Monday, October 11, 2010

Where He leads me...

On Sept. 15th I received a phone call that broke my heart. Our precious friend’s 37 yr. old daughter died from an epileptic seizure. The next few days were spent trying to figure out the best time to go to MN to be with our friends.  It was decided that waiting for a couple weeks would be better than coming right away.  Reservations were made and I was all set to be gone from Friday to Tuesday morning.  I am not the best flyer and much prayer is prayed when I do fly.  I asked the Lord to give me a smooth flight and that it would be nice if I sat by a woman (I had a middle seat). While waiting to board the plane I sat down by a lady reading a Randy Alcorn book I had read.  As she and I talked she told me how she had had these reservations for a long time and this week decided to change the dates she would go to MN. But she forgot to do this and two days ago her sister called to tell her that her father had passed away.  So because she had the ticket she was prepared to go.  As I listened to her story I thought again how God directs our steps.
1Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you...
I boarded the plane and when I got to my seat I saw that I was sitting between two women.  Thank you Lord!  The one by the window greeted me and we quickly began visiting.  She was a Christian, her parents had been missionaries in Hawaii (where I once lived) and half way through the flight I found out she attends my daughter's church.  When she found out where I was going and why, she shared about her mother's sorrow and how she coped when her baby sister died.  How interesting that I was once again gfiven an opportunity to share about grief.  As I was walking off the plane I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord.  My visit with our friends was so sweet and I prayed that the words spoken or not spoken were just what they needed.
2Corintians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I loved my time with them. I know that the Lord will continue to comfort their hurting hearts and meet their needs.  After many hugs and tears my visit with my friends was over and I was boarding a plane home. Again I prayed about the trip and who I would sit with.  This time, as before, I was sitting beside a lady.  Our conversation began with talking about Mexican food and how she prepared it. As we talked I also learned that her mother had passed away three years ago and she seemed to be handling it OK but her sister wasn’t.  I was able to share and suggest some things from my own experience that could help her sister.  As we began to land she said she sure hoped that her next flight would be safe and that she would sit by a lady. Without a thought, I began to pray out loud for her, her next flight and then for her sister.  I was surprised but happy for my boldness. As I finished she said, “in the name of Jesus”.  I told her I hoped she did not mind me praying.  She didn’t. I smiled inside remembering times I had heard others tell about their times on planes, praying or witnessing to people and was glad this time I was the one experiencing it. I am thankful for this trip and the time I had with my sweet friends.
Elaine

6 comments:

Pamela said...

Elaine you are always such an encourager. I love that about you

Unknown said...

Loved reading about how the Lord guided and directed you on this trip! What an answer to prayer! It's always amazing to see how He provides exactly what we need and how He's able to use difficulties we've experienced to help and be a blessing to others. Thoroughly enjoyed this post!

*Ran across your blog while over at a mutual friend's site, Linda from the UK. Looks like we've got lots in common. I'd love your feedback on my devotional blog. Have a blessed day!

Cheryl Grigsby said...

Thank you so much for sharing this, Elaine. I had a period of time when it seemed God answered prayers, just not mine. I don't think that anymore. Thanks for telling us about God's tender care and how much He attends to small & large things in our lives.

Laura L. said...

Hi Elaine,
Ron and Sally have been our pastors here in MN. I met you very briefly as Sally introduced you to me before the morning service when you were at our church.
I saw your post on her Facebook wall about your blog. So here I am.
I'm so glad Sally has you for her precious friend.
I enjoyed reading your post about your trip here and how you prayed about who you would sit by on the planes. What a great idea.
Ron and Sally were at church yesterday. It was so great to see them.

Laura L. said...

By the way, I remember now that Sally told you I was from TX. I lived there 36 years before our move here.
Yes, the fall is beautiful here with the changing colors. But...having the mild and short Texas winter is something I miss. ;)

Gottjoy! said...

Elaine,
I prayed for you and this trip and now I am reading how God had His hand on this trip. What a wonderful faith builder this story was to me!
My friend flies a lot for her job and she has never had these type of experiences. To see how God orchestrated who you would sit by makes my heart glad!
Thank you for sharing these stories!
Karen