Over the last month I have had very little time to post devotionals.  It is a challenge for me, as it is for everyone else to spend the time needed in the Word of God.  With life throwing things at you at warp speed it makes it difficult.  And then there are those times when you are doing your time in His teahings, but He does not for whatever reason, tap you on the shoulder and say.."This needs to be posted."  That is where I have been.  Somewhere in the midst of both of these scenarios.  So, I have been doing all I needed to with illness in my family and with myself and working diligently to get through my daily studies without pulling my hair out until finally I said I need a break.  I made a few phone calls, nagged David all day, and then finally, purse on my shoulder, I was headed for a few hours break.  Which translates to fishing at night, in the quiet with only God to keep me company.  Although David would never let me go alone, for safety reasons, he doesn't care to fish and so he stays in the camper and gives me my needed space.  I often refer to these stolen moments as a mental health break, my little joke.  I had begun cooking up this plan earlier in the day.  My son was much improved and so I was assured that these few hours would not be a problem.  But all day I was sitting on ready.  I wanted to go.  I felt like I never felt...I needed to go.  And naturally, it was all about me.  So when I arrived it took me only moments to grab my gear and a large cup of coffee and I was out the door and on the dock.  For the first hour or so I reflected on all that had transpired in the last  month or so.  I prayed, I recited verses I had been teaching my youngest daughter and sure enough, I felt myself begin to settle down.  That anxiousness subside.  Then, our neighbors came home.  They are very nice people who are very careful when my children are around to not swear and the like.  I had never seen them drink, and had never seen them in this condition.  I said hello and the conversation began.  Even though her husband and brother in law went inside, J decided to stay outside and talk to me.  At first our conversation was the usual, how is work?, and we should all get together and go to dinner., type stuff.  Then the conversation lulled and suddenly she says.. "I was raised Southern Baptist, you know."  This one, out of  place, simple statement almost knocked me out of my chair.  Because I then knew where my unusual anxiousness came from.  I knew why I was so determined to be there that night.  I had a divine appointment. 
We talked for hours about why she ran from God.  What it meant to be a Christian.  We talked about what she believed and what it meant to live a life contrary to God's Word.  We even talked about her husband and them starting a family.  She is determined to put her life right before that happens.  I honestly can not tell you if I helped her more or if she helped me more.  As stressed out as I thought I was, I went looking only to appease myself, but God showed me, yet again, that in Him I serve a higher calling. At any time of day, anyone, anywhere, you may have a Divine appointment.  At midnight, on Logan Martin Lake, with a woman I know only in passing, He had it all set up.  All I had to do was be there.

Lesson Learned...again.

In HIS service,
C.