Conference

I think it was early Fall when my eyes spotted an announcement for Kathy Troccoli's conference "Among Friends" being held at a local church in the spring. I called my friend to see if she wanted to join me. We ordered our tickets and waited. Weeks went by quickly, even if it was the longest winter I ever witnessed. Then the weekend was here. To be honest, as the weekend approached I had mixed thoughts. I was still excited and glad I was going, but I also had many things to accomplish and thinking of those things made it harder to think about sitting for several hours in a service. However, I still went. It was pouring rain on Friday as I drove and I got wet going to and from the garage and then the parking lot to the church.

I found my seat and settled in for the evening. It was a two day event. I would be returning in the morning as well. The evening went by quickly. I was glad I went. It was nice. I had a headache all day from allergies and weather changes. I was distracted, but still thankful I went. I woke up several times during the night with the headache still very present. I prayed I could still be able to go. Within minutes of my hot shower, my headache was leaving. I got ready and went to the church. Met my friend, took my seat, and hoped the headache was finally gone. The next three and half hours went by quickly. I felt great. I thanked God for taking the headache away. I also know that Satan didn't want me at the conference and he wanted me distracted. He was almost successful. But I had prayed that Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I asked the Lord to clear my mind and help me focus. I knew I was to be there. I just wasn't sure why.

Friends, He loves us. He loves you. He knows you and he knows what you need when you need it. The conference was an answer to prayer. The theme was planned out months in advance. The speakers were chosen for that moment. I needed time with my Savior. I needed reminded He is real. I needed a moment where if I reached out I would touch him. I needed refreshed. I needed a new spark. My life is busy right now and I have not been in His word for weeks. I have read highlights. But being in the word to me is highlighting, taking notes, praying, asking questions, and searching for answers.

As I listened to the guests share their hearts and speak Truth I made the connection that God had quietly been speaking to me for weeks. He had some things I needed to hear again and again. I needed to hear how much He loves me. I needed to be with sisters in Christ who had one purpose and one purpose only. To draw us closer to Him and not them. One of her guests was Karen Kingsbury. I could write many things, but I want to keep this shorter this week. She read a poem that she wrote for her kids. It is about if I had known it was going to be the last time would I have enjoyed it more? It was about those times we tucked them in for their last nap, we washed that jersey for the last time, we helped with homework, etc. It ends with the child heading off to college.

That is where I am at right now. Many of you reading this have done this and many more will be doing it in years to come. We have twin daughters and there have been times when we have had to deal with two at one time. Most times it is awesome, but a few times it makes it harder because there are two. This is one of those times. We don't have older and younger, we have same age. So we do it once. We get one shot. Both are graduating. Both are getting ready to live adult lives. I truly couldn't be happier or prouder. I could write many things, but I was struggling this week. I was dealing with the haunting questions of did I do enough, did I say the right things at the right time. Did I finish the list of things we wanted to do before this day came? On and on. As Karen read her poem, the tears ran down my face. It was my heart. Did I enjoy the time God gave me with these two precious girls? They will no longer be under our direct control. They are adults. They have proven themselves ready and so we celebrate. Life has changes. I hate change. Yet, good comes with change. I can't live with regrets. I need to embrace the future and be excited. My heart felt lighter.

The final speaker was Donna Van Liere. She is the author of the "The Christmas Shoes". She spoke truth. The kind of truth we don't hear often enough. She reminded us that we need to be reading and knowing God's word. Many will be deceived. Many will seek, but few will be chosen. She reminded us many saw Christ heal. But few were chosen to go into the room to heal the daughter of Jairus. Two to be exact. She also reminded us that we are no longer sickened by people breaking God's moral code. In other words, nothing shocks us anymore. We are becoming numb to what society does. We also allow people to water down God's word to meet our needs. We read the verses we want to read. Do we know His Word and then in turn recognize when it is being changed? She spoke of two people who were desperate to see/talk to Jesus. They were so desperate they didn't care the consequences for doing so, and believe me they were serious consequences.

