The compassion of a stranger

It has been going on for a while.

Anne has been expressing discomfort all year, but it’s stepped up a notch this summer.

I struggle with not feeling like I should have caught it sooner.

Infact when she was in fifth grade we had her into a specialist.

The diagnosis was migraines.

So we’ve watched Anne more carefully since then.

She even fainted twice at school one year, but we thought it was low blood sugar.

This basketball season her complaint seemed to form more frequently.

With the Spring her allergies were definitely angry and I mistakenly thought she was struggling with just the affects of that.

It was early Summer when I saw her grab her chest the same way I do when my chest is hurting.

It was like a bell rang in my brain.

I called the doctor’s office and spoke with a nurse.

She said I’d need to write down the symptoms and call back in a week.

Which I did.

I spoke with our doctor this time and she agreed that Anne should be seen.

In the meantime the chest pains had become so painful that Anne has actually been unable to function at times.

My anticipation for her to see the doctor was increasing as she struggled with not feeling well.

Then I realized I wouldn’t be able to attend the appointment.

Thankfully my husband was able to.

Our doctor agreed that she most likely has asthma, but wanted to rule out any other issues, so after Anne received a breathing treatment in the office my husband was to drive her to the hospital to get a chest x-ray and an EKG.

I spoke with my husband before they headed to the hospital.

I gripped the phone tight, willing myself not to be emotional.

My heart silently prayed for the Lord to comfort our girl since I couldn’t.

I so wanted to be there, to hold her hand, to pray with her, to comfort her.

Instead God had a different plan.

I received a text from my husband with the following picture and words:

So, I came around the corner from going to the bathroom and I heard this lady say to Bethany “Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?” next thing I know they are praying for Bethany’s EKG.

I blinked back the tears of joy and surprise.

“God, You are amazing!”

My husband assured me that he had thanked the sweet lady.

Jesus knew exactly what both Anne and I needed.

And He filled it perfectly

with the

compassion of

a stranger.

Author of the details

Even in something so temporary,

God is the author.

We found these matching shirts after the track meet on Saturday.

I haven’t had the girls want to dress alike in so long it floored me when they decided to buy matching tops.

(Anne got a similar one since there weren’t any in her size.)

Yet, even this spur-of-the-moment shopping trip had a lesson for me.

It’s a theme God has been teaching me.

I am directing and guiding you.

You see we wanted to go shopping, but this wasn’t the store we were trying to get to.

Our plans had been different, yet as we let go of our own ideas and looked to the Lord He led us to another store.

There we found everything we needed and within our budget.

Not to mention the girls now have a memory and a special outfit to tie their hearts together despite the distance.

And I know the lesson has just begun.

Before the track meet the Lord reminded me to get cash so we could pay to get in.

(I’ve forgotten to more times than I’ve remembered.)

Yet, as I walked out of the Walmart where I’d picked up some food for the meet I felt a prick.

Give them $5.

It was a Christian group whose ministry is to help people struggling with addictions.

They were selling handmade items.

I didn’t buy anything, just gave them the money and promised to pray for the ministry.

When I reached the meet there was not a fee to get in.

I didn’t think about the $15 left in my wallet.

Yesterday another opportunity came along.

A dear friend and colleague lost her house to fire this weekend.

A teacher at our school set up an opportunity to purchase new clothes at the school for a seriously reduce price, all to be given to our friend.

“These things normally are $25-$60, and she’s going to let us buy them for $10 a piece!” The teacher eagerly informed me.

I thought my jaw would drop open, but instead I just smiled.

There wasn’t any question in my heart that the Lord was the author of this.

I grabbed out $10 and asked her to pick out something.

I’m interested to see what God will do with the last $5 waiting in my wallet.

He’s the author of it all.

He understands every detail.

He’s the reason I draw every breath.

I’m certain His plans are best.

When I think of all He has already done for me, when I look back at the many lessons I’ve learned, I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow holds.

It might be trying, stretching, uncomfortable, even painful, but whatever it is, I’m resting in the truth.

Jesus has a plan in it all,

and I get to be a part of it!

Fulfilled

It has been many years.

Honestly, I can’t remember how old Belle was when she first stated it.

“I want to go to Africa. I want to be a missionary to Africa. I want to help people. ”

I remember my surprise.

Yet, over the years it’s never wavered.

Belle has felt a call on her heart to Africa.

I spoke to her yesterday.

“Mom, when I hit the airport, I cried. I’m finally here.”

–wow–

God is the one Who placed this desire in her heart and He is the one Who allowed her to go, even for a short time.

She’s there with her Dad to attend a wedding of our dear friend.

My heart almost hurts at the joy of watching Belle get to, in a small way, fulfill a dream given by God.

I have no idea what He will do next.

I’m not sure when or how or where.

But I’m confident that the calling He placed on her life will be fulfilled in God’s timing and in His ways with His purpose.

” Dear Jesus,

You never stop surprising me. There’s never a time I’ve totally understood all You were doing, because my brain isn’t able to take it all in. Yet, I’m so thankful for all I can see. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Please continue to grow Belle in the understanding of what You are doing in her heart and life and give her the peace and understanding to walk in it. I love You, Jesus! Thank You, You are awesome. ”

I wonder what He has in store next!?