For the Love of A Friend

 Late June of 2022, I received a phone call from a friend I had reconnected with about a year and a half ago. After the friendly greetings were over, she said she had something she wanted to ask me that was very important. I said ‘ok.’ She began with how long it had been since she had had a real vacation without her client and she was sensing a real need to get away. That was not new information to me because she had expressed those feelings many times before. 

Then she said, “Would you consider coming here and keeping my client for 10 days while I take that much needed vacation?”

Honestly, my heart sank and I began to want to back peddled out of that conversation. I was not expecting that question at all. She explained ever so gently that she would pay me her salary and I could bring Gracie, my dachshund, with me because her 3 dogs would be at the boarders. She promised to fill the refrigerator with food for both her client and me so I would not have to be concerned with bringing food for myself. 

Then she said, “Isn’t there a project you want to do around your house that this extra money would be good for? 

Then there was a pause and a silence until I could gather my thoughts.

I have never asked her how much I would make because that was never important to me. My concern was primarily for her client. Could I do or should I do what she was asking of me? I know her client but not well. It’s not that I thought I couldn’t do it so much as thinking that 10 days is a long time with a ‘non-verbal’ person, if you don’t know what you are doing. I had done one-on-one work before but this would definitely be out of my comfort zone for sure. My mind searched for a reason to say no as I quickly prayed, “Help me Lord!’ or more like “Rescue me here, Lord!.” but there wasn’t a reason or a rescue to be found. So moments later, I found myself saying ‘yes’ even though I wanted to say ‘no’. I could sense the surprise in her voice when I said yes so quickly. I told her “as far as I knew, I could do it.” She thanked me and said she would be in touch with more details as the time grew closer.

After I got off the phone, I began to pray fast and furiously. Lord, did I give the right answer? Is this Your will? If this is Your will, I will be fine but if it is not, then I need to talk to my friend again quickly. I don’t want to go where you have not sent me and cheat the person of the blessing who is, but I do know that ministry to others happens in all kinds of ways and I will go if you are sending me.

Within moments, the Lord brought to my memory Memorial Day just the month before, when my friend and her client had been over having grilled hamburgers. During the meal, my eye caught an object resting between us. When I reached down to pick it up, I realized it was a penny. I thought thatwas unusual and later put it on my desk for safe keeping. The penny on my desk was what the Lord was bringing back to my remembrance. It was unusual to find a penny right there and it was positioned closer to my friend. For years, finding pennies in unusual places has been a special language between Holy Spirit and I. Naturally speaking a penny means “one cent” but spiritually speaking it means “one sent”. The Lord was saying, “Even before you said yes, I had already made plans to send you in answer to her need.” Then I knew it was His will and a divine assignment for me. Even though I felt a little unsure of myself then, I knew He would provide all that I would need. I have learned from experience that obedience to His directions brings about the blessings. Peace and then excitement filled my heart.

As I have studied the book of Joshua in the last few weeks at my bible study class, I have learned what happened to Joshua several times when he did not make the time to ask God for wisdom and direction. He thought he knew what to do and that God would be with him to bring about the victory no matter what. Unfortunately that was not what actually happened. Before attacking Ai, Joshua listen to the human wisdom of his men on how to attack the city and it sounded like a wise plan to Joshua so he told his men to go ahead without consulting God first. When all was said and done, thirty-six Israelites had been killed, the rest ran way in fear, and there was no victory. The experiences of the Israelites in the Book of Joshua are so realistic and have much wisdom to offer us today. Human nature hasn’t changed much over time.

Sometimes like Joshua, we get in a hurry to make decisions on our own. “I can decide this one Lord!” we think with enthusiasm and confidence but then later find out we should have waited to respond until we prayed for God’s wisdom and direction. Events didn’t turn out the way we thought they would and we are left hanging our heads. In other words, asking God to bless our plans without first going to Him for His, can lead us into consequences we hadn’t prepared to face. Assuming what God’s will is, just because it “seems” wise to us and others, can get us into all kinds of trouble. The choices we make on an everyday basis matter over time. Learning to do things ‘with God’ instead of ‘for God’ can make all the difference. There is no substitute for spending time in His Presence seeking for His will.