I walked away on Saturday, refreshed, renewed and excited. I want to be chosen. I want to live a life that if Christ had to pick a few people to join him in a miracle experience that I would be found worthy enough to be chosen. I want to know His Word, so when I come across the watered down versions I can flee. I want to be desperate. I want to be so desperate for Him, that I will serve Him regardless of the consequences.

Why do I share are all this? Why should you care? It was my experience, it was my challenges, it was my weekend. True. However, the same can happen to you. I want to encourage you to take the time to spend with Him. Go to the bible studies. Listen to the worship music. Dust off that bible and dig in to it. Write your own commentary on a book of the bible and share it with others. Tell what you are learning. Pray. Pray for protection from the enemy. He can't steal your soul, but He can distract you and make you feel weak. Trust. Trust with all your heart that where you are and what you are going through is for a greater purpose. I needed this weekend. God knew I would months ago. He had me see the small advertisement announcing it. He met me with the needs I had. 

Have a blessed week and I pray you will find some quiet time with him. He is waiting to shower you with His power, presence and His love. Seek Him and you will find Him. Ask and it will be given. He is crazy about you!

Just a Set Back

I am not sure where you live, but where I live we have had strange weather this week. We have had almost 80 degree type days only to then have a low of 20 at night. We even had snow one evening this past week that covered the grass. I am not one to complain of the weather too much. I don't even follow it very much. I feel it is going to do what it is going to do, whether I follow or not. However, I am so done with winter. I am tired of gloves, boots, and coats. I am ready for open windows and flowers. Flowers give so much color. That is what this week's post is about. If you have been following me for awhile you will remember my post from last year about my secret garden. My own garden of Eden to me. If not, feel free to pull up old blog posts and read it. I will not repeat myself for those that have read it. However, I will say that each spring since I moved several years ago, there is a patch of woods that I cherish. The entrance to it has a weed that blooms early spring and it is golden yellow. To me, it reminds me of "streets of gold" that are mentioned in scripture when thinking of heaven. I have no idea if that is literal, or not, but either way I am reminded of the streets of heaven when I see the yellow flowers. This past week, I decided to check back in the woods to see how the flowers were coming. It was a beautiful spring day and warm. Pup was swimming. I saw a few had started to bloom and got a few shots with the camera, but the full show they give each year wouldn't be for a couple more days. I left in a hurry. I didn't want Maggie to step on them.

Imagine my disappointment when just a few days later, we got the cold weather mentioned above and snow. I hated to look but thought those delicate flowers wouldn't survive. Had I missed the opportunity I had just days prior? Had I rushed by and missed them and now I would need to wait until another year? I decided to get it over with. I walked down the field lane and saw some weeds had died. As I approached my "street" they were all wilted! They lay flat on the ground. My heart sunk. I had missed it. I should have taken more pictures. I should have enjoyed the moment I had a few days earlier. Then that voice I have learned to listen to, whispered in my soul, "it is only a set a back." Yeah, maybe that was it. Maybe they will perk up once warmer weather comes back. I left feeling less guilty, but determined to keep a better eye on them. I didn't want to miss them again.

Today, I headed back. Pup was swimming and giving me her treasure of the day to watch for safe keeping. Her treasure today was someone's old juice bottle. Washed down stream after heavy rains. She brings me something every day. I will post pictures in a future blog. I hated to look at the flowers, but also needed to know. I was surprised. They not only looked better, but more were joining the.! A few didn't come back, it was simply too cold, but others are thriving! I took Maggie back inside. She is a great dog and I love her by my side. However, she can't seem to appreciate wildflowers. She steps on them, sniffs the camera and my favorite, she whines if I stay too long.

So, I headed back with camera in hand. Smile on my face and a warmness in my heart. I also prayed that a blog post would come together. This is what I feel the message is for this week.

