God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

Stories I Share: My Neighbor

With each move, my husband and I pray specifically about many aspects. Not only have our prayers been answered, but we have also received more than we asked.

Thirty-two years ago this week, my husband and I signed the contract for our current house. While it was being built, one night I prayed, “If someone is supposed to be my neighbor and is about to buy another house, please stop them.” I don’t know why that came to mind.

Our next-door neighbors moved in seven weeks after we did. Weeks later, Terri asked if I would run a mile with her in the evenings. She was preparing for her Marine physical fitness test. I agreed. It gave us both exercise and good conversations.

During one run, we discussed choosing our neighborhood. She said, “We were ready to sign a contract on a house in another subdivision. We decided to sign it at home and told the builder we would be back. On the way home, we saw this new development. After we stopped and toured the model houses, we tore up the first contract.”

Thrilled, I told her she was the answer to my prayer.

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

Stories I Share: My Snowstorm Analogy

And You shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness … Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)

I haven’t survived a desert wilderness, but years ago, my husband and I survived what seemed like a snow wilderness when he drove precarious roads from North Carolina to our home in Maryland.  He had a work crisis, and I quickly linked the snowstorm to his work storm.

The further we drove, the deeper the analogy rested in my heart. I reminded us that God would guide my husband just as a trucker was guiding us. (See here.)

 

When we exited I-95 and made our first stop in five hours—leaving our trucker—the front of our car was encased in ice. I kicked and slapped until three-inch-thick ice sheets fell.

Route 301 was worse than I-95—deserted and packed with trackless ice. My dashed hopes reminded me that we travel from challenge to challenge. I had confidence we would make it home—even if the journey was worse than anticipated. It was. We did.

The LORD will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forever more. Psalm 121:8 (ESV)

Stories I Share

It Will Be Over On Friday

Decades ago, my husband and I were foster patents to a one-year-old, whom we nicknamed Z-Man.

Z-Man

Z-Man’s energy was boundless, his coordination was amazing, and his main word was ball—all fitting for the son of a football player. Unfortunately, that football player was an absent father, and Z-Man’s teenage mother needed help. She wisely chose temporary foster care.

When Z-Man’s mother was ready to resume parenting, she was allowed daytime visits, and finally, one overnight visit. Z-Man joyfully ran to greet my husband when his overnight visit ended. Then, Z-man turned and looked at his mother. He turned back with anguish on his face.  Z-Man understood he couldn’t have both people.

That Sunday night with us went smoothly, but on Monday night, Z-Man screamed his emotions. He was inconsolable and too young to understand the plans of the adults in control. On Friday, he would have his mother permanently; he would no longer bounce between two homes.

I occasionally think of Z-Man and the reminder that in my darkest moments, God has plans. And they might be completed on Friday.

For who has known the mind of the Lord. or who has been his counselor? Romans 11:34

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

A Mother To Many

Great-Aunt Frances 1914-2010

My Great-Aunt Frances never married or had children. She broke one engagement after her fiancé caused a division in their church. At her mother’s request, she stopped dating a wonderful man who wanted to marry her. Her sickly mother wanted her last single daughter to remain at home.

I repeatedly told Aunt Frances that she didn’t marry because we all needed her. She not only mothered her nieces and younger brother but also the generation above and two generations below.

However, her greatest devotion was quitting her job to spend a decade caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Aunt Frances slept across the foot of my great-grandmother’s bed so she would wake if her mother needed her during the night.

I remember those difficult years during my childhood. Aunt Frances stayed cheerful and funny and always served a treat when we visited. She made my sons, her great-great nephews, sticky buns like the ones that she had made for me.

During that time, Aunt Frances completed multiple paint-by-numbers and doll kits. I own five of her paintings and two dolls.  Her skill was great, but those items are precious to me because they represent my aunt’s faithfulness.

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

The Stories I Share: Plane Tickets

My youngest spent a college semester traveling through six countries.

Colossi of Memnon, Egypt
Nafplio, Greece

After arriving in Athens, the study abroad group disbanded for an eight-day spring break. Students either flew home or were joined by family—too expensive for us.

After exploring numerous options, it became clear that my husband must join our son. How did we afford such a trip? I sold used, unwanted college textbooks on Amazon. In one day, I raised much of the $800+ airfare.

This “cheap” flight had an Amsterdam layover and arrived hours after my son. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to book it. Perhaps, I hoped for price drop? And then, I forgot.

I remembered the Thursday of the historic landing of a US Airways plane in the Hudson River—fourteen years ago today. Travelers briefly became wary of New York City departures. My coveted, nonstop flight from New York City plummeted to $600. I snatched it.

My son emailed “How will I find Dad?”

“He will be waiting at your airport exit gate.”

“Wonderful.”

Athens arrival

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)