"But He needed to go through Samaria" John 4:4
This is the second part of how God answered a prayer I first made about five years previous. I asked Him to somehow let my sister's sister-in-law hear the Gospel. As I frequently pray this for the many unsaved I meet, I asked also, if not from me, then let *Anna hear it from somebody. Just get the Gospel to her, Lord, so she'll know.
I had thought I would be speaking to a large group, and I had invited so many! How disappointed I was to find I would only speaking to a dozen to fifteen ladies, all familiar and 'old news'. I had planned so hard for this presentation, even preparing an interactive group participation. My prayers Tuesday morning were wet with tears and distraught words. "Why, God, had I gotten it so wrong? How had I so misunderstood?"
Monday night, I'd called my Pastor's wife to ask about the scheduled meeting, since I neither saw nor heard any progress report Sunday. She was surprised that I had misunderstood and suggested I call the restaurant and see if they could accommodate such a large crowd. She was sorry that I had misunderstood but maybe it could be worked out.
Tuesday morning, I was crying. I told my husband, but he had no advice. I called my best friend, (she attends another church, but she is a definite invitee) and told her it was all off. It wasn't an Outreach after-all and what was planned would just be the ladies from our church having lunch and a devotional. But would she like to ride with me the thirty miles to check out the restaurant? "Sorry, no," was her reply. She had an outing that afternoon and we might not be back in time. "Why don't I just call the restaurant instead?"
I was so upset with God, the ladies, my friend, and my husband, arrghhh! Have you noticed how many 'I's there are in my problem? (too much pride, yes?)
Everything was a mess! Something had to be done. Maybe this was a test God was putting me through testing my obedience through this trial so He could get the glory from my perseverance. Making up my mind, I got myself together to leave. I didn't even ask my husband for any money. I had a five dollar bill and a two dollar roll of nickles. I would see if God would make everything work out and it would be the Outreach I imagined after-all.
On the way, I would stop at my sister's to ask about the exercise machine she promised me. She usually has Tuesday off. I would offer to help her clean her cluttered backroom when I got back and take the machine then.
She had gone to work instead. But the trailer interior was rearranged, the backroom was open and everything stacked neatly and packed in boxes. My sister's husband is deaf but can read lips somewhat adequately. In our difficult conversation, he asked about storing a lot of stuff in our barn and attic for a while. And the exercise machine would be delivered. He said Anna and his brother would be moving in with
them the next day. His brother, Anna's husband has
Crohne's disease, and was very ill. He couldn't work and Anna's part-time employment wasn't enough to pay for their apartment rent.
My sister worked in the same town where the restaurant is, so I thought I would stop and talk to her about storing her stuff at our place and the Elliptical machine. One spot of good news, I was getting the Elliptical machine anyway.
I headed out, thinking about my destination and what I was going for. I had $7.00, and thought at least I could maybe get a small sandwich or a bowl of soup and sit and check out the place. If it wasn't enough, I'd have a cup of coffee. I began crying again. A few miles later, I decided to give up on the whole idea. It was all a mistake. I got it wrong and that was that. "I'd made a mess of it-you fix it God, I can't." Upset, I intended to just drive around as long as I had some gas. No one was expecting me anywhere. My husband knew I wouldn't be back for a few hours anyway. I'd just drive around, cry and pray.
I drove a few more miles, actually headed away from my original destination, and God says, "Susan, why don't you just go and ask?" Hearing Him say that changed my mind again. I stopped crying and started praying, "Whatever it is You want, Lord, I'll do it. I don't understand any of this, but if You say so, make it bring You glory. And, oh by the way, help Anna and her husband, he's sick and they're in need of help."
I arrived too early, the restaurant wasn't open yet. As I look up the street, I thought all I can do is go in and speak to the manager about the size of the space available and could we possibly have it for a Christian Women's Outreach, complete with speaker? We would be ordering from the menu after-all, and it was good business, right?
But what if the manager wants some information about our church! I have nothing. I haven't programed my new cell phone with the church numbers yet! I don't even have a bulletin with me. I'll look stupid. More troubles.
I drive to the lake and sit there for a while trying to think of what to do. It was then God reminds me I almost always carry a Bible tract in my pocket. Sure enough, there it was and it has the church information stamped on the back. I am ecstatic, praising God. "Wow, God, this could turn into the Outreach I was expecting after-all. I can give the manager the Bible Tract and You, Lord could have them read it. Awesome!"
I am sorely disappointed when I enter the very clean, simple but nice decor of the dining room. It's too small. It can't be set up for even our group to sit together and no space for a speaker. I asked the waiter about any other rooms where a group could meet, and he said they had none. I ate my bowl of chili and asked God, "So, I don't understand. It wasn't an Outreach after-all. This isn't going to work."
Continued in next post
*Anna is not her real name
