He Did it Again

I love telling the “He-Did-It-Again” stories. You know. Those stories that verify “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called for His purposes” (Romans 8:28).

Case in point. While organizing my office supplies, I ran across an iPhone 6S Plus that I had before purchasing my iPhone 11. First, I’ll take a rabbit trail about my iPhone 11. Great phone. Great photos. When I had AT&T internet and TV installed in my apartment home, I agreed to have my iPhone 11 switched to AT&T service also. I was given a free iPhone 12, plus a $200 Visa card for the TV installation, plus a $100 Visa card for the internet installation. Plus, the account manager came personally to my apartment and ensured that the installation went well. I didn’t ask for it, but they knew I cancelled another company that I initially used and so many things went wrong. That’s an “All things work together for good” story of itself.

Back to my original story about my iPhone 6S Plus. I advertised it on Marketplace and a man texting me asked if it was “unlocked” meaning could it be used with any mobile service. Initially, I told him it was locked to Verizon, but in the night, I woke with the thought that I should try my AT&T sim card in it to see if it works with AT&T. If it works, then it means it is unlocked for any network. Promptly, upon waking up and after I post my blog, I check. I put the AT&T sim card in. To see if it works, I call my sis, Karen, in Tulsa. And whoa-la – she answers! Great!

But even greater it’s the exact time I needed to call her. She needs this call. You see – she is my mother-in-law’s 24/7 caregiver. Mom is 98 and, like we did getting up in the night many times for our babies, the role has been reversed and she runs to mom many times in the night because she is hurting or needs comforting.

As a caregiver, precious Karen is exhausted and often wonders if she does enough for mom and wonders if she’s patient enough or caring enough or doing enough. THAT call I make is God’s perfect timing to be His voice to her. To awaken her to her value and worth and importance. It is what she needs and what I need to remind me of those times when I was my mom’s caregiver and my husband’s caregiver. I speak to her as one who has been there. And at the end of the day for my mom and my husband, I knew God said to me: “Well done, good and faith servant!” That is what God is saying to Karen. And that is what He is saying to you, today, if you are a loving, loyal, and devoted caregiver.

I help Karen “reframe” her circumstances. One of the joys of her life has always been attending her granddaughter’s soccer games. Not being able to leave mom’s side, Karen has missed out on so many, but this year, Maddie’s first year at University of Tulsa where she is a starter, the games are televised on ESPN. Thanks be to God. Karen AND mom are getting to enjoy seeing her play. She always wears a red hair bow so it’s easy to distinguish her from all the rest. “All things work together for good……..”

Hopefully this post today is to remind us all – that living the abundant life with THE ONE Who came to give it to us – is the way to live. (John 10:10) Living there gives us hope in the stressful and down times that a new day is coming because “ALL THINGS – even the seemingly worst things – work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes!” So many bonuses coming our way when living this way!