but she was somewhere in Seattle by a Safeway store.
All of a sudden, Don blurted out, "You are one of the Smith (name changed) girls, aren't you?" The caller gasped. She was caught off guard because Don had not seen her since she was a young pre-teen attending our church. After she finally admitted that she was Jean, Don told her that I would be very disappointed not to get to talk to her. He handed me the phone and whispered for me to keep her on while he went to look for her.
Jean had been in my Sunday School class in the little church we pastored at the foot of Mt. Rainier. I loved that little "tom boy" that tried to be tough but was really very sensitive and loving. I kept her talking on the phone until I heard Don's voice and the phone hit the side of the booth. God had laid it on Don's heart that she wasn't in Seattle but was at the corner Safeway store by our house in Des Moines. He approached her in the phone booth and convinced her to come back and sit in the quiet church. We left her alone to cry, scream, pray, or whatever she needed to do to bring peace to her troubled soul.
When she was finally ready to tell us her story, we realized the miracle God had performed to get her to our home where we could support and help her. She was in trouble with the law and headed to jail in a week. The court had given her this week to take her two month old baby to her folks and then report back to the jail. After dropping off the baby she headed up I-5 towards Seattle, planning to keep going on to Canada and skipping out on jail. She was very distraught. As she drove, she began to think about the only place she ever felt peace was in church. She pulled off the freeway at the next exit and came up the side road looking for a church. She passed several churches, getting out and trying the doors, but they were all locked and empty. She then came to our church where she talked to the girls. Suddenly she remembered that the Hintz's (the only pastor she had known) was supposed to be in the Seattle area so she headed to a phone booth to look for our phone number. God was watching over her because we were not listed in the Seattle phone book, only the Des Moines one. She found our number, thinking all the time she was somewhere in Seattle.
With love and God's help, we convinced Jean to go to jail and do her time. We spent most of that week with her getting to know her better, assuring her of God's love and forgiveness, as well as our love and commitment to be there for her. All four of our family member fell deeply in love with Jean and hated to see her go.
February 14th was the day Jean was required to check herself into jail. Don and I drove her the hour and half to her destination. We gave her a Valentine Card assuring her of our love and commitment to visit and be there for her anyway we could. I gave her my "Living Translation" Bible which was well marked. We left Jean and a part of our hearts at that jail. I remember how the weather changed and we had to drive home in a treacherous snow storm and it just went along with the turmoil we were feeling in our hearts. I Peter 1:22 tells us "...to love one another deeply, from the heart." Don and I found it easy to love Jean deeply. She had definitely won our hearts.
When we arrived home, we noticed an envelope on the back seat. It was a card from Jean thinking us for showing her what unconditional love is all about. She said she had never experienced it before. "Lord, help us to show her that unconditional love begins with You," Don prayed out loud as we headed into the house.
David tells us in Psalm 103:8-10 "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." I am so thankful for this promise. I vast in His abounding love and often need His forgiveness.
Jean paid the penalty for her poor choices, put her life together, and has been a model citizen every since. She is no longer just a friend but a vital part of our family. I think it is time for me to give her a call and wish her a happy "love" day.
The story of this young lady began a week before Valentine's Day. It was a typical Sunday afternoon. Don and I were taking a little Sunday afternoon quiet time and Sandra and Valerie were riding their bikes in the church parking lot which separated our parsonage from the church. A car pulled into the parking lot and a young lady asked the girls if the church was unlocked. "No," Sandra answered, "but I can go get my dad and he will open it for you." The lady didn't say anymore but just drove away. The girls continued to ride their bikes.
"Hintz's Residence," Don answered the phone after the rings interrupted his reading. "Is your church unlocked?" a very distressed sounding voice asked, catching Don by surprise. "It's locked but I'm available to unlock it," Don responded. "Could you tell me why you need to get into the church?" "I just want to sit in there," the sad voice quietly answered. As Don continued the conversation on the phone I stopped writing my letter and sat listening. "Where are you calling from?" Don asked. She said she didn't know for sure, but she was somewhere in Seattle by a Safeway store.
All of a sudden, Don blurted out, "You are one of the Smith (name changed) girls, aren't you?" The caller gasped. She was caught off guard because Don had not seen her since she was a young pre-teen attending our church. After she finally admitted that she was Jean, Don told her that I would be very disappointed not to get to talk to her. He handed me the phone and whispered for me to keep her on while he went to look for her.
