We were having a delightful supper at Applebee’s. We had prayed for Rachel, our waitress, and her son Raemar. With the bottomless sides and bountiful sandwiches, we were more than content. It was then that Rachel returned – sat down with us and gave us much more information on her life and her son. She made our evening special … it’s so much fun “going with God’s flow.”
That was Sunday evening (we missed Tuesday’s fund raiser). On that Tuesday I was all set up for six home visits … that was until I was recruited to be an “Uber driver” for T-ball practice. I moved the last visit to Monday afternoon … which was about when I received a text from visit #5 requesting a postponement. Now with only four scheduled visits (and the joy of T-balling with Brooklyn) I continued to go with God’s flow.
The 10:00 a.m. visit was its normal (great) conversation and communion. There was no one home at the 11:00 – with no answer from her phone, I texted her to see where my mistake was. I went on to my next house. Again, no one home … and this time the phone call informed my that the number I was dialing had been disconnected. As I wrote a note to leave on the door, my phone rang. It was my 11:00 a.m. informing me that she was in physical rehab nearby. I drove there, and we had a great visit. During our conversation I was informed of another STL member who was in the same facility (no one knew). You should have seen the delightful and surprised look on her face as I walked into that room. Our Lord Jesus was making a very important re-connect … and I was the one blessed to just keep going with God’s flow.
That evening I texted a relative of my noon (phone disconnected) visit. A few minutes later I received a reply from the relative (who happens to live in Kansas City). The individuals I was seeking are now in assisted living (a great move, by the way). I will be sure to visit them in the next two weeks … of course, the timing will depend on how the flow goes.
Somewhere in the midst of all this I received a phone call from the Michigan District Office. It was Dr. Kasper asking me to consider becoming the Intentional Interim Pastor (IIM) at a congregation about 45 minutes away. The position would be ¾ to full time and would start in August. Since I can’t see myself doing that while continuing my current ministries as Circuit Visitor and Visiting Pastor, I have a lot to pray about. This is where “going with God’s flow” gets difficult … discerning the direction of his flow (because I have no interest whatsoever in going against the flow!).
Words from Psalm 31frame my prayer: “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge … in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! … You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me … into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. … I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand. … Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”(Psalm 31.1, 3, 5, 14-16)
This psalm of David is a “going with God’s flow” kind of psalm. It speaks of the stressors David was facing while continually returning to the fact that God’s love and mercy are constantly in control (especially when we don’t see it) and that all we have to do is go with his flow.
Thus, as I today solicit your prayers, I will also encourage you with the final two verses of the psalm: “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful … Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 31.23-24) Great words inviting us to go with God’s gracious flow … every day and in every situation.
