The Right Place at the Right Time

Even though my life is quite ho-hum living in a safe, secure, 55+ community, I still don’t seem to run out of content for my daily blogs. God continually surprises me. Case in point:

Early Sunday, 5:30 am, with flashlight in hand, I head out on my morning walk before the warm sun rises. I know it’s going to be a hot one today. I decide to take a different, longer route because I want to get in my three miles. Had I not chosen this way, I might have missed what was up ahead. I head to my favorite walking-trail around the pond. Up ahead, I see something alongside the walking path. I’m scanning with my flashlight because I’ve seen bobcats before and sure don’t want to encounter one this morning. The closer I get, I can see it is someone sitting just off the concrete walking path.

It is Jan (name changed to protect the innocent). I haven't seen her out and about much lately. She has just taken a big fall. Her face is bloodied and so are her clothes. I'm about to call 9-1-1, but she resists. She tells me she's fine and just wants to sit there a few minutes to recover. I’m not thinking I can stand her up, but I know what I can do. “Jan, can I pray for you?” “Yes,” she replies. "But, don't get close -- the Coronavirus!” I assure her I’m healthy and don’t have the C-virus. I pray, and then ask how she’s doing. Her arms are hurting. I plead with her to let me call 9-1-1. But, no, she won’t have it. I ask if she has someone I can call, but her only daughter is in Houston.

Thirty minutes later, another morning walker -- literally my friend's droopy-eyed, plump, very mature beagle, Walker, and his owner, Bill. Bill is with me in urging Jan to let us call 9-1-1. But no. She is adamant. I ask if she has a wheel chair at home. She does and proceeds to instruct me how to get into her garage and to get her purse on the chair in her dining room. I make my way the blocks to her home. Upon my return, more neighbors have shown up. One is Ginny, who knows Jan well and despite Jan's objections, she calls 9-1-1. In five minutes, good looking, strong young men show up. I say: "Thanks, Jan!" 😁 Jan shouts at them: “Stay away from me. The coronavirus!” They assure her that they're "clean"! Jan is in so much fear of this "alien" that has invaded our world. Thus the reason why she walks early so she doesn’t encounter people who just might have the virus.

To shorten this saga, I’ll cut to the chase. After nearly two hours, the paramedics convince her to let them take her home in their EMS vehicle. Jan refused to be taken to the hospital for the same fear of the virus. Meanwhile, I continue to pray for Jan, for her heart and soul. I think about how many people who are paralyzed in fear because their attention is on all the negative in this world. Instead of dwelling on the positive and the good, they stay fixated on what's negative.

Fortunately, I had asked Jan for her phone number in case I couldn’t find her home, her purse or wheelchair. I called her at home on my way to church. She thanked me for praying for her and seeing after her. Her daughter was on the way to her. Thanks be to God! Jan called me yesterday to thank me again. I offered to get groceries for her and she needs straws. Praise the Lord! I have a new friend that wants, and needs, a friend.

Sometimes being a Good Samaritan isn’t accepted. Sometimes people don’t want help. As Mother Teresa said, “Love them anyway. Be kind to them anyway.” I like to think that I was on time in my walk this day – taking the longer way. I might have missed her if I had gone the short way. We are here for divine purposes. We have the opportunity every day to walk out our front doors to our mission field. Jan was my mission field this day. We just never know when God has set us up to be at the right place at the right time for Him.
"So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Are We FIRST RESPONDERS?

My oldest grandson is a firefighter and paramedic, so he falls into that category. A First Responder are professionals who are likely to be among the first people to arrive at and assist at the scene of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack. THANK YOU, First Responders, for your service, commitment and dedication to others.

Perhaps your heart is so big, that, you too, could be considered a First Responder because of your willingness to run toward a need instead of running away from it. I've been around many First Responders in my lifetime. I've witnessed big-hearted people who put aside their agendas to serve and help someone in need. And, while I've seen others be the recipients of the care and love of First Responders, I, too, saw those who heard about my husband's health diagnosis and went to immediate prayer, brought over meals that said "We care", those who called us and said "What can I do to help?" There were those who offered advice to us when they heard we were facing a similar situation to what they had been through -- and they could help us through it. Then there were those who came over and mowed our lawn or cleaned our home and those who gave me a massage gift certificate and offered to stay with my sweetheart while I was away from him for a couple of hours. There were those who gave to help with our huge medical bills and those who sent cards and words of encouragement. there was a sweet nurse who gave her timely freely to help us. All of those were FIRST RESPONDERS to our needs.

No doubt, we are blessed with the professional First Responders who daily risk their lives for others and I am so grateful for them. But, in a "self-serving" and "what's-in-it-for-me?" world, how commendable and encouraging it is to see there are those out there who do put others first. They are like the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a beatened man, put him on his donkey, took him for medical care, and even paid his entire bill. (Luke 10:25-37). That was the response after Jesus said "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." And the lawyer said "Who is my neighbor?" That's the question for us today. Who are our neighbors? The folks who agree with our religious, ethical, and political persuasions or does God call us to be FIRST RESPONDERS to each and everyone regardless whether or not we think alike.