Jean had been in my Sunday School class in the little church we pastored at the foot of Mt. Rainier. I loved that little "tom boy" that tried to be tough but was really very sensitive and loving. I kept her talking on the phone until I heard Don's voice and the phone hit the side of the booth. God had laid it on Don's heart that she wasn't in Seattle but was at the corner Safeway store by our house in Des Moines. He approached her in the phone booth and convinced her to come back and sit in the quiet church. We left her alone to cry, scream, pray, or whatever she needed to do to bring peace to her troubled soul.
When she was finally ready to tell us her story, we realized the miracle God had performed to get her to our home where we could support and help her. She was in trouble with the law and headed to jail in a week. The court had given her this week to take her two month old baby to her folks and then report back to the jail. After dropping off the baby she headed up I-5 towards Seattle, planning to keep going on to Canada and skipping out on jail. She was very distraught. As she drove, she began to think about the only place she ever felt peace was in church. She pulled off the freeway at the next exit and came up the side road looking for a church. She passed several churches, getting out and trying the doors, but they were all locked and empty. She then came to our church where she talked to the girls. Suddenly she remembered that the Hintz's (the only pastor she had known) was supposed to be in the Seattle area so she headed to a phone booth to look for our phone number. God was watching over her because we were not listed in the Seattle phone book, only the Des Moines one. She found our number, thinking all the time she was somewhere in Seattle.
With love and God's help, we convinced Jean to go to jail and do her time. We spent most of that week with her getting to know her better, assuring her of God's love and forgiveness, as well as our love and commitment to be there for her. All four of our family member fell deeply in love with Jean and hated to see her go.
February 14th was the day Jean was required to check herself into jail. Don and I drove her the hour and half to her destination. We gave her a Valentine Card assuring her of our love and commitment to visit and be there for her anyway we could. I gave her my "Living Translation" Bible which was well marked. We left Jean and a part of our hearts at that jail. I remember how the weather changed and we had to drive home in a treacherous snow storm and it just went along with the turmoil we were feeling in our hearts. I Peter 1:22 tells us "...to love one another deeply, from the heart." Don and I found it easy to love Jean deeply. She had definitely won our hearts.
When we arrived home, we noticed an envelope on the back seat. It was a card from Jean thinking us for showing her what unconditional love is all about. She said she had never experienced it before. "Lord, help us to show her that unconditional love begins with You," Don prayed out loud as we headed into the house.
David tells us in Psalm 103:8-10 "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." I am so thankful for this promise. I vast in His abounding love and often need His forgiveness.
Jean paid the penalty for her poor choices, put her life together, and has been a model citizen every since. She is no longer just a friend but a vital part of our family. I think it is time for me to give her a call and wish her a happy "love" day.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Facing the Unknowns
Sandra jerked the cord and the bus pulled over to the curve to let us off. We crossed Fourth Ave. and started walking down the dark road by the old Kingdome. "I'm scared," Valerie whined as she grabbed on to my arm and snuggled in close. Sandra took hold of my other arm and we headed down the pitch black four blocks to First Ave. "Just hang on and walk fast," I told the girls, trying to be braver than I really was. "We will be at Denny's soon and we can wait inside until Dad's bus comes."
It was Christmas Eve of 1976. Sandra was 10 and Valerie 8. Don was working, driving the evening shift of his Metro Bus. We wanted to be with him so we road a bus from our home in Des Moines and now were walking over to catch him on his route.
The lights around Denny's were a welcome sight but as we drew closer to our destination, to our surprise, Denny's was closed. A sign on the door read, "for the first time in the history of Denny's we are closing early on Christmas Eve and being closed on Christmas Day." I looked up and down So. First Ave and let up a silent, "Help, Lord." We still had 40 minutes before Don's bus was due and this was the scariest place I had ever been at 11:00 p.m. There was not a place anywhere within sight that we could go if we needed help...no phone booth....and no place to hide. We were all alone at a dark bus stop.
"Mom, I'm cold, Valerie shared as she snuggled close to me. I unbuttoned my coat and pulled it around a girl on each side of me, hoping to shield them some from the wind that was sending a chill right through us. "I'm so sorry, girls, Dad and I thought we'd have a warm place to wait for his bus," I confessed through shivering teeth.
The time went by slowly as we waited in the cold dark night. I would hold my breath every time a car went by, hoping they wouldn't notice us and stop. A few times it looked like the car was slowing down but God had heard this mamma's prayer and protected us.
All three of us became excited when we could see the lights of a bus in the distance. The girls left the warmth of my coat and began to jump up and down in excitement. All fear was gone....the night didn't seem as cold....the one we loved and were waiting for was pulling his bus over to the curb. My heart skipped a beat when the bus door opened and Don unbuckled his seat belt and stood to welcome us into the safety of his arms.