It is only a set back. The words are seeping into my soul more and more this week. I don't know about you and where life is headed for you, but I have many things I am dealing with. Some good and some frustrating. There are times I feel I am not as close as I used to be with my relationship with God. I feel I fall for the lies Satan whispers. I feel guilty that I am not doing all I should be doing. I feel like sometimes I look back on the day and think "what exactly did I accomplish today for Jesus?". But then those words come to mind, "it is only a set back". You see, just as the flowers were perfect and looking well, a storm came that changed everything. They were knocked down. They were flattened. They couldn't stand tall anymore. They received strong winds, an inch and half of pouring rain, followed by snow!There are times in my life when I am standing tall, confident, and serving to the fullest. Then there are times when I simply don't care and I am tired. I get frustrated. But God isn't done with me. It is simply a set back. He still has a plan for me. He still loves me. He is still waiting. He knows and understands set backs. I haven't missed a one time offer to serve. Sometimes we are living a mountain top experience (we want to stay there), sometimes we are in the valley (we think get me out now), and sometimes we experience a set back. While climbing, we slip and have to repeat the ground we just covered. Sometimes we can't seem to get a grip that will hold and we feel we can't climb even if we wanted to. God is there through it all. A phrase I have learned to appreciate more and more is this. God is good ALL the time. Repeat that over and over until you believe it in your soul. Until you do, you will be frustrated and disappointed. I know you have experienced some awful things. I know that you aren't able to say that easily, some days are easier than others, but God is still good ALL the time. Just because we experience set backs, doesn't make Him less good. And dare I say that after a set back, we come back stronger and better for the set back? Just as the flowers are flourishing, so can you and I. Yes, sometimes we miss opportunities to serve that are once in a life time, but it isn't our only shot. Just as some of the flowers died, those opportunities may never come around again but others will and they may just be better than the ones we past, or God knows we need to learn a lesson in something and He will continue to teach us the lesson till we get it. Not to punish, that is a lie Satan will tell, but to teach us so something better can happen.

I am including my photo session from today. I will try to only highlight, but I took plenty. :O)

One final thought before I close, dare I say that two thousand years ago the disciples were scrambling and hiding as Jesus was being crucified. They experienced a "set back". They thought they had blown it. Picture Peter sitting in a corner crying and embarrassed for the way he denied Him. But as the song/saying goes, SUNDAY IS A COMIN'. Jesus would remain in the grave only three days. They experienced a set back, but once Sunday came, the ministry exploded! Enjoy this Easter weekend. Remember Good Friday and what it represents, but remember Easter morning! We have much to celebrate.

 

 

The Bird Cage

This week we will be entering the days before Easter. A few years ago I received an email that had a story attached to it. I saved it and was reminded of it recently. I am going to include it in my post today.

The Birdcage

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak... I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this birdcage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?" Just some old birds," came the reply. What are you gonna do with them?" I asked. Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time." But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?" Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. How much do you want for those birds, son?" Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old-field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?" The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked. Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" How much? He asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life." Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage, he opened the door, and he walked from the pulpit.
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I never forgot that story. It says so much. A simple bird cage with a huge message. Whether you choose to believe or receive the gift that was paid for you is up to you. You were bought for a price. You have the choice to receive the freedom you have been given. Just as the birds flew free from their cage, so can you. Now your cage may look very different. You may be caged with fear, hurt, debt, past sins, doubt, worry, stress, etc. However, we all have been caged by sin. That is the price Christ paid for us. The moment sin entered the garden, the plan was put into action for the events we celebrate this week. He knew the struggles we would encounter. He knew the sins we would commit and continue to commit.There is much to celebrate for those of us that have received eternal life, through the death of Christ and resurrection. But we also are to remain free in other ways too. Christ didn't just die so we can be with him in eternity. He also gave us life while here on planet earth. We don't die the minute we accept him. We still need to continue on life's journey. He will walk each step of the way with us, if we ask for his help and guidance. This week I had a situation that got the best of me. I was frustrated and irritated. I went for a walk and as I walked and processed things, I was frustrated that I get worked up over things that in time really don't matter. In the moment, I was right and the other person was in the wrong. I could have proven my point, but I thought, for what? For 10 seconds of you are right and I am wrong, and then years of that person avoiding me or being afraid to ask me to help again? No, so I chose to let it go. As I processed this I thought, Lord, when will I be more patient, or more kind, more thankful that I was even asked to join in the activity. As quickly as I thought it, I was reminded.....never. I never will be. That is why God gives us the Holy Spirit. How do you know the Holy Spirit is alive and active in your life? By the fruit it gives. Love, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. You see I was bought with a price, but I was also given a guide to help me on this journey. I can never be that kind of person on my own. I need the help of the Spirit to be that person. I also find God gives us situations to strengthen the areas we are weak. He doesn't love us less and not trust us in future events. No, He patiently gives us situations that bring those qualities out in us.

