Time It Customer Service - Just In Time

We returned home from Shreveport after learning our healthy looking, healthy acting son had been diagnosed with cancer. Before leaving Shreveport that Friday for the long trip home my husband, Lee, had the oil changed in our car.

After an emotional roller coaster weekend of knowing our God is faithful, but facing hard possibilities, Monday morning came - and with it a "Customer Service" phone call from the Time It Lube in Shreveport...."not a good time for this" I thought. Oh, but it was.

The gentleman from Time It was so kind and when he heard that our son wasn't well immediately asked if it was okay to Pray!! Wow, was it OK!!! And did he Pray and encourage and Pray some more.

I am certain our Awesome God heard his words, and subsequent prayers this "Special Agent" from the Lord has prayed. I am also convinced that God uses His children to bring about on earth what He has already decreed in Heaven.

This whole story is to remind me, and maybe you, as well, that God gave us each other as great gifts to each other straight from His heart... Our part is to listen and obey - even if it means taking a Customer Service call - that moves Heaven and blesses hearts. This "Special Agent" continues to follow up and pray and encourage by reminding us of God's Promises.

You Never Know Who Reads

A friend of mine had an amazing Facebook experience. In light of bad press with so much of our social networking, this is heartening:

You know how many of us will post a snippet on Facebook each morning—a Scripture with a comment or two? Many do it, and often people will post a reply: “I love that verse” or “Wow, I really needed that this morning.” It’s heartening to know someone is being blessed by something we posted. A woman contacted me recently. Here's her reply:

I’ve been reading your devotional posts. You have no idea how God has used the things you say to speak to my heart. I’m a Christian but I’ve been struggling with depression. and afraid to tell anyone because they would condemn me and say my faith wasn’t strong enough. Three days ago, I planned to end my life. I wanted out. I couldn’t struggle against the depression any more. I had already made plans but I read your devotional post about God granting peace in the middle of pain and conflict, and that my adversity wasn’t bigger than God. That evening after work I had a choice. I could follow through with my plans or not. Before I did anything, I pulled out my Bible and read the passage you posted that morning. I realized that God didn’t condemn me for my depression and I poured out my heart to Him. He said it wasn’t time for me to come Home yet. Thank you for letting God use you.

Isn't our God amazing? In this Easter week when many hearts are tender and receptive, choose carefully how you walk and speak; and choose what your FB post says. You never know who reads it!

Can You Hear Me Now?

Our pastor friend, Devin, sent us this amazing story!



The Africa project was great. God seemed to be working at every turn and every word. It was a really great, but hot time. One day, we went to a little village to visit a very sick girl, Fatu, with plans to take her to see a doctor. When we arrived, she was in bad shape, just next to death. Here was a 16 year old girl who looked 12, her arms no bigger than two stalks of celery. We tried to explain to her parents that if she stayed there she would die, but if we took her to the hospital, there was a chance she could live. The local witch doctor had given her drugs--turned out this was good or she would have been in a great deal of pain.



Paul, the missionary accompanying me, tried his cell phone to call his wife because she spoke the language better. Maybe she could convince the parents to let Fatu be taken to the doctor. Even though there was no cell service in the area, from that little room-- the call went through! Despite Susan's pleas the parents insisted the girl was tired, and they were too, and she should stay home. We were heartbroken.



Paul sat on Fatu's bed, stroking her hair, and she reached up and began playing with his phone. She put it to her ear and pretended to talk. I told Paul to call Susan back. Again there was no cell service in the area, and again the call went through. I told Susan we would put the phone on the girl’s ear and Susan could tell her about Jesus.



Here in this tiny, dimly lit, tattered room, Susan was able to tell the girl about Jesus while all these Muslims stood around and watched, not knowing what was being said since Fatu was listening though a cell phone. Susan asked a bunch of questions: Do you believe Jesus can save you? Do you want Him to? Do you want Him to forgive you of your sins and make a home in heaven for you? On and on. Susan said she quoted John 3:16 to Fatu, saying, “For God so loved Fatu that He sent His only Son…” Each time, Fatu answered ‘Wow’, which is Yes in the Wolof language.

There was a young man in the room that spoke the best English in the village. Our missionaries had been talking to him for quite a few months. As Fatu finished with the phone, she asked us to pray for her, she asked the young man to pray for her. He did and wept as he prayed. This is very, very unusual in that culture for a Muslim man to pray and show emotion in public. I prayed aloud as well, but only the three of us, and God, understood my English. It was a very moving time. As we left their small home, Paul tried to make another call. There was no phone service.

God's Touch

Mary stepped from the van and heard her ankle pop. Thankfully it wasn't a break, just a nasty sprain. After several weeks and therapy it grew stronger. Then, months later, another misstep pulled at the stretched ligament. She couldn't locate her ankle brace, so she wrapped it in an Ace bandage. However, the pins to hold the bandage in place were lost. Mary made do with a safety pin.

Arriving at Bible study a tad early, Mary slid the bandage tighter and told a friend about her ache. The friend suggested prayer! So when others arrived, the group gathered about Mary and prayed, after annointing the injured area with oil.

Later Mary related, "During our study, I felt a warmth creep over my ankle. I knew God had healed it." And He had! She's not had to use a bandage or anything to stabilize her foot. Our God is good, all the time!

He showed His mercy to Lew Shaffer Sunday night. Lew's wife, Sandy, happened to call during our prayer meeting time. She asked us to pray that Lew might have pain relief. Since his back surgery, he's suffered because he cannot handle pain medications well. So our group prayed. And Lew had the best night's sleep he's had in weeks. Thank You, Jesus for Your faithfulness.