When God Shows Up

Found this in my drafts...didn't realize it hadn't published...

Over and over lately the LORD has been dropping little notes of love into my lap as I walk through daily life.  So very many things have "gone wrong" in my home, with my car, in struggles with children, financially, emotionally...I can easily see that if I were the person whom I was a few years ago, life right now would be a very different reflection from my home ~

But, God has shown up again and again and again in my world. HE is so very faithful and true. I am so incredibly blessed and grateful...

Let me tell you about the most recent time ~ this weekend. I went out of town this weekend on a Ladies' retreat with some friends from a nearby church.  The teaching was on Isaiah 61: 1-3


1THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,


2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] [a]and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

It was a wonderful weekend; the speaker, Judi Rossi was a wonderful testimony of what God can do with a willing and submitted heart. She blesses women from coast to coast with her "Enhancing Your Marriage" ministries and Bible studies that she has written.  The worship leader was a young gal from Arizona who had a sweet and tender heart that just ushered God's Spirit into the room each time that she lifted her voice in prayerful petition...it was beautiful. 

I wasn't sure I could go on this retreat; things at home were pretty overloaded and chaotic, I was behind with my work tasks, and well beyond my need for sleep ~ but the LORD allowed me to complete some of my work on Friday through a series of unexpected events, and He encouraged me to travel. 

I left later than I was supposed to (the main group left at 11:30 a.m.; I was supposed to leave by 4 in order to arrive in time to check in and get set up for the first teaching session, I didn't depart my home until well after four and needed to stop by my office, which was on the way, before continuing the journey).  Because I was late, I didn't want to stop and gas up; I figured I had enough (nearly half a tank) to get me to the location and would worry about gasoline for the trip home. I even debated just quitting all together as I began to drive and hit some slow traffic; I thought my best bet would be to hole up at home and "pretend" to have gone so that I could get things accomplished without interruption...

God had other plans, so I continued onward on my journey.  My GPS did not register the town where the retreat was being held, so I programmed an intersection about ten miles from my destination and started on my way.  As I was nearing the intersection, my gas light went on in the car.  There were no other gas stations to be found at that point, and as I entered the last leg (after the intersection) I was on unlit, windy, mountainous roads ~ and not at all sure I was heading 100% in the right direction.  I phoned the facility but their telephones had been turned off for the night, and then I lost service to my cell...so I pressed on and prayed for God's provision.

When I arrived at the correct road, I discovered that the "camp" I was headed to was six miles up the road (I discovered this about 1/4 of the way up the mountain).  I prayed that the LORD would give my car good bearings (there was a beautiful drop off, with a peaceful river flowing below, to my right) and my gasoline would last long enough to get me there, as well as to bring me back to the nearest town the following day.

God brought me straight to the door of the retreat center. Check-in was amazingly easy, I was well in time for the session, and very blessed all evening.  I also discovered we had some free time scheduled for Saturday afternoon in which I could run the car down the mountain, find a gas station, and fill up (in case things in that area were not open on Sunday morning). 

Lunchtime Saturday - thus far a very meaningful encounter with the LORD in the teachings and fellowship and small groups, as well as a blessing of fellowship and relaxation....I asked the cafeteria staff about the nearest gas station. As they were discussing it, they decided upon a place called "The Junction" (which had recently begun taking credit cards so I wouldn't need cash, which was a praise).  However, within seconds, the gentleman whom I was speaking with shifted the topic and said to me ~ "You are really on empty?" I told him the story of the prior evening and how I just wanted to get there and then worry about it in the daylight, and he then offered to give me gas from their small tank that was used to fill the small vehicles they used around the facility...in thirty minutes (after he finished his chores), he was leading me to this small garage where he proceeded to fill my tank with 3 1/2 gallons of gas...I was blessed beyond measure and delighted with God's loving provision ~

Because of HIS provision I was also able to participate in the loosely structured afternoon activities (and witness an AMAZING testimony of God's faithfulness and love) as well as rest...the gas I received was actually enough to get me completely out of the mountains and back into a smaller town (about sixty miles) before I stopped at a "regular" station to fill the tank. I probably could have gotten almost home, but wanted to be more diligent on my return trip :-) 

He is just so good to us...and we miss it if we don't pay attention ~ I am so very thankful to have the LORD as my Savior, provider, and friend ~