"How do you see your life being interrupted in the next seven
weeks as we study Jonah?" the bible study facilitator asked.
"Bahaha! Are you serious right now? I am Jonah. We
thought we would retire in our lovely, comfortable home of thirteen years in a Dallas
suburb. Atlanta wasn't even on our radar.
For two years we prayed the
Prayer-that-Never-Fails-"Thy Will be Done" and for favor as my
husband's company pursued a merger with another company. The failed merger led
to reorganization of the company and elimination of his job. At age 62 he fully expected to be given a retirement package. Instead he was given a promotion which required a move to Atlanta.
My family is in Texas. I have four granddaughters in
Oklahoma. (Yes, I have a daughter and son-in-law there too, but we all know who
really counts). I didn't want to leave Texas. However you don't pray for favor
and then tell God, "Oh, but not Atlanta!"
I moved AND downsized kicking and screaming. I
didn't want to leave my family or my friends. I didn't want to leave my church
and support group. I didn't want to leave a long list of medical providers.
Starting over is rarely fun, but certainly not when you've reached the age
where they no longer ask for your I.D. to give you the Senior Discount. Once upon a time all I needed was a general physician and occasionally an OBGYN. Now I require a
list of specialists to hold me together.
He has already
granted me favor in the smallest of things. Someone who cuts my hair right! The
first time! That, my friend, is what I call a miracle!!
The house I was certain
was much too small is perfect. Yes, I'm using three closets to hold my abundant
collection of clothes and accessories, but I'm cleaning it myself and using my
runs up and down the stairs as cheap gym membership.
I "happened" upon this women's bible study when
all the others I look into were finished until fall. Could the subject matter
be more appropriate for me? No.
So I thank Him for the interruption in my life and look
forward with anticipation to what He has in store for me. I'll let you know how
it's going, but so far obedience has paid off. I'm not in the belly of a whale!
"For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8