Memorial Box Monday from my cell phone as we drive thru the very windy desert. Sweet technology. Dw took a few much needed days off….so we are headed for a bit of family fun.
But I thought I would tell a short story that I’ve wanted to share forever. It’s a different sort of story. Because it’s a story of God providing a pleasure through ordinary friends. It seems appropriate on the heels of all the folks who are in the midst of bringing home treasures and linked up a few days ago. Of course their needs are not for pleasure! But their needs will be met through ordinary people demonstrating God’s love. People like you and me.
When we were pastoring in Virginia my Multiple Sclerosis had gotten really bad. I was in Charlie (my wheelchair) alot or on the couch. I clung to the walls for balance and support…and I always had my cane close. I planned everything so that I could accomplish the most optimal things, like home schooling. There was no strength for extras.
Now let me just say, I love flowers. Love.Them. And flowers outside our home are my favorite. To me, they make our home inviting. They speak of sweet, simple beauty.
Anyway, being so sick in those days left planting flowers out of the question. But Almighty God loves to bless us. He loves to give us the secret longings in our heart.
One day, without ever saying a word to anybody, my friend, Sharon B, called. She said, “Linny, Raymond and I have been talking and we want to come plant flowers outside your home. You decide where you can see them most often and we will come and plant a garden for you.” I get tears thinking of their kindness. Random. Who thinks of that kind of stuff? Only people who are hearing God whisper to them to minister to someone else.
Sure enough, they showed up one day and planted a boatload of flowers out my favorite window. Bunches of flowers. And I will never, ever, ever forget one of the kindest gestures ever bestowed upon me in all my years. Without anyone asking.
Thoughtful God working through thoughtful friends. Love in action. Unconditional.
So very grateful forever.
How about you? Are you a friend who loves without persuasion? Who listens to His whisperings and ministers to those around you?
Beautiful story. Made me smile as I head off to bed. Thankyou for sharing. have a great few days away. xxx
I would like to share a similar story of God using others to bless me. I was really down and I was praying that I really needed to hear something, anything from Him. The next day I was doing my walk and asked Him who I needed to encourage today. A friend who had just lost her son came to mind and I called her and she said she was just about to call me because she had a dream and in the dream she was suppose to relay a message to me and the message was "I love You". How Faithful is He?
Terrific story Linny! I've had a few of those experiences lately of God answering a secret desire. He is so good and we are so blessed. Thanks for sharing this story with us and for the reminder it brings to write my own stories like this down!
It's times like this that remind me, "Oh yeah, I should be praying more!" Lol. It's so easy to forget that God cares about the little things that are important to us, no matter how silly or petty we may think they are.