Could I share something personal? God has been so good, and I feel I must tell you about it.
Late Friday afternoon I came back from a two-day retreat in the North Georgia mountains. Sandy was planning on coming with me but had previously committed to manning a station at the local hospital's "Health Fair." She could not keep her word to the hospital and still accompany me, so Thursday morning we kissed goodbye and I went to WinShape alone.
Friday, on her way to the hospital, Sandy's CD player clicked to a song by Steven Curtis Chapman about a husband's commitment to his wife during dark, uncertain days. (The song is "Go There with You." You can read the lyrics here. ) For no apparent reason, the Lord strongly impressed upon Sandy the thought, "You know that's how Jim feels about you. He will walk through anything with you." She didn't understand what that was all about; but it made a deep impression, and she knew it was coming from God.
A few hours later, during a lull in the Health Fair, Sandy decided to take one of the free tests for diabetes. To her shock the test came back positive. Not only positive, but apparently she has had diabetes for an extended period of time! That this had never been detected was unbelievable!
Only one who has received such unexpected news can really understand the distress and dismay that comes at such a time. Now she was beginning to understand the song and the Spirit's word to her earlier that morning. Yes, I would help her through this time . . . but I wasn't there. For several hours she would have to deal with this herself with God.
When I finally arrived home, Sandy quietly told me what she had learned. I reminded her that if she had not kept her word to the hospital she wouldn't have been at the Health Fair to take the test and she still would not know about her condition. What we had thought was a bad thing (her not going to the retreat with me) was really good (Romans 8.28).
She then told me that because she was there at that particular time she was able to connect with a Nurse Practicioner friend whose practice is about to begin administering the final round of tests on a promising new treatment for diabetes. Sandy will be allowed to participate, get two years of free treatment (worth many thousands of dollars), and actually be paid for every visit she makes to the doctor's office during the trials!
As we began to consider some other health issues that had been a mystery for the last few years, we realized that this diagnosis might explain a lot. It may turn out that treatment of the diabetes will solve several other problems for which there seemed to be no answer.
Having been apart for two days and having gone through the distress of the recent hours, I knew Sandy needed to get out of the house and go on a "date." Dinner and a movie sounded good, so we went to Chili's, ordered two "Guiltless Grill" selections (who knew you could make a burger from black beans?), and continued to talk about how we would proceed with this new turn in the road.
Near the end of our meal, Sandy remembered that she had a coupon for free desert. Any other day we would have jumped on that! But tonight we knew such habits had to change. Sandy got the coupon out of her purse, stepped over to the booth across the aisle from ours and asked if the couple there would like desert on us. They listened to a quick explanation and gratefully accepted the coupon.
Having finished the meal, I asked the waiter to run my credit card and bring me the bill to sign so we wouldn't be late for the movie. A minute later he brought the credit card back with no bill and said "It's all taken care of, sir. Thanks for coming!"
The couple across the aisle had paid our bill! We went over to thank them, and learned that they were both ministers. They shared some rather suspect beliefs about divine healing, but this was a time for celebrating the Love of God and the fellowship of His family, not the time for theological debate. How glad we were to be a part of the Family of God!
Certain that God our Father had planned every step and arranged for every meeting, off to the movies we went with minds at ease, assured that the Good Shepherd would lead us through every dark valley (Psalm 23).
Would you pray for us? We are facing some real changes and covet your spiritual support.
Thanks for letting me share this experience. I do it not only to celebrate the Love of God in my family's life but also to encourage you that, whatever YOU face today, God is with you. He will never leave you! He will never forsake you! And with Him all things are possible!
Please let me know how I can serve you.
Tags:
faithfulness, fatherhood of god, healing, providence
Posted at: 09:11 PM | Add Comment
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