Are you living free? Remember, the door has been opened, but it is your choice to accept.

Killdeer

Have you ever heard of a Killdeer? If I could record their call and include it in my post I am sure you would recognize their call. They are often in our meadow each spring. A couple of years ago I was able to capture some pictures of a pair raising their little family. This week's post doesn't really have a devotional theme to go with it, but it is to share pictures of one of the zillion creatures our God has created. I also want to share a short story before you look at the pictures. When God gives you a gift or the ability to do something I find that is a way that you may feel the most near to Him. For me it is creation. For you it might be music, prayer, scripture, serving others, teaching, etc.

I watched the parents lay on the eggs. I watched the parents run as I cut grass and avoided the nest they placed on a pile of stones. I watched the parents as they sounded the alarm when a barn cat would come near. So imagine my surprise to see the little guys hatched and I missed it. Yet, the parents kept chirping loudly as I searched. Something about a Killdeer that you may not know is, that unlike many birds when their young hatch they are ready to run. Eyes open and legs of blue ready to sprint! They don't have to bring food to their young, they have to take their young to the food. As I leaned on the fence post early that morning with camera in hand I simply couldn't find them. They should have been zipping through the grass like bumble bees, but not any to be seen. Yet, as I said, the parents were having a fit. So, I did what I always do, I prayed a simple prayer. Something like, "Lord, you know exactly where they are. I just want a glimpse of them and a quick picture". I had just finished praying and opened my eyes to turn and almost stepped right on them. They had been hiding in the fence row and the parents knew they were in serious danger. They tried everything to get my attention so their young would be safe. They tried flying. They tried acting like they had a broken wing so I would go after them (classic thing they do). I was shocked! I didn't move. I just stood there in amazement. They were there all the time. I could have stood by any of the fence posts, but they were at the one I stopped at.  Then I thought,"Sue, why are you amazed? You asked God to show you where they were, and before you finished He answered your prayer. Isn't that how God is? Why do we doubt? Do we believe or hope He will answer our prayers? I know He didn't need to show them to me and I would have still believed in Him and loved Him, but I also know that when He made me, He gave me a love for His creation. He knew how badly I watched and waited and didn't want to miss it. I don't know why the answer is sometimes no and sometimes yes, except to say, that He is God and He does what is best. They were gone as fast as they had come. A few nights of running in the tall grass and they were off. Enjoy the pictures I was able to get. They had three batches that spring, and the pictures I am posting are a combination of those three batches. They are a treasure to me.

The eggs blend in very well with the pile of stones she laid her eggs in.

Mom trying to act like she has a broken wing. Dad in the background.

Just drying off and getting ready to run!You can see a part of their blue legs sticking out.

A quote I came across this week that I want to pass along as a word of encouragement. I am not sure what your week has been like but maybe this is meant for you.

"Sometimes God doesn't change your situation because He's trying to change your heart."

