When I was little, I loved to sit on my dad’s lap and listen to him talk. Whenever I had a problem, or a hurt, he’d quietly give me words of wisdom on making it through life. Even as an adult, his sayings like, “They can bug us, but they can’t beat us,” gave me the smile and grit I needed to make it through tough situations.
I’ve often wished God spoke so plainly to me, not realizing just how often He does speak to me. Over 40 years ago God provided me with the opportunity to volunteer at a summer camp for girls in first grade through high school. After a couple years, I was driving through town and the most random thought came to mind. I thought, “If Sue ever asked me to be on the Board of Directors for the camp, I’d like to do that.” Later that week, Sue called and asked if I’d be willing to join the Board of Directors. God had prepared me to say yes. She offered me time to pray about it, but I told her God had already told me the answer. That “yes” was the beginning of over 40 years serving on three non-profit boards.
After my mother died, I needed to find a key that was somewhere in the house. I was overwhelmed by the task. So much stuff in the house, so many places where it could be, and only so much time to find it. One night, before going to bed, I prayed, asking God to show me where the key was. In the morning, I recalled the dream I’d had. I saw my mom, putting the key in her aunt’s sewing basket. Inside was a pine needle basket, a sample of old lace, my grandmother’s glasses, and the key. I walked downstairs to where I’d moved the sewing basket, opened it up, and there was a pine needle basket, a sample of old lace, my grandmother’s glasses, and the key.
Early last year, I told my Orthopedic Doctor that I thought my knee was causing me trouble walking. After a painful test and x-rays, he said it wasn’t my knee. It was my hip, and he sent me to a surgeon. Waiting for the appointment to see the surgeon took months. Waiting for the surgery took more months. The hip continued to deteriorate and at two months till the surgery I was doing less and less. Doctor visits were the only things that got me out of the house.
I am very grateful that my church has continued streaming our Sunday morning service. Watching and seeing the people worshipping together made me feel like I was there. It was the highlight every week for me. It also started me thinking about the names that showed up on the live stream who were also watching. I started praying for them. Most of us had the hope that we would be healthy soon and able to be in church, rather than watching it. However, I know some do not have that same hope.
Over the months of waiting for surgery, people came by, called, sent cards, and prayed for me. However, there were times when I was lonesome. Aching for the days when I could serve others as I was being served, tears would come and only God could change my despair. God taught me, through allowing me to experience it for myself, that there are others, brothers and sisters, who need me to remember them. I’m not cleared to drive yet, and I’m not walking long distances, but when I can, I’ll set up some friendly visits.
I don’t want to forget what God has taught me.
Taking It Further:
These are some of the ways that God has spoken into my life, but God speaks to each of us in many different ways. Has He been showing you ways to serve Him? People who need encouragement? Or perhaps people who do not need your judgment? Have you mastered the ability to listen when God speaks? Are you listening?