Unforseen Blessings

 Sometimes it is amazing how things happen - today, with the bad weather, I toyed with staying home from volunteering in the hospital Gift Shop - hut I thought of all the employees and visitors, who regularly come in, and who would be disappointed to not be able to get the items they wanted or needed, so I made the decision to go in. I ran a little late, but by then the roads were good and I had no problem getting to the hospital.

Later in the day, I began thinking of how different the day would have been if I had not gone in - for one, I would have missed the chance to see a long time favorite, former employee of the hospital, who is now CEO of a sister hospital, and a man I have admired since my first day working at the hospital; I would not have met a lady, who during our conversation, mentioned she had lived in Illinois - later to find out that she had lived in the town where I was born and raised - which led to talking about the area - and she described a furniture store she enjoyed going into - which happens to belong to my cousin's husband's family; I would not have run into a neighbor, who I had planned to stop by her house later to make my reservation to the White Oak Christmas party, thus giving her the check and saving me having to get out in the cold again; plus the many hugs and greetings that I so enjoy. Rethinking on these instances made me realize how we never know what blessings God has planned for us when we follow His lead and let it all unfold for us.

Several times during the day, I checked to see what was going on with the weather, to realize that the snow had stopped, but it was turning quite a bit colder. Several people asked if I was concerned about getting home to which I answered, "Not at all, He got me here safely; He'll get me home the same way" to which I can gladly report - all was well on the drive home and I did arrive safely, to spend the rest of the evening snuggled in my Snoozie slippers and wrapped in my electric throw as I am enjoying being on the computer or watching television.

I hope everyone who reads this has had an equally good day and is aware of the many unforseen blessings in their day.

Unforseen Blessings

Thoughts During The Storm

Just a short time ago, a pretty severe storm went through the area and I penned these comments during that time.

The rain is pelting the windows and storm door with a fierceness, accompanied by the sound of hail. At the sound of the tornado siren, I reached for my Bible and it opened to Psalm 97. Reading David's words assured me of God's Power and Dominion, just as the heading stated. (I was using the Open Bible, New American Standard).

I felt completely at peace as I read the Psalm several times. The thought came to me to do this writing - feeling secure in His safety. Several times I had the urge to go to the window and look out - but how could I? - if my trust is in God, I did not, nor do not, need to take on what is happening outside - only to accept and hold on to my knowledge that God is ever present and I am safe and secure in knowing that.

Believe me when I tell you that immediately after writing that sentence, the rain stopped and all seemed - NO, WAS - calm and I felt even more God's assurance that all is well. Thank you Lord, that again you have shown me Your ability to stop the storms, no matter how severe they seem.

Truly, as Psalm 97, vs. 1 says - The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands (coastlands) be glad. vs. 2,: Clouds and darkness surround Him; vs 3: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Reading on, vs. 6: The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people have seen His glory.

The sun came out, the wind and sirens ended and once again, because of You, Lord, all is right with my world. May I always remember this when other storms in my life appear.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Oct 4, 2014 – “Great is thy faithfulness” are the words to an old hymn – but today’s events got me to thinking of how faithful God is too me each day, if I just let Him unfold it for me.

            A week ago this past Sunday, I mentioned to a friend at church that a couple of my faucets were leaking and would he come and look at them. Without a second thought he said he would as soon as he could. The end of that week, on Saturday, he called to tell me he would be right over. While looking at the hookup of the faucets, etc., we discovered that my garbage disposal had been leaking for some time and quite a bit of old, moldy water had accrued on the floor of the cabinet. We soaked it up with several old towels and rags and because it was causing us both a little problem with our allergies, we left it and I said I would clean it up shortly. However, I soon realized that I have difficulties getting down on my knees to get at it. I then called a friend from church, who came right over, got down under there and cleaned the whole mess up. On the following Wednesday night, at Bible study I mentioned to Joey that I could be home on Saturday morning, if he had time to come over. He said he would see how it would work out. Because I was having to adjust to how I used the sink, I became a little impatient at not knowing how soon this could be taken care of. On Friday night I asked a friend if she knew a good plumber and she gave me the number of the man she uses on her properties. When I called him he said that he was out of town, but I should call him the next day at eleven a.m. as he would be home and able to come over and see what I needed.

            This was last night – shortly after I got up this morning, Joey called and said he was on his way over. Knowing I had to return this call at eleven, I asked him to give me an idea when he would be here, and he said shortly! Well, about five minutes to eleven came, and I was sitting reading – The Tribulation Force – one of the Left Behind series. I laid the book down, and thought about the fact that I hadn’t heard from Joey, thought he would be here by now, etc. and trying to decide about calling the other gentleman. As I stood up to go get his number, the thought came to me – Be patient, Nancy -  I am in control of this and all will be done in the right timing! The thought had barely left my mind, when the doorbell rang and there stood Joey and another man. When he introduced me to his friend, the man turned out to be the man I was supposed to call!!! Immediately I knew that by trusting the thought that had occurred to me, this was the answer to it. In a few minutes he knew exactly what I needed, they left and soon returned with the parts needed and within a couple of hours had me all fixed up. The three of us, spoke several times during the time they were here, how we knew this was the Lord at work and acknowledged His presence in it.

            All afternoon and this evening I have pondered this and while listening to the Gaither Gospel hour and hearing the hymn sang – Great is Thy Faithfulness – I realized that is something I should do everyday - think of how many times God has ‘come through’ for me this day – and how much I have been blessed because of His Faithfulness, but along with that goes my need to put all of my trust in Him. Thank you Lord, for another proof of your ever presence in my life. Help me to see it more and praise you more for it.