A picture of Him

When I started my blog over a year ago, I wanted to write about ways I see God's fingerprints in all of His creation. I even found scripture to support this. Romans 1:20 NLT ~ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Another passage would be Psalm 19:1-6.

This past week, I witnessed something that caught my eye and as I walked with my pup these thoughts came to me. As first glance I almost missed it, but then once I stopped and grabbed the camera, I realized what I had just saw.

What do you see when you look at these pictures? Do you see simple flowers? This is what I saw. I was quickly coming in from the garage and I noticed the purple sticking out of the snow. I grabbed the camera and took a few quick shots in the wind and then put the camera down. I knew there was a reason I was to capture these pictures. I must admit they turned out much better than I expected because I took them so quickly.

As I walked and thought about the setting of the picture these thoughts came to mind. The wooden sticks that are in between the flowers represent the wooden cross. The purple represent royalty. Jesus is the King of Kings, my king. The orange center represents the Holy Spirit, when it fell for the first time on the first believers in Acts, it was described as tongues of fire. Just as it is in the center of the flower, so is the Holy Spirit inside every believer. The stone wall in the background reminds me of the stone that was rolled away as he rose from the dead. The snow, Jesus washes me whiter than snow. You see in that one snapshot is the gospel. He is all around His creation if you look for Him. He is our King, who died on a cross and ascended into Heaven, but sent the Holy Spirit to take His place while we remain on earth. Then when we confess our sins, to Him, He makes us whiter than snow. Now don't you just love that! It made me smile and while the wind blew and it felt like we were taking 10 steps back to winter, I knew spring was still on the way. In life we can feel overwhelmed by our situations, and feel we are not getting anywhere, but remember, He is returning and when He does, His kingdom is the one that will last forever.

May you find fingerprints of Him this week. Are you looking? Are you listening? I could have easily missed this little surprise if I had not turned around for a second glance.

A day later, the snow melted, this is what I found. Notice the centers wide open so you can see the orange/red color.

       
Now just for fun: Some of you that read this blog do not see my Facebook page.  I posted these pictures and thought you may enjoy them as well. We have new chicks at our house. I am trying something new and ordered them through the US Mail. My "package" arrived this week.

I have three different varieties. Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Golden Comets.

 Just hanging out at the water cooler.

 Maggie being so good. I had to keep telling her to "leave it". She wanted to grab it so badly!

"Can we be friends?"~ I highly doubt it!

Have a great week! Thanks for reading.

I still remember her...

It has been over 30 years since I lost her. Maybe it was because I was young when she left or maybe it was because we didn't get to say goodbye. I don't think I could have said goodbye. Her friends and neighbors called her Ruth. I called her Grandma. 

Yesterday, as I made a side dish for our lunch, I was filled with memories of her. They continued throughout the day. As I processed what to write about this weekend, I didn't feel settled about the topic I had chosen. So, I waited. As I woke this morning, I knew this was the post for the week. It is probably more for me than you, but I hope my memories will stir memories for you and your loved ones.

The dish I made was fresh asparagus with a cream sauce. I remember her making it and how delicious it tasted. I think for me the best part was the butter and black pepper she would put on it just before serving. Thankfully, my mom knew how she made it and so as I got older she taught me. However, I seem to remember my Grandma making it more than mom. A lot of time as passed since then, so I could be confused. However, yesterday, when I lifted the lid to see if the butter had melted, I was taken back in time. 

