I
shared about the discussion at CitP,
but the “plans of God” that took place the two days before are absolutely
incredible. Barbara and I planned to
drive to Jackson, MS, to see the ETBU volleyball team play a match with
Belhaven Univ. on Friday night, then drive to Pineville, LA, on Saturday
morning to see them play LA College that afternoon…hoping to make contact with
two friends whose homes were “on the way.”
Well, God had other plans after we arrived in Jackson.
(this is a rather long post…hope you stay
with me). As we arrived in Jackson and
went to check in at our motel, the auto started acting up…noises, lights
flashing on dash panel, lighted insignias appeared there also. We had just gotten a new battery the day
before. When I stopped the car and tried
to start it again, nothing. Barbara
remembered we had “roadside assistance” with our auto insurance. We contacted them, made arrangements for a
tow truck to pick us up at the motel Saturday morning, and then called Belhaven
(athletic dept) to see if someone could pick us up (we were only a mile away)
for the match. The person answering the
phone was the assoc. athletic director who offered to come get us! Wow!
After the match that ETBU won, the team
bus carried us by the motel on their way to Pineville to spend the night. We decided to drop by the lobby to get some
coffee (late as it was), and two ladies at the front desk asked us how our day
went. We said great when it came to the
volleyball match, but our car was “dead” in the parking lot. One of the ladies said, “Well, let me tell
you MY story.” Brace yourself…
This woman began to tell of bad financial
troubles caused by a dealership not recognizing her car warranty and the high
costs of repairs. Also, her young
daughter (only child) had been having health issues for a few years
(difficulties and more financial stress).
“I’ve been depressed for over 6 months.”
BUT, then she said, “My 13 year old daughter died this past Father’s Day.” Whoa!
Immediately Barbara said, “You need a hug!” They hugged, prayed, and we gave the woman
some discipleship thoughts, and promised to stay in touch with her.
There are so many other parts of all this,
but no space to share them all.
However, the story continued Saturday morning…the
wrecker driver turned out to be a real God-send. He “diagnosed” that we didn’t need another
battery, but probably an alternator. He
knew of a place that was open on Saturdays…(we had been given two others on
Friday night that turned out to not be open on Saturdays…we thought it possible
we would have to stay in Jackson until Monday!). We are taken to the auto repair place,
treated with great care and respect, given some discounts, and were on our way
a little after noon…too late to go to Pineville for the 2nd
volleyball match. But home safely and
easily by 6pm Saturday night.
SO LET ME ASK YOU…did any of this surprise
or shock God? No. Did God have a “plan” for us to go through
all we did in Jackson? Yes. God orchestrates our lives, or paths, to fit
His plan. Let me tell you what comes to
mind: IF we had not had the problems with the auto, we would not have made the
comment to the two ladies at the counter that led to one speaking up and
telling HER STORY. And at this time,
Tuesday afternoon following the weekend, several contacts and connections have
been made (including such with the lady whose daughter recently died…the lady
has given me permission to share her name so you can join us in praying for her…her
name is Crystal) that otherwise would have not been a part of her life. God has a plan…always!
SO WOULD YOU join in praying for
Crystal? Changes in our plans, even
expensive ones! (God provided), are a part of God’s heart in someone’s life who
needs a touch. Batteries go bad. Alternators go bad. But God’s timing could not have been better
for Crystal. Well, amen.
AND I HOPE you will share this story and prayer
need with your friends. And I promise to
keep you posted as things develop.
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Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
There is nothing the presence of Christ can’t overcome
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 936-559-5696