Today is New Year's Day....a new year....a new decade. It's so easy to get caught up with the scary things that face us this year. My mind goes to a friend facing her first year as a widow after being married 56 years, another friend facing the unknowns of her husband's recently diagnosed cancer, and a young couple that 's renting out their home they love and moving back with mom and dad to try and ride out the financial crisis of their business. Sometimes in the dark, scary night it's difficult to remember we have one who promises to be there for us.
I've often wondered how Mary, as a teenage girl, faced the unknowns of being impregnated by the Holy Spirit and given the responsibility of raising the "Son of God". The Scripture says, "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." (Luke 2:45)
Is facing the uncertainties of a New Year as simple as believing what we have been told? Psalms 91:14,15 (The Msg.) says, "If you'll hold on to me for dear life, says God, I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, and then throw you a party."
Don, the girls, and I had a great Christmas Eve. The bus was empty so the four of us sang Christmas carols to the tops of our voices. We chatted and played games and enjoyed the "gift" of being together. Soon Don's route was finished and we headed to an all-night cafe for an early morning breakfast. It was almost 4 a.m. when we arrived home. Don turned on the Christmas tree lights and laid down four sleeping bags by the tree. We all crawled in and let the blinking lights of the tree and soft classical music lure us into dreamland. We were safe....we were warm...we were loved...and thoughts of the scary evening was gone from our minds.
The unknowns of this New Year are not so scary when we stand on the promises of God's Word and believe that, "The eternal GOD is our refuge, and underneath us are HIS everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27 personalized)
It was Christmas Eve of 1976. Sandra was 10 and Valerie 8. Don was working, driving the evening shift of his Metro Bus. We wanted to be with him so we road a bus from our home in Des Moines and now were walking over to catch him on his route.
The lights around Denny's were a welcome sight but as we drew closer to our destination, to our surprise, Denny's was closed. A sign on the door read, "for the first time in the history of Denny's we are closing early on Christmas Eve and being closed on Christmas Day." I looked up and down So. First Ave and let up a silent, "Help, Lord." We still had 40 minutes before Don's bus was due and this was the scariest place I had ever been at 11:00 p.m. There was not a place anywhere within sight that we could go if we needed help...no phone booth....and no place to hide. We were all alone at a dark bus stop.
"Mom, I'm cold, Valerie shared as she snuggled close to me. I unbuttoned my coat and pulled it around a girl on each side of me, hoping to shield them some from the wind that was sending a chill right through us. "I'm so sorry, girls, Dad and I thought we'd have a warm place to wait for his bus," I confessed through shivering teeth.
The time went by slowly as we waited in the cold dark night. I would hold my breath every time a car went by, hoping they wouldn't notice us and stop. A few times it looked like the car was slowing down but God had heard this mamma's prayer and protected us.
All three of us became excited when we could see the lights of a bus in the distance. The girls left the warmth of my coat and began to jump up and down in excitement. All fear was gone....the night didn't seem as cold....the one we loved and were waiting for was pulling his bus over to the curb. My heart skipped a beat when the bus door opened and Don unbuckled his seat belt and stood to welcome us into the safety of his arms.
Today is New Year's Day....a new year....a new decade. It's so easy to get caught up with the scary things that face us this year. My mind goes to a friend facing her first year as a widow after being married 56 years, another friend facing the unknowns of her husband's recently diagnosed cancer, and a young couple that 's renting out their home they love and moving back with mom and dad to try and ride out the financial crisis of their business. Sometimes in the dark, scary night it's difficult to remember we have one who promises to be there for us.
I've often wondered how Mary, as a teenage girl, faced the unknowns of being impregnated by the Holy Spirit and given the responsibility of raising the "Son of God". The Scripture says, "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." (Luke 2:45)
Is facing the uncertainties of a New Year as simple as believing what we have been told? Psalms 91:14,15 (The Msg.) says, "If you'll hold on to me for dear life, says God, I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, and then throw you a party."
Don, the girls, and I had a great Christmas Eve. The bus was empty so the four of us sang Christmas carols to the tops of our voices. We chatted and played games and enjoyed the "gift" of being together. Soon Don's route was finished and we headed to an all-night cafe for an early morning breakfast. It was almost 4 a.m. when we arrived home. Don turned on the Christmas tree lights and laid down four sleeping bags by the tree. We all crawled in and let the blinking lights of the tree and soft classical music lure us into dreamland. We were safe....we were warm...we were loved...and thoughts of the scary evening was gone from our minds.
The unknowns of this New Year are not so scary when we stand on the promises of God's Word and believe that, "The eternal GOD is our refuge, and underneath us are HIS everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27 personalized)
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Amazing God Ordained Day
It's 7:00 pm on Sunday evening and I am home. I had planned to be in church. Sunday night services are always incredible and I hate when I miss them. For some reason I have been quite tired today. I went to our Prime Time Class and Celebration Live Service this morning and later this afternoon I sat down to read the Sunday paper. My eyes got tired and I dozed off and didn't wake up until it was too late to go to church. I couldn't believe how long I had slept sitting up on my loveseat.
I was reminded of another time in my life when I was extremely exhausted. I didn't think I could make it through the day but that day ended up being one of the most amazing God ordained days of my life.
Don was the pastor of a small church in Packwood. I was very pregnant with Valerie. I had been up all night with 2 yr. old Sandra, who had the stomach flu. About 6:00 a.m. she finally went to sleep and I was faced with an unusually busy Saturday ahead of me. I knew if I lay down I would never get everything accomplished.
Don had left at 4:00 am for his paper route and when he returned home he would need to prepare for Sunday services. We had a missionary family coming for the morning service and they would be having lunch with us. The house had to be cleaned, the food prepared, the soiled sheets and clothes washed, everyone's Sunday clothes ironed and I was too tired to know where to start. I made myself an egg and piece of toast and sat down at the kitchen table to eat. "God, please give me supernatural strength for today so I can get all my responsibilities accomplished," I prayed when I blessed the food.
About 7 am I was gathering up the dirty clothes and loading the washing machine when I heard a quiet knock on the door. Sis. Hanson, one of our senior citizens was standing at the door with a couple of bags. "I saw your light on and wanted to bring these over before you got too busy today," she said. "I woke up early and was in a baking mood. I thought you could use these for lunch tomorrow." The bags held two apple pies and home made dinner rolls. I gave her a hug and told her she was God-sent.
Before I got back to the washing machine, the telephone rang. Bro. Morton, another senior citizen from our church was on the line. "Sis. Hintz, when my wife was having her devotions this morning she felt the Lord told her to do some ironing for you today. I'll be over in a few minutes to pick it up for her." He hung up the phone before I could catch my breath to respond. I went to my overflowing ironing basket and pulled out two white shirts for Don, a dress and set of play clothes for each of the girls and a cotton Sunday dress for myself. When Bro Morton arrived and took one look at the small bag he laughed saying," I know you have more ironing to be done than this. My wife won't be happy with me if this is all I bring home. She was looking forward to having something to keep her busy today." I was embarrassed to give him such a large pile of ironing but I knew I couldn't argue with him....or with God. "I'll bring these back later today," my dear friend hollowed as he opened his car door.
I finished putting the clothes in the washer and was pulling out cleaning supplies when there was another knock on the door. Bro. McCullough, one of our deacons and our neighbor across the street was standing with a bag. "We butchered last week and I thought you could use a nice beef roast for Sunday lunch tomorrow," he announced. "My wife included some potatoes and carrots in the bag to go with the roast." I was choking back the tears while saying thanks when I saw two of our teen girls walking towards the house. Bro McCullough greeted the girls as passed on the sidewalk.
"Sis. Hintz can we stay here for awhile till our dad picks us up?" Elayne asked. "Sure," I responded while pulling out the dusting supplies and vacuum cleaner. "You look tired," Liz said. I told them about being up all night and the work that still lay ahead of me. Elayne looked over at Liz and then said, "We'll clean your house for you. Just tell us what you want done and you can go take a nap for awhile." I didn't argue. I gave them instructions and told them to call me when Sandra woke up. I don't think I even remember hitting the bed.
I didn't wake up until the late afternoon. The house was completely quiet. Sandra wasn't in her room. The clothes were folded on the dryer, the house was clean and there was a note on the table. The note said, "Thanks for letting us clean your house. We had a good time. Sis. Hanson put Sandra in the stroller and walked into town with her. She'll bring her home later. Pastor is in his office at the church. See you tomorrow. P. S. Sis. Hanson brought you some homemade soup and corn bread for dinner."
With the note still in my hand I slowly sat down in the rocking chair. I felt rested, the house was clean, food and dessert was available for Sunday's lunch, dinner for that night was on the stove, my ironing was being done and Sandra was being spoiled by her adopted "grandma". "Lord, I just asked for supernatural strength to get my work done," I prayed, "but you had another plan. You nudged a whole circle of your children to bless their Pastor's wife today." I felt like a small child that had just crawled up in her daddy's lap for a big hug. Tears of thanksgiving flowed freely as I sat alone in the quiet house.
"Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."(NLT) I had plans tonight but things didn't turn out the way I expected. I can't help but wonder why this story came to my mind 40 yrs after it took place. Does someone need to be reminded to "Cast all their anxiety on Him because He cares for you?" I Peter 5:7 (NIV) I can tell you from personal experience.... our Father really does care for His children.
I was reminded of another time in my life when I was extremely exhausted. I didn't think I could make it through the day but that day ended up being one of the most amazing God ordained days of my life.
Don was the pastor of a small church in Packwood. I was very pregnant with Valerie. I had been up all night with 2 yr. old Sandra, who had the stomach flu. About 6:00 a.m. she finally went to sleep and I was faced with an unusually busy Saturday ahead of me. I knew if I lay down I would never get everything accomplished.
Don had left at 4:00 am for his paper route and when he returned home he would need to prepare for Sunday services. We had a missionary family coming for the morning service and they would be having lunch with us. The house had to be cleaned, the food prepared, the soiled sheets and clothes washed, everyone's Sunday clothes ironed and I was too tired to know where to start. I made myself an egg and piece of toast and sat down at the kitchen table to eat. "God, please give me supernatural strength for today so I can get all my responsibilities accomplished," I prayed when I blessed the food.
About 7 am I was gathering up the dirty clothes and loading the washing machine when I heard a quiet knock on the door. Sis. Hanson, one of our senior citizens was standing at the door with a couple of bags. "I saw your light on and wanted to bring these over before you got too busy today," she said. "I woke up early and was in a baking mood. I thought you could use these for lunch tomorrow." The bags held two apple pies and home made dinner rolls. I gave her a hug and told her she was God-sent.
Before I got back to the washing machine, the telephone rang. Bro. Morton, another senior citizen from our church was on the line. "Sis. Hintz, when my wife was having her devotions this morning she felt the Lord told her to do some ironing for you today. I'll be over in a few minutes to pick it up for her." He hung up the phone before I could catch my breath to respond. I went to my overflowing ironing basket and pulled out two white shirts for Don, a dress and set of play clothes for each of the girls and a cotton Sunday dress for myself. When Bro Morton arrived and took one look at the small bag he laughed saying," I know you have more ironing to be done than this. My wife won't be happy with me if this is all I bring home. She was looking forward to having something to keep her busy today." I was embarrassed to give him such a large pile of ironing but I knew I couldn't argue with him....or with God. "I'll bring these back later today," my dear friend hollowed as he opened his car door.
I finished putting the clothes in the washer and was pulling out cleaning supplies when there was another knock on the door. Bro. McCullough, one of our deacons and our neighbor across the street was standing with a bag. "We butchered last week and I thought you could use a nice beef roast for Sunday lunch tomorrow," he announced. "My wife included some potatoes and carrots in the bag to go with the roast." I was choking back the tears while saying thanks when I saw two of our teen girls walking towards the house. Bro McCullough greeted the girls as passed on the sidewalk.
"Sis. Hintz can we stay here for awhile till our dad picks us up?" Elayne asked. "Sure," I responded while pulling out the dusting supplies and vacuum cleaner. "You look tired," Liz said. I told them about being up all night and the work that still lay ahead of me. Elayne looked over at Liz and then said, "We'll clean your house for you. Just tell us what you want done and you can go take a nap for awhile." I didn't argue. I gave them instructions and told them to call me when Sandra woke up. I don't think I even remember hitting the bed.
I didn't wake up until the late afternoon. The house was completely quiet. Sandra wasn't in her room. The clothes were folded on the dryer, the house was clean and there was a note on the table. The note said, "Thanks for letting us clean your house. We had a good time. Sis. Hanson put Sandra in the stroller and walked into town with her. She'll bring her home later. Pastor is in his office at the church. See you tomorrow. P. S. Sis. Hanson brought you some homemade soup and corn bread for dinner."
With the note still in my hand I slowly sat down in the rocking chair. I felt rested, the house was clean, food and dessert was available for Sunday's lunch, dinner for that night was on the stove, my ironing was being done and Sandra was being spoiled by her adopted "grandma". "Lord, I just asked for supernatural strength to get my work done," I prayed, "but you had another plan. You nudged a whole circle of your children to bless their Pastor's wife today." I felt like a small child that had just crawled up in her daddy's lap for a big hug. Tears of thanksgiving flowed freely as I sat alone in the quiet house.
"Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."(NLT) I had plans tonight but things didn't turn out the way I expected. I can't help but wonder why this story came to my mind 40 yrs after it took place. Does someone need to be reminded to "Cast all their anxiety on Him because He cares for you?" I Peter 5:7 (NIV) I can tell you from personal experience.... our Father really does care for His children.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Is That You Speaking, Lord?
Today a serviceman came to change my phone over to another company. I was excited over the good deal I was getting but yet I felt a check in my spirit. "Lord, if this is not the right thing for me to do, please show me," I prayed before he arrived. As the serviceman was looking for hook-ups I asked him if this was the regular cost of bundling the phone and internet. Without hesitation he said, "O, this is just a promo. In three or six months it will be more than twice this amount." No one had told me this was just a promotional price.
I must have looked confused because the nice gentleman said, "Are you sure this is what you want to do? It will cost you big to change it back in several months if you can't afford the regular amount." I knew this was the Lord leading me to stay with what I have.
I'm so grateful that God can see the future and He knows what is best for us. I remembered an incident that happened right after Don passed away. A lady (I didn't know her very well) came up to me after church one Sunday. She handed me a sympathy card and then she said," I don't want you to think that I'm crazy when you see the amount I put on the check inside the card. I wanted to take it to the even amount....in fact, I did that, but I felt God was telling me to write it for this uneven amount so I tore up the check and rewrote it. Now, I'm just trusting I was really hearing the Lord." I gave her a hug and thanked her for listening to the small voice inside her.
When I arrived home, I looked at the check. It was for $74.26. "Lord, I know you have a special purpose for this check," I prayed, "so I'm going to put it in the drawer and wait for you to show me what it is for." At the end of the month my bills were coming in. When I saw my gas bill, it sounded familiar. I ran to the drawer and pulled out the check and the tears began to flow. The bill was for the exact amount of the check, $74.26.
On Sunday morning I put the bill and the check in my purse. As I was walking across the parking lot after church, I saw the lady who had given it to me. When I showed her the bill and check she fell into my arms sobbing uncontrollably. We stood there, both crying, unable to say anything except, "Thank you, Jesus!
I discovered this situation was not only to meet my needs but God was meeting a need in the life of my new friend. She shared how she had been discouraged, depressed, and couldn't seem to connect with God. She cried out to Him, "Please show me that you are there....that you care." The next day she read that Don had passed away and her heart was touched. She remembered how he had greeted her in the foyer at church and how his joyful spirit always lifted her up.
When she chose a card to give to me God spoke loud and clear in her heart to write me a check for $74.26. The incident not only showed her that God was there, but also assured her that she could still hear His voice. It also was exactly what I needed to help me through the next three months when I didn't have any income. I knew God was taking care of me...and He did.
I'm a little disappointed that I won't have long distance, calling ID or the eleven other amenities (whatever they are) that the new company promised but there is no amount of amenities that can take the place of PEACE in my heart because I have followed the Lord's leading. I am learning to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding. I want to seek His will in all I do and then know He is directing my paths." Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT personalized) Is that You speaking, Lord? Your daughter is listening.
I must have looked confused because the nice gentleman said, "Are you sure this is what you want to do? It will cost you big to change it back in several months if you can't afford the regular amount." I knew this was the Lord leading me to stay with what I have.
I'm so grateful that God can see the future and He knows what is best for us. I remembered an incident that happened right after Don passed away. A lady (I didn't know her very well) came up to me after church one Sunday. She handed me a sympathy card and then she said," I don't want you to think that I'm crazy when you see the amount I put on the check inside the card. I wanted to take it to the even amount....in fact, I did that, but I felt God was telling me to write it for this uneven amount so I tore up the check and rewrote it. Now, I'm just trusting I was really hearing the Lord." I gave her a hug and thanked her for listening to the small voice inside her.
When I arrived home, I looked at the check. It was for $74.26. "Lord, I know you have a special purpose for this check," I prayed, "so I'm going to put it in the drawer and wait for you to show me what it is for." At the end of the month my bills were coming in. When I saw my gas bill, it sounded familiar. I ran to the drawer and pulled out the check and the tears began to flow. The bill was for the exact amount of the check, $74.26.
On Sunday morning I put the bill and the check in my purse. As I was walking across the parking lot after church, I saw the lady who had given it to me. When I showed her the bill and check she fell into my arms sobbing uncontrollably. We stood there, both crying, unable to say anything except, "Thank you, Jesus!