She was the type Grandmother you picture in a Norman Rockwell painting. She wore her hair up in a bun and little heeled shoes. She always seemed to wear an apron as well. I still bake her Christmas cookies each Christmas. But that wasn't what made her special. What made her special to me was, no matter what time of day, no matter what she was doing the world stopped for a few minutes, whenever I stopped by. I know some times she had things that needed to be done, but that didn't matter, I had come and so she stopped what she was doing. She was always smiling and laughing. She gave the best hugs and with a height of 4 ft 11 inches, she had a way of making me feel so tall, even at my young age. She would ask how my day was and how I was doing. She genuinely cared what my answer was too. She would look through my sticker books like they were an art exhibit. She would  play games with me and never seemed to tire of them.We would play go fish and Chinese checkers. If she had work that needed done, she would include me in them and make them fun. I remember helping lay out fabric squares for hours as she would tell me what the pattern for her next quilt was going to look like. When the garden produced its veggies, I would sit on her porch and help shell and husk all the goodies. It didn't seem like work at all, because I was with her. She had a tin in her kitchen that held M&M candies. She would get a little cup off the shelf and fill it for me. I hardly remember a time that there wasn't candy in that tin. How she knew to keep it filled for the grandkids, I will never know. 

There is a secret not many people know about her that I have never forgotten. It was just between her and I. I had a bad habit. I would chew my fingernails. Now, others knew I did this, but what they didn't know was she told me that if I stopped chewing my nails, she would buy me a doll. It was a habit I wanted to quit, but try as I may I would go a few days and then I would be right back at it. I had time to quit and I would get the doll, I just wasn't ready. 

Then one day the call came. She was taken to the hospital with a heart attack. As I said, I was young, and I don't remember how long she was in the hospital, but I remember it wasn't good, and we weren't sure she would be coming home. My parents had left one evening to visit her in the hospital and I was in the barn helping my siblings with the barn chores. The phone rang and I quickly ran to answer it because for as long as I can remember, I have loved the telephone. I would always race to the phone. It was a day, I wished someone else would have answered. My grandfather was on the other end of the line and he simply said, "she is gone". His world changed that day, more than mine, for he lost the love of his life. They were a team. His partner had gone before him. He truly was never the same after that day. I know he had health issues that later led to his death, but I also feel he died of a broken heart. My world changed too. I didn't really understand death. I didn't know what would be next. I knew that with being the youngest, I would follow the others lead. I remember sitting in the service and thinking what if I forget what she looks like. What if I can't remember all the fun times we had. You see, I was the youngest and a bit further behind with my siblings. They were busy, and dad and mom, while I felt so loved and cared for, had many things to do. Grandma, she could stop what she was doing and give me time. I was in good hands when they were busy and working hard. 

Months after her death, I looked down at my  hands one day. My nails were growing! You see, after her death, the desire or need to chew my nails were gone. I simply couldn't do it anymore. All these years later, I still can't do it. I never got the doll, but it was my doings not hers. 

Back to yesterday and my afternoon. As I looked at the asparagus and prepared it and then enjoyed every bite, I was reminded that I still remember her. I worried I would forget. I worried life would move on and I wouldn't remember her. But you know, I love counted cross-stitch and I love knitting. She was great at needlework and I think we would have had fun comparing patterns and showing each other our finished projects. The wildflowers I speak of in other blogs, will soon start blooming and I remember walking with her to check on them. You can usually find M&M's in my house if you look in the cupboard. She also taught me a lesson in life that I hope to pass to my children and grandchildren. It is to know what it feels like to put others before yourself. I never heard her yell or complain. She left this world too soon for me, but right on time for God. He was ready for her and so it was time. But I also have the hope I will see her some day. I have read in books of people going to heaven and then coming back. I will not debate them here, I will not say they are true or untrue, that is not for me to say. But a common theme they have is, they were met by loved ones that passed before them. I think she will be first in line to greet me. I missed her at my graduation, I missed her at my wedding, I missed her when I had our twin daughters. I miss her when I drive past the house she once called home. I missed her when I started getting chickens and gathering eggs. I still have her basket that she once used for eggs with her chickens. But I am not sad, I am happy that she passed some wonderful things onto me with the time we had together. I tried to list only a few. With time, I realized long ago, that even though I missed her greatly, she was way better off in Heaven, than here on earth. I just didn't want to see her gone. I wanted her a bit longer.  I will see her some day. God's Word promises me that. I know she loved Him and believed in Him. So we will be together in heaven, along with all the others who have made the same choice she and I have made. The world called her Ruth. I called her grandma. And, I still remember her.