I loved it when, after my two grandsons and their two friends had face-painted each others faces, that they wanted to stand out on a round-about in their neighborhood and flag down cars to help support Chloe -- a friend of theirs that has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. "Cups 4 Chloe, Relieve Stress with $2 Stress Balls". In just a few hours of selling lemonade and stress orbeez balls, they raised nearly $160. FIRST RESPONDERS. Kids do it -- no questions asked. Why don't we?

"Fear Not! I Bring You Good News of Great Joy!"

Those are the words the angels spoke to the shepherds when they were announcing the birth of our Savior. This was also the scripture that I referenced in my message to a room filled with beautiful women at Christ the King Church last night. When I was asked to speak for this event several months ago, I was asked to speak on JOY. This scripture immediately resonated within me. I found it so timely with the recent tragedies in our country, the loss of lives not only here but abroad, the pain and suffering that seems so abundant, and the grief and sadness that so many are facing.

Yesterday, I planned on spending the day in meditation and preparing for last night's message. Just as I was about to sit down in my comfy chair, I looked out my back window and saw two fire trucks going through the neighborhood. Though I'm inquisitive, I thought "Just maybe one of my neighbors is in trouble", so I hastened out my door and a neighbor waved me down to tell me that one of our neighbors, only 63 years old, had been found, deceased, that morning by his parents. My heart went out to them, but initially thought "I didn't know him well so I'll go home back to my studies." As I drove into my garage, I heard God's "still small voice" say "You can help his parents. Take them the 'good news of great joy that lives in you.'" I went there and this precious mother and father were having to take the unspeakable role of seeing after their boy and having to make hard decisions that no parent would ever want to have to make for their child. Immediately, I knew why I, and a couple of other of my girl friends from the neighborhood were "on call" this day. It was more than obvious that this precious mother and father were Christians because, even though they were hurting, their faith gave them so much strength. We talked a lot about the peace of God while waiting hours for the police, the doctor's opinion, the medical examiner and the vehicle that eventually took the son away. I wasn't aware that when someone dies alone in a home that it's seen as a crime scene until certain procedures were carried out. Once again, that scripture verse was timely as I shared God's Word and the angel's word "Fear Not; I bring you good news of great joy" to this couple.

I cried with this precious mama as I remembered those words many times when I needed them the most. My own sweetheart had been very ill for several months, but we weathered the storm because those words: “Fear not. I bring you good news of great joy!” Initially, when we received the diagnosis of Stage 4 Kidney cancer we wrestled with that COMMAND – not a suggestion -- “Do Not Fear”. Why does God COMMAND us not to be afraid when every day there are situations that occur and it seems impossible NOT to fear? We found the answer to that question by focusing on the GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY that the angel spoke about. As I think back on those months, without doubt -- we did experience GREAT JOY in the midst of doctor's appointments, treatments, six surgeries, pain, and discomfort. We laughed. We celebrated life. We embraced each other and we embraced our friends and family like never before. It is possible to have peace and joy, like the shepherds had, right in the middle of the darkest night.

I leave this word to YOU today. Who knows what tomorrow may hold for you or a loved one? But, be of good cheer, the GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY will show up for you. After all, He brings with Him "Tidings of comfort AND joy" when we need it most.

Happy, Happy Nan

Yesterday, Braden Wuerch, my 23-year old, first born grandson, flew into Austin to spend some time here with us. Happy, happy Nana! . Floods of memories, and lots of catching up on his amazing life. Words like this touched my heart so much: "I saved a woman's life yesterday. She was in respiratory arrest and I was the Lead Paramedic Team Member that got her back."

Braden was the first one who taught us the absolute thrill of being a grandparent. There are so many joys that just can't be adequately explained in words. No one "gets it" until they become one. I remember thinking how silly those grandparents were with all their bragging, telling stories, and showing off their MANY photos. Then I became one of those -- and I "got it"! Our grandchildren just multiply the joys that our children bring us.

So, of course, I'm oohing and aahing because I was going home last Sunday, but staying on a while longer meant I could help more with unpacking and organizing at the Wuerch's new home. AND the bonus was I would be here when Braden got here yesterday.

How sweet the time was last night when we all went to the famous Salt Lick Barbeque together. I'm a BBQ connoisseur, and a truly believe this was the best BBQ I've ever eaten -- family style, all you can eat. Was it really that good, or was I so in 7th heaven because of this joyous family time together? I pray for times like this. Really I do.

I pray strategically and deliberately for each of my grandchildren. I name all six of them (and Ruth, Braden's fiance) in my prayers. As their grandparent, I can have a major role in stabilizing and influencing their lives by praying for them during these years of decision-making, establishing their own lives and future, and overall -- just "growing up" and becoming mighty men and women of God.

The seeds of prayer we plant today will yield a harvest of blessing in the future. In Isaiah 44:3 God told the Israelites, “I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.” God STILL promises to pour out his Spirit and blessings on our descendants. And, He still places a "crown" on our head and adds another jewel to it.....each time He blesses us with yet another grandchild. (Proverbs 17:6).

The greatest long-lasting gift we can give our grandchildren is the gift of our time and prayers. The rewards are limitless.