“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” -Psalm 116:1-2
What does coffee, Cream Soda and aluminum foil have it common? They all played a part in the first hour of my day today at Mission of Hope.
I was preparing our “coffee area” this morning and as I poured coffee into the pot we serve it out of, the spicket was open and coffee came streaming out all over the counter. (This happened before we even opened.)
I spilled my latte that I made a special trip to Starbucks for (also happened before we opened).
I carried pop up from our basement to get in the coolers to be chilled for lunch, and as I began to set the pop on the counter, one of the cans of Cream Soda slipped out of its case, hit the floor and exploded all over the kitchen…the floor, the cupboards and all over me.
I spent the next several minutes mopping up the sticky mess. The floor was still sticky after mopping it. I then followed it up with our Swiffer. It was better, but spots of sticky-ness were still there. I then used a rag–on my hands and knees–to wipe the floor even better. I think the guys at the first table who saw the whole catastrophe felt sorry for me. A couple of them asked if I needed help. My stubborn side came flaring out…I was bound and determined to clean up my own mess. (I should have accepted their help.)
Oh, and it’s gets even better…
Before 10am, Kimmie and I were layering the hamburger patties we were having for lunch today in pans between layers of aluminum foil. We were about half-way done when I pulled a large sheet of aluminum foil off the roll, and when I pulled it down for it to run over the cutting strip, I must have gotten the sheet too close to the electrical outlet nearby…sparks flew, I felt a small shock, and needless to say, both Kimmie and I screamed!! I was stunned…”What just happened?” were the only words I could muster. I took a look at the sheet of foil still in my hands, and it looked like something ate a big chunk off the side. “Can I go home now?!” where the next words out of my mouth. (Those poor guys at the first table must have thought I was a basket-case this morning…and I can’t blame them if they did!)
Bless Kimmie’s heart…she stopped and said, “We’re going to the office to pray now.” And we did. I began to read today’s devotion (we do that together during our morning prayer time), still amazed at happenings of my morning, and suddenly I couldn’t stop the tears. Kimmie had to finish reading it for me. These were the words I couldn’t finish reading, “I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My Face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you breathe.”
Oh, how I needed those encouraging words from my Savior. All I could think of was that He was hovering over me as I dropped the can of pop and it exploded. And He was nearer than I realized as the sparks flew from the outlet. I wasn’t alone in those circumstances…He was with me. I felt like He was really talking straight to me this morning. He was with ME! And then I heard Kimmie’s prayer which melted me…she prayed in a way I have never heard her pray before. She prays with me each day, but today’s was different and even more special. Again…more tears.
The entire day seemed like a challenge for me in different ways. Throughout the day though, I remembered this morning’s devotional. And as I did, I called upon His name…even if it was under my breath. Then I logged on to my blog tonight and found today’s scripture which I added at the beginning of this post. I was blessed. I will call on Him as long as I live. Amen!
Through the little and big catastrophies of life, we can call on His name…anytime, anywhere, regarding anything. He is ALWAYS with us…closer than the air we breathe!
(Watch out for that aluminum foil too…it can be dangerous!)
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