I discovered this situation was not only to meet my needs but God was meeting a need in the life of my new friend. She shared how she had been discouraged, depressed, and couldn't seem to connect with God. She cried out to Him, "Please show me that you are there....that you care." The next day she read that Don had passed away and her heart was touched. She remembered how he had greeted her in the foyer at church and how his joyful spirit always lifted her up.
When she chose a card to give to me God spoke loud and clear in her heart to write me a check for $74.26. The incident not only showed her that God was there, but also assured her that she could still hear His voice. It also was exactly what I needed to help me through the next three months when I didn't have any income. I knew God was taking care of me...and He did.
I'm a little disappointed that I won't have long distance, calling ID or the eleven other amenities (whatever they are) that the new company promised but there is no amount of amenities that can take the place of PEACE in my heart because I have followed the Lord's leading. I am learning to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding. I want to seek His will in all I do and then know He is directing my paths." Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT personalized) Is that You speaking, Lord? Your daughter is listening.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Paint Job
I looked up this morning and saw a nice size cobweb hanging on my bright yellow wall. I decided it was time to get the dust mop and rid my home of unwanted guest. As I cleaned I had an overwhelming gratefulness pour over me as I remembered God's faithfulness in helping me get my home painted two summers ago.
Heating by wood is not the cleanest means of warmth. The inside of my house really needed a good paint job. I asked God to help me figure out how to get it done. The estimates I had received from painters were not in my budget. I wrote my request in my prayer book and prayed about it all summer but it was as if God hadn't heard me. Winter came and my walls were still dirty.
The next spring I wrote the request in my prayer book again and asked God to please lay it on someone's heart to help me. I had all kind of ideas on who might be able to help me but I knew from experience that it is best to keep quiet and let God take care of it.
On June 24th, I received an email from a man I hadn't seen in many years. His daughter had been in my daycare when she was young and now she was grown and married. The email said, "Hi, Pat. Jim B. here. Was just talking with Lynn and we would like to send a work blessing crew to your home. This would be crew of 4 adult men, three of whom are working their way through various addictive/destructive behaviors....good guys that made wrong decisions. Let me know how this group of hard working guys could help you....inside or out....all different skills are represented. We will handle all cost of this."
I sat in shock for a few minutes. I would never have guessed in a million years who God had chosen to help me. Jim, Lynn, and the men came early one morning and by the end of a long day they had primed and painted the inside of my home, as well as made some other needed repairs.
While the men were painting, I told them stories of how God had miraculously taken care of me. Jim later told me that God had not only brought us together to get my house painted, but also because these new Christians needed to understand how much God loves His children.
I asked Jim what made him call me. He said while he was doing his devotions, God spoke to his heart to give me a call. God put together a man wanting to serve, a widow desperately needing help, and some young men trying to get their lives together, even though we lived an hour and a half away from each other. What an awesome God!
The Bible says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 The year earlier, when I so desperately wanted to get the paint job accomplished, God knew about three young men that needed another year to get their lives ready to hear a grandma's stories. I am not a patient person, especially with spiders in spider webs on my walls, but I pray that when it comes to waiting on God, I can learn to say, "But I trust in you, O Lord: I say, 'You are my God'. My times are in your hands...." Psalm 31:14,15
Heating by wood is not the cleanest means of warmth. The inside of my house really needed a good paint job. I asked God to help me figure out how to get it done. The estimates I had received from painters were not in my budget. I wrote my request in my prayer book and prayed about it all summer but it was as if God hadn't heard me. Winter came and my walls were still dirty.
The next spring I wrote the request in my prayer book again and asked God to please lay it on someone's heart to help me. I had all kind of ideas on who might be able to help me but I knew from experience that it is best to keep quiet and let God take care of it.
On June 24th, I received an email from a man I hadn't seen in many years. His daughter had been in my daycare when she was young and now she was grown and married. The email said, "Hi, Pat. Jim B. here. Was just talking with Lynn and we would like to send a work blessing crew to your home. This would be crew of 4 adult men, three of whom are working their way through various addictive/destructive behaviors....good guys that made wrong decisions. Let me know how this group of hard working guys could help you....inside or out....all different skills are represented. We will handle all cost of this."
I sat in shock for a few minutes. I would never have guessed in a million years who God had chosen to help me. Jim, Lynn, and the men came early one morning and by the end of a long day they had primed and painted the inside of my home, as well as made some other needed repairs.
While the men were painting, I told them stories of how God had miraculously taken care of me. Jim later told me that God had not only brought us together to get my house painted, but also because these new Christians needed to understand how much God loves His children.
I asked Jim what made him call me. He said while he was doing his devotions, God spoke to his heart to give me a call. God put together a man wanting to serve, a widow desperately needing help, and some young men trying to get their lives together, even though we lived an hour and a half away from each other. What an awesome God!