So in August, I filled out the job application that my friend’s company was requiring and gave them a copy of my old resume (I have been retired for years), college transcripts and social security card so that I could be officially hired for both our protections. I got drug tested and attended all the training classes required. Those experiences were enlightening having been retired for a number of years. Seemed like a lot for just 10 days but then again I am thanking God this job will only BE for 10 days!

I am looking forward to ‘my new client’ and I know she is too because of how excited she acted last week when I showed up at her day care facility with my friend for a little bit of training. 

This Friday, I will start my new 10 day job and this time next week I will be halfway through God’s assignment. Please pray for me. Although I know I have prepared as best as I can, there is still a little nervousness because of “my” client being non-verbal. You can bet that Holy Spirit will be on speed dial every step of the way. But...no matter what I may encounter over those 10 days, God makes me aware that His wisdom and faithfulness are always by my side when I seek His counsel. And...I look forward to the blessings that are to come!

I want to leave you with this scripture:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And he shall direct your paths. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 

It will be health to our flesh, 

And strength to your bones.

Proverbs 3: 5-8

   UPDATE: God helped me through it all...and the tougher spots, He made smoother. My client and I enjoyed each other and even laughed at times. I rejoice in His faithfulness to us both. And my friend...she came back restored too. 

What Are You Expecting Of Me?

“I lost my job today,” Julia said with a sigh as she sat on the sofa beside me.

OH NO!” I replied. “What happened?”

“I was over $14.27 in my cash drawer. I don’t know how. I counted everything. And this was the third strike against me in this area. Three strikes and you’re automatically fired. I am a reliable worker and my manager thinks so too yet I am suspended until farther notice,” Julia said.

Faith began to rise up as I replied, “I know this situation looks impossible but I am learning nothing is impossible with God. Please give God a chance to work on your behalf and do not speak in negative terms about your job. Let your good character and work performance speak forth. I cannot promise anything. However, we will pray that God’s favor will triumph when your boss calls the corporate office. 

I am not sure Julia was actually on board with the idea at first but as we prayed, she seemed to relax and we sealed the deal with a hug.

The next day, I sat by Julia in church. During the praise and worship, the Lord spoke to me and told me to ask Julia this question:

What are you expecting from Me?

Knowing the Lord desired to teach Julia to trust Him with her job, I wrote the question on a scrape of paper and handed it to her. She read it, smiled, and hugged me again.

Later that afternoon, Julia received a call. Her boss had talked to the corporate office about the error. Corporate wanted to stay firm on the rules until Julia’s boss stressed that even with the error, Julia was still one of her most dependable workers. After hearing that plea, corporate decided to give Julia one more chance.

We both learned from this experience of trusting in God so with joy, we both celebrated the victorious news.

And now…as I take down the Christmas decorations, that same question keeps coming back, challenging me to walk closer to God this year. I know my heart wants to but how can that happen when my mind accuses me of unworthiness?

Then Jesus gently reminded me,

“My blood continuously cleanses you of all unrighteousness. There are no barriers keeping My favor away. When your mind accuses you of unworthiness, who is behind those lies? I desire to freely bless you with grace and favor beyond measure, if you will allow Me entrance into your daily situations.” Jesus held out His hand, “Come…let us walk close together in this brand new year.”

And so I ask you…

What are you expecting from Jesus this year?

Are you ready to change habitual thoughts and attitudes? Will you let go and allow God to work on your behalf? Favor does not come because of our abilities and righteousness. It comes because of our acceptance of His. Allow God to work on your behalf this New Year and watch the marvelous begin.

Best Friends Forever

My life-long best friend, Teri, has been here visiting me from Alabama for the past two weeks. We have been best buds since the second grade so you could say she knows me well! I feel so blessed that we have persevered through all the ups and downs of our relationship because today, long-term friendships seem so rare.