Angels

What type thoughts come to mind when you hear the word, "angel"? Do you picture a man in a white robe, saying "Do not be afraid", or dressed in all white with wings flapping? Do you think of Gabriel? Or maybe you instantly think of beings floating up and down while playing harps.

I want to share an experience I had several years ago that I have never forgotten, but was recently reminded of. How can be? Never forgotten, yet need to be reminded? Well, it has been a while since it happened, and I don't think about it anymore, but once reminded, I go right back to that moment in time and still walk away with the same thought...Wow! God can answer our prayers anyway He chooses. If we only think there is one way He can respond, do we somehow miss the answer because we weren't expecting it to be that way. Also, God cares so much for us, sometimes He sends one of his personal helpers to assist.

The background to my story is that I was traveling with a friend for a conference. A Women of Faith conference to be exact. We were volunteering as workers. We were traveling to Washington, DC. We had decided to drive part way and then take the Metro into the city and to our hotel. We had everything planned out. Or so we thought....

The drive went well and the directions were perfect. We parked the car and unloaded our luggage and then we followed the signs to get our Metro tickets. I need to mention, that neither one of us ever did this before and it was way past dark,  but we figured there would be less traffic and we still had plenty of time to get to our hotel. We stepped into the station. What I say next I can't fully explain, unless you have ridden the Metro before. The map, looked like an art project. More colors and tracks than a rainbow has. How were we suppose to know what track to take. And to add to the situation, we were nearing the last train for the night. If we chose poorly, we would be far from our hotel and with no car. How much money should we put on our card? What if we missed our stop, what if we didn't have enough money left? Should we just buy a day pass even though we really didn't need that type card for the way we were traveling. Also, it accepted coins only and we needed to find a change machine quickly. To finish setting the stage, this particular station was dark, not many people and honestly, you didn't want to attract any one's attention. Just go with the flow and act like you know what your doing. Yet, clearly we didn't. To get the ticket booth helper you needed tokens. We didn't know how to get the tokens, so that seemed hopeless.We thought we could figure it out and given extra time I think we would have, but extra time we didn't have. The train was leaving very soon. So, we began to pray that things would make sense and come together.

Now, I want to interrupt a moment. When you pray do you expect God to answer, or merely hope He does? You know, its one of the many choices we do, when trying to figure it out on our own. I prayed, but was also working on plan b. That is when it happened. Back to our story.

As I was reading the work of art on the wall and trying to find our street to see what train we needed and figure the cost, to my left, I saw a man standing. Not walking from a distance, but standing. He simply said, "Do you need some help". That is when I turned. What I saw, took my breath away. Not white robe. Not a harp in sight, not a clean shaved business man, who would have made me feel at ease, because clearly he would know how the trains worked. No, what I saw was a man shorter than me, unshaven, missing teeth, and a very dirty blue work uniform. On his left shoulder, I saw he had a badge with the Metro label on it. I wasn't convinced he worked for the Metro. I cleared my throat and explained our situation and he smiled at me, that is how I noticed the missing teeth, and simply pointed to the color we needed. He said it would be best to get a day pass and that we would need to change trains to get to our destination. I was writing this down. As I looked up, he was gone. When I say gone, I mean gone-gone. He wasn't walking away, he wasn't in the parking lot, he wasn't back at the booth. He was simply gone. I am not certain I even thanked him while writing. All I know is that we got our pass, hopped on the train and off we went. As I sat in my seat, I said to my friend, if I didn't know better, I would have said that was an angel. Sent just to help us. Neither one of us had seen him approaching nor did we see him leave. We turned and he was gone.