The Bible says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 The year earlier, when I so desperately wanted to get the paint job accomplished, God knew about three young men that needed another year to get their lives ready to hear a grandma's stories. I am not a patient person, especially with spiders in spider webs on my walls, but I pray that when it comes to waiting on God, I can learn to say, "But I trust in you, O Lord: I say, 'You are my God'. My times are in your hands...." Psalm 31:14,15
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Comforter Set
I just finished changing the sheets on my bed. I can't believe how much harder that chore is now than it use to be. I don't have as much strength in my hands and back but with endurance and taking my time, I get the job accomplished.
My comforter is pretty heavy. I'm very grateful for its warmth on cold winter nights. It's not a pattern I chose but it's the one God gave me and I'm thankful for it. You probably raised your eyebrows when I said my comforter came from God....but that is exactly where it came from. It was the answer to the simple prayer of a widow in need.
About a year after the passing of my husband, I was making my bed one day. "I think I'll take this comforter to the laundry mat for a good washing," I said out loud to myself. When I folded the comfortable over I noticed that it was pulling apart at the seams. In fact, there were some pretty big holes on the back side. I realized the comforter Don and I had used for many years had seen its better days. I pulled the covers back up on the bed, walked to my desk and pulled out my prayer book. "Lord, I really need a different comforter set," I wrote. "This one won't take another washing. You know I don't have money for a new one so please show me what to do."
A few weeks later, Valerie called me. "Mom would you like to have a new comforter set for your bed." she asked? I was so stunned by her question that I could hardly speak. It seems that one of our Pastor's wives had re-decorated her master bedroom and was planning to sale her used comforter set on Ebay. As she was getting ready to list it, the Lord spoke to her heart to give it to Valerie. She assumed the Lord was saying Valerie needed it for her new guest bedroom.
Valerie didn't need the bed set. She knew immediately that the set was for me. I had not told anyone about my prayer but Val had noticed the deteriorating condition of my comforter. When she brought the set over, I showed her my recent prayer request and we rejoiced together for God's provision. The comforter was the right size, the right colors, in perfect condition, and it was definitely within my budget...free!
Sometimes it may seem petty to ask the Lord for the little things in our lives but the Bible says,"You do not have, because you do not ask God" James 4:3 Just like a child ask his daddy for something he needs, we can ask our Heavenly Father and wait for His timing in providing.
There have been times since I've been living alone that I find myself fearful at night. I crawl under my "gift from God" and remind myself, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 As I pull my comforter up under my neck I am assured that my Father is watching over me.
My comforter is pretty heavy. I'm very grateful for its warmth on cold winter nights. It's not a pattern I chose but it's the one God gave me and I'm thankful for it. You probably raised your eyebrows when I said my comforter came from God....but that is exactly where it came from. It was the answer to the simple prayer of a widow in need.
About a year after the passing of my husband, I was making my bed one day. "I think I'll take this comforter to the laundry mat for a good washing," I said out loud to myself. When I folded the comfortable over I noticed that it was pulling apart at the seams. In fact, there were some pretty big holes on the back side. I realized the comforter Don and I had used for many years had seen its better days. I pulled the covers back up on the bed, walked to my desk and pulled out my prayer book. "Lord, I really need a different comforter set," I wrote. "This one won't take another washing. You know I don't have money for a new one so please show me what to do."
A few weeks later, Valerie called me. "Mom would you like to have a new comforter set for your bed." she asked? I was so stunned by her question that I could hardly speak. It seems that one of our Pastor's wives had re-decorated her master bedroom and was planning to sale her used comforter set on Ebay. As she was getting ready to list it, the Lord spoke to her heart to give it to Valerie. She assumed the Lord was saying Valerie needed it for her new guest bedroom.
Valerie didn't need the bed set. She knew immediately that the set was for me. I had not told anyone about my prayer but Val had noticed the deteriorating condition of my comforter. When she brought the set over, I showed her my recent prayer request and we rejoiced together for God's provision. The comforter was the right size, the right colors, in perfect condition, and it was definitely within my budget...free!
Sometimes it may seem petty to ask the Lord for the little things in our lives but the Bible says,"You do not have, because you do not ask God" James 4:3 Just like a child ask his daddy for something he needs, we can ask our Heavenly Father and wait for His timing in providing.
There have been times since I've been living alone that I find myself fearful at night. I crawl under my "gift from God" and remind myself, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 As I pull my comforter up under my neck I am assured that my Father is watching over me.
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