Teri and I both have been going through some tough times lately so we decided a nice long visit would be just the thing to get us going again. Teri had driven about an hour of the seven-hour trip, when she phoned me to ask me to pray. The rain was so bad; she could barely see what was ahead of her.

As I prayed, I asked the Lord to protect and guide her first. Then, I got to thinking about the situation and I got a little creative too. I told the Lord that I didn’t want the people who really needed the rain to miss out. So… I reminded God of the time He parted the Red Sea for Noah and the Hebrew people. I asked Him, if he could part the storm and lighten the rainfall along the interstate. I stretched my arms straight out in front of me, then parted them to show God what I meant. As I thanked Him, I went back to getting the house ready for my friend.

About 3 hours later, my friend, called me back to give me an update on her progress. The first thing she asked: Was I related to Noah? I asked what did she mean. Then she told me how the storms had parted and went to either side of the interstate so she was able to drive safely through. I said you are kidding me and began to laugh. Then, I told her how I had prayed about the situation. She thought I was kidding too but I assured her I was not. We both laughed as our hearts filled with joy as we realized what God had done.

Teri and I were amazed and blessed at our special answer to prayer. God knew exactly how to start our visit off on a positive note and help us begin to overcome the negative mindsets that had gotten us down lately. God didn’t stop there. As we talked and sought His will together, He preformed one miracle moment after another during the whole time Teri was here. By the time she left today, we were sad to part but confident that we had been renewed for the days ahead.

Are you developing friendships that will last the test of time? If not, I encourage you to do so. Friendships are so important to our overall well-being. A close friend can lift us up and out of our negative mindsets. They can also help us find our way back to God again. When we do things alone, it is drudgery. But, when have a friend beside us, we are empowered to move forward.

Preparing to Provide

God is thinking about and providing for your needs way before you even realize you will need anything. This was brought to my attention recently when I bought my new home. I was truly amazed.

Before I decided to buy the house, I went over to look at it many times. Judy was the one who met me there on each occasion. She was very friendly as she told me everything about the house I would need to know to make my final decision. At one of the visits, she began to tell me more about her in-laws who had built and lived in the house for over 20 years.

“Irene, my mother-in-law, died in the back bedroom about 18 years ago,” she said.

“Oh really.” I said with curiosity, “What year?”

“1993” she replied.

“What month?” I said with more curiosity  than before.

“October” she said.

“Wow…My husband died in November of the same year!” I said with surprise.

Moments later, the Lord spoke to my heart,

 “Even before your husband died, I was preparing a place for you.”

From those few words, I was lifted to a whole new level of love for the Father Himself as well as a new level of knowledge about His loving care. He had saved this property for me all those years until I was ready to receive it. I was blown away. Seeing God’s love and care manifested in this way was humbling. Quietly, I headed for the master bedroom, fell on my knees and cried with thankfulness. He had not abandoned me while I was in the desert learning obedience. He had been listening all along to my heart’s desires for a new place when the time came. Now…He was giving me all those collected desires in this one home.

There are two other items of interest to this story, which give it even more depth. First, the mother-in-law’s name was Irene. My mother-in-law’s name was Irene, too. Second, the former owner’s name was Howard. When I looked the name up later for it’s meaning, I found this:

HOWARD:

Language/Cultural Origin: English

Inherent Meaning: Chief Guardian

Spiritual Connotation: Discerning

Scripture: Psalm 37: 23 NKJV

     The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

           and He delights in his way.

I felt God had used Howard as a guardian over this home for the twelve years it remained empty after he remarried and moved out. Howard just couldn’t let it go. Judy said their family felt like they were saving the house for someone special. Others had tried to buy it but failed. Yet, when they met me, they felt like they had found that special person.

What promises and dreams have you been waiting on God to fulfill? He has not forgotten about you. God is listening and collecting all your heart’s desires whether it seems like it or not.  Though it may tarry wait for it. Then… when He is ready, He will bring them to reality as a precious gift of love.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. 

                       Ps. 34: 8