Here is what I took away from that experience. God does answer our prayers. He helps us in our time of trouble. He cares for us. He can send people to come to our aid. Lead them to us through events. Or sometimes, I fully believe, that He sends an angel. We just don't picture them in dirty uniforms, messed up hair and missing teeth. The conversation was exactly what I needed help with. Nothing more and nothing less. To say, if I didn't know better, is humbling to say back. Why would I be surprised by any method God chooses to answer my prayers. Why are some ways more like God while other ways seem too impossible? Isn't He the Creator of ALL THINGS! In scripture we are reminded He held the sun to extend the day for Joshua, He had a talking donkey stop on the path at the sight of an angel warning him not to continue, He sent a whale to take his prophet to the city the prophet was fleeing. We are reminded in Hebrews (13:2) how we should treat strangers because we may be entertaining angels without even knowing it. He sent angels to Abraham before destroying a neighboring city. He sent an angel to open the doors of a prison that Peter was in. Do we feel those things only happened in bible times, or do we truly believe they can happen today? I have heard others share their experiences. Something that I have noticed is this, the angel sent never stays around to get praised. The praise isn't theirs. The praise is for the sender. They are simply carrying out the order. I was also embarrassed how quickly, I wanted to explain how that just happened without it being an angel. I was on my way to a conference for Women of FAITH!!!! Where was my faith that God would help us in this situation?

Not everyone gets an angelic encounter. Not everyone will have a conversation like Mary, Joseph, and Abraham. No, but God can and does still send angels. Some may read this and just shake their head and feel I read too much into it. I know what I witnessed and I know how I prayed and felt. I know that there is a spiritual world out there that we know very little about. I think if we did understand all that was happening, it would kill us. I recently heard on the radio that as the end of time approaches the demonic forces will be become more and more, but remember, that the angelic forces will too! That gave me such hope. Yes, some days it really feels like Satan is winning. It seems to us that his forces are growing and the heart of people is declining.  I shake my head at the news some days, what are people doing and thinking! They know better, yet, each year it seems more and more don't care. Yet, we need to remember who is in control. Satan has a time, yes, but God has the final say. Don't read this and go looking for angelic experiences. Don't make them up. Don't assume you aren't a follower of Christ if you haven't had this happen to you. But if you have had it happen, enjoy it. Praise the One who sent them. You never know why that car pulled out in front of you and now you are running late, because once they pulled out, you couldn't pass them. You had to drive slow. Or if you have an accident along the road and someone stops to help and knows your name, yet you never said who you were, then when it was time to leave, they were gone. (true story). Please don't put God in a box and assume you know Him and his abilities. He loves you, cares for you, and hears you when you pray. If we only expect certain outcomes, we miss the answer that was there all along. Not true? How could hundreds if not thousands of people see the Son of God walk this earth only to deny who He said he was. Saw him perform miracles like no other, just because He didn't fit the image they imagined and didn't set up the earthly kingdom they wanted. Didn't matter He fit every category to the T that the prophets spoke centuries before. He simply didn't fit their image. Don't miss him or any experience He has for you. I still smile when I see someone who appears homeless, with scruffy hair, missing teeth and dirty clothes. I don't smile at their situation, I just wonder if that is an angel waiting for their next appointment. We simply never know. Have a blessed week and remember He is crazy about you! Just as you are.

**On a side note, that encounter was just one of many ways God showed himself to us that weekend. They may be future posts. I will see. I was able to share my faith with a very confused and lost soul on the train, who was blown out of the water, when he asked me what I was in town for? I told him and he asked me if I would be willing to die for that kind of faith. I simply smiled and said, yes I would. It means that much to me. He couldn't wrap his head around that. God gave me an opportunity to show my faith after only hours before doubting that what he sent was an angel and trying to explain what happened in human terms rather than having faith He handled the situation I prayed specifically for. I met a security guard that after talking made me feel like I had a personal guard with me whenever I needed one. I could list a few more, but this has become long enough. He is busy working all around us, but are we looking?