Categories: uncategorized
Date: 03 December 2006 20:30:29
I talked with the Mac nurse about whether we believed in coincidence. I am not sure what I think, but I think that if God didn't set up the situations, He will certainly have had a smile on his face as they occured and both times this week gave me the sense of God's hand in all our doings.
Firstly the prayers on Wednesday. They were just perfect, both for my situation and for my friend who was sitting by her father's bedside waiting for the final goodbye. I've always liked these creative worship days but they've never spoken to me the way that it did this week. Moved by the prayers, on Saturday when we went to the church Christmas dinner, I sought them out again and quietly, amongst the bustle of the Christmas market, prayed the ones most relevant to my friend's situation. I was there only a minute or two. Moments later I recieved a text message - her father had passed away just at the moment that I was praying a prayer to speed him on his journey.
Then a blessing from a friend that simply blows my mind. I have experienced such kindness and generosity as well as support through prayer and encouragement just lately. On Friday, when I took Dad to the respite home and came home tearful and guilty, I passed the local massage place and these thoughts went through my mind. "That is just precisely what I need. My body feels run down, my mind is a-whirl, I am exhausted. A massage would be wonderful. But they're so expensive and money is really tight right now. While I'm not afraid to treat myself to things occasionally, this time I know I really can't afford it and it would be spending beyond my means. Many people go without massages, I don't need one, I only want one. But wouldn't it be wonderful if someone contacted me out of the blue and said I'd won one in some competition or that I was the thousandth customer somewhere and this was my reward or something like that." That was Friday.
Yesterday I was contacted by email with a phone number and told to phone up and have my diary ready. I still can't quite believe it. I felt I should say no, but it was so perfect and so generous... and my sister said "If you were able to offer the same to someone who needed it, would you do it and would you want them to accept or refuse?" So thanks to someone who reached out and offered what I couldn't have dreamed off, on Thursday I am off to the local spa for a day of luxury and my first ever hot stone massage. (I'm assured this is bliss - I find the thought of being pummelled with hot stones a little dubious but I'm willing to trust my friend on this one).
I really am overwhelmed by the goodness and generosity of so many people who have done so much to make things far more bearable for the children and for me. True Christian love in action - it blows your mind away! To my non-Christian siblings it is almost beyond their comprehension... another bonus I as I love seeing them bemused ;)