[Faith-talk] Daily Thought for Saturday, May 3, 2014

[Paul]

Hello and good day to all of you in cyberspace.  I hope that you are all doing well, by God's matchless grace and His providential care.

Here is yet another one of those articles which was shared last year at about this time, but not everyone reading this message today has read it, so for the newcomers and even the rest of you, here goes.  It was written by Audrey Carli, a writer from Michigan, and her contribution is entitled "Why My Rush To Visit Beth?," rendered as follows:

I woke up in the gray dawn with my middle-aged friend Beth in my thoughts.  I sensed she was weeping, her blue eyes tear-filled.  I realized she had fresh grief for her late husband, John.  When we had met for lunch at our local family restaurant, she said that when she looked at wedding, anniversary, birthday and holiday photos, sadness often engulfed her.

She smiled and said she would soon adjust.

We both knew that others had also adapted to being alone.  And we realized our faith would keep us going.  We agreed that prayer strengthened us.  Thus, our visits ended with, "You will be in my prayers."

So why was Beth on my mind with the urgency to visit her that morning?

Whenever she and I had met for lunch at the Family Corner Cafe, we had agreed our visits eased sadness and enhanced tranquility.  Thus, each visit concluded with a prayer for each other.

I kept busy by dusting the living room end tables.  Suddenly, I knew I must visit my friend! So I tossed down my dust cloth and hurried to my car.

While driving, Beth's recent temporary move came to my mind.  She had sold the family residence before her planned move to her hometown, Milton Falls, a two-hour drive away.  However, her new hometown residence would not be ready for a month.  That was why she had moved to a furnished upper flat until she could return to Milton Falls.  She had not ordered a land line telephone for that brief time.  She would get a cell phone after moving to her new address.

After parking my car beside Beth's temporary home, I knocked hard at the stairway entry door.

Quickly, she descended the stairs and welcomed me.  Her tear-wet eyes beamed.  "I prayed for a visitor! It's a special day--and I miss John a lot."

After we ascended the steps, we sat in two facing chairs--and prayed.  We expressed gratitude for the nudges that sent me to visit Beth on her sad day.

After a tea break and chat, we prayed thanks for our visit and why that day had been extra lonely.  "It's John's and my wedding anniversary."

We prayed thanks for the years we had our devoted husbands.  Now that they were gone, we were blessed with our friendship.  Our mutual prayers could link us--and offer comfort before and after our visits.

Beth said their pastor often taught them to pray for their needs as well as for others.  "He emphasized the short verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray continually (NIV)."

It had become clear why Beth had been in my earlier thoughts and I felt the urgency to visit her.

And there you have Audrey's article, which I hope was a blessing to you.  Don't forget that tomorrow when, Lord willing we will resume our weekly Bible game.  Who knows, but you just might be the first one with the correct answer.

And now may the God of 
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, in these last days in which we live.  Lord willing, tomorrow the above-mentioned activity will take place.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul