Hello there, I’m still here. It’s still Saturday, and I’m continuing to write. Unusual for me to sit this long, I know. It is stormy, cool, and writing is on my heart. With some cooking meals in between. 😊

As I wrote the first “Washed” blog, I didn’t make mention of our nation’s recognition of the loss of American lives on 9/11/2001. Those lives were no less important than Charlie’s life, or any life for that matter, but his sudden, shocking news was the primary topic at the moment. I want to make certain that those lost on that tragic day in our history were not forgotten nor unnoticed. I’m thankful that we live in a country that doesn’t forget and serve a God who continues His Love, Grace, and Mercy toward us. This side of Heaven, we may never know who the enemy used in this attack, but we know it was sifted through our Lord’s hands first, and He will use it for good. Nothing, no scheme, or evil devises slip by our Sovereign God! We can rest in that! Lord, please heal the many broken hearts, give them peace, and use this to bring them closer to You. Thwart the enemy’s schemes to destroy our nation and use it for Your Glory. Amen.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, the Lord allowed me to pray a blessing over someone at our hotel. This one revealed more of God’s perfect timing, even when we are unsure. This is how the event played out…

 I encountered a lady in the breakfast line who quickly offered to clean my accidental spill on the counter. I thanked her and told her how kind she was to do that. When she looked at me, I sensed a weariness about her, a sadness in her eyes. As I ate my breakfast, the Lord nudged me to pray Numbers 6:24-26 over her.  At that time, I thought she was another guest of the hotel. She had quickly disappeared, so I wondered why I had that nudge, because the opportunity seemed to have vanished as quickly as it came. So I went back to our room, where David was ready for us to check out. When we went to the front desk, there she was! She was an employee, not a guest! I thought then, “Ok Lord, my opportunity is back!”, only to realize she was very busy, way too busy for me to interrupt. By then, I was thinking, “Do I need another cup of coffee to hear You clearly, Lord?” 😊

Next, my husband and I moved our bags out front, where I waited for him to retrieve our car. During my brief wait, out steps the woman who needed the blessing. Wow! The timing was perfect! She had just finished her shift on the job, so I didn’t have to wonder anymore. I knew this was my opportunity to speak to her. I approached her and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, the Lord said you need a blessing. Do you mind if I pray for you?” She looked surprised, as you can imagine, and said “ok”. I seized the opportunity that was so timely given, took her hand, and spoke the words. “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.” As our eyes met, she gave a sigh and with a genuine tone of voice said, “Thank you, I really needed that.” I told her that the Lord knew, He sees her and loves her. We knew He had the perfect timing for our encounter. The Holy Spirit was there to give her a “wash” of His Love and care for her. I got to partner with Him for that “wash” as well. No need for a beach there, right?

Loaded and ready for our next leg of our journey…

As we were making our plans for this vacation, we were going to stop to visit old-time friends, Don and Linda, who live in Florida. Linda’s health was in a serious declining state. We knew she wouldn’t remember who we were, but he would, and could use the support. A short time before getting our date set for our trip, we got word that she had passed. We agreed that our timing to visit him would work out appropriately. He needed a little time before he was ready. So, we planned our visit during our trip back home. He was ready, as about four weeks had passed. As we visited, Don told the most heartwarming story of Linda’s passing that I will share with you. I consider it a gift from God, and so does he.

Linda was in the last moments of life under Hospice care. Her attending nurse was on one side of her bed, and Don on the other. Don was telling another story of his and Linda’s lives together. Over fifty years’ worth, so you can imagine how many the nurses had listened with kindness and compassion. Don said as he continued recounting another of his memories, the nurse raised her hand to stop him and pointed down at Linda. Don said in that moment, they watched her chest rise as Linda took her last breath and then stepped into the arms of her Savior. As peaceful as it has ever been witnessed. No pain, struggle, or fear, just crossover. You can imagine the comfort this has brought to Don. Now that is a gift!

We spent the rest of our time reminiscing about marriage, old times in the military, old friends, parenting, grandparenting, government (a little politics, we wanted to keep blood pressure healthy😊), our health, our church, and plans for our futures. Most of all, our topics brought us back to our Lord, so I’d say it was a good visit and perfectly orchestrated by our Lord. We even got to treat him to a fine dinner before our departure. God is good all the time, and every friend is a gift from God. Let’s work toward not taking them for granted, as we often do. As I stated in my poem titled Friends in “Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds”

“And if you’ve been blessed with one true friend,

   please don’t take them for granted…

For some day you might be left with only

   memories they have planted.

So lift up your hands to our Lord above and

   thank Him for your friends,

Chosen by God’s only Son, He’s overjoyed to send!”

Now, Friends, I want to close with the blessing over you that the Lord nudged me to speak over the women at the hotel (reminds me of the woman at the well).

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Blessing and Keeping, Favor and Grace, and Peace.

Thank you for allowing me to continue sharing the fruit of my reflection, meditation on God’s Word, and focus on God’s trustworthiness. Though the dark evil surrounds us, let those of us remaining be found faithful as the voice, hands, and feet (Body of Christ) to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great expectation as we are “washed” in His blessings, kept in His hands,  highly favored, covered by His Grace, and filled with His Peace going forward.

Thank you for continuing to read what I write and for your kind words in your comments.

I don’t take you for granted,

Reba

comments