... the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
When I returned to the kitchen table to journal, I saw a text message on my cell phone, my colleague Cara asking me if I wanted to help at a lead-gathering table at the LA Fitness gym. The Mary Kay Foundation gives millions of dollars for research into cancers that affect women, so during Breast Cancer Awareness month, Cara's setup would include informative brochures that show breast self- exams and promote mammograms. It was 6:30, and since the event was from 8-10:00, I needed to get hopping. After giving the dogs their morning time out, and finishing my journals, I landed upstairs. Then I saw another text message from a young friend: "Good morning, Dana! I'm praying for you, hope you're ok! Love, Bonnie." She had taken a further step than the other dozens of prayer warriors posting on my wall--she made a personal connection. And God was very busy in my behalf today, easing my troubled mind with blessings in answer to all of those prayers. As James 5:16 says,
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] avails much.
More sweeteners from the Lord came my way. My hairdresser and I had a nice time of sharing, and the straightener she used didn't even hurt beyond a mild sting. That's a first in about 50 years! Two new product orders came in, one of them at the optician's office where I picked up my new contact lenses for half the price I had expected. I then had a precious text from a daughter-in-law about visiting Steve with our son. I was able to assure her that Steve will be overjoyed to see him, and her, of course. Speaking of Steve, he was deep asleep, napping so peacefully when I dropped by, that I couldn't bear to wake him. The attending caregiver said that Steve was really tired, so all was well. "For lo, He gives His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2). Rest beats agitation any day!
God wasn't done yet! On my way to pick up my forgotten datebook from Cara's porch, I spotted a "Vons Discount" gas station on a corner I don't usually pass, though it's fairly close to Steve's residence. That's good news, because in these days of exorbitant gas prices, 20 cents off per gallon is a real Godsend! Thank You, Lord, for that discovery!
Upon returning home, I had a note from a dear friend, Honey, my mentor in Bible teaching from 30 years ago. She just had her 80th birthday up in Squim, Washington. A widow for the last few years, she wrote me that she starts each day saying, "Lord, thank You for the 53 years I had with Joe." Honey's still teaching me...
I'll close with the verse my mentor and sister closed her note with, Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV):
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will joy over thee with singing.
Communication face to face is the best, but I guess technology rocks. I got comments on Facebook and my blog after my recent hospitalization and that meant so much. Phil. 2 talks about looking after the interests of others which I try to do by reading your blog and praying for you and Steve on Fridays.
ReplyDeleteI am mailing you a book as we planned also, as it finally came from the author. So interesting. Her home is simplified and she is able to be a Christian writer.
Hugs,
Carol