And one that always shows up just in time to save me. Ya know, navigating this world as a Christian can be challenging to say the least. My pastor told me back in 2014 that it would be that way, but I suppose I didn’t understand it at the time. He also said that what God had planned for me might not look anything like what I had planned for myself, and he was right.
So when “the evil one” is in my face and it seems like he might be winning, Jesus sends along a lifeboat. Now that lifeboat may come in the form of my baby granddaughter watching me intently with her beautiful and adoring eyes, as I sing to her and rock her to sleep. Or maybe a conversation with my wife while we take an evening walk, and the busy days tensions melt away. It can even be a few minutes when I sit and watch an episode of “The Chosen”, my favorite television mini-series. But every so often He sends me an unmistakably obvious sign, usually in the form of a fellow Christian(s), co-navigating this flailing world, and who have a story to tell which inspires me to get back in the game or just play harder.
So when I met Sheila and her husband, Dr. and Minister Ian Hall at a local medical facility here in Lakeland Florida, the connection was almost immediate. As a writer, having interviewed and written about dozen’s of pastors, ministers and missionaries, I can actually feel the Holy Spirit when in the presence of true people of God, and the Hall’s are the real deal to be sure.
Sheila was post surgery and being treated by her doctor that day, but was happy share with me about the couples mission work in Romania and other places. Turns out she even knows a pastor whom I admire greatly. She also told me of her husband’s writing and a number of books he’d written on things like “the simple steps to a holy life”. As she spoke of the couples experiences I could feel myself lifted. I knew their work was changing lives for Christ, and this is always uplifting for me. To be around such folks in the midst of so much turmoil always seems to do me good. In fact, there has been turmoil in my own life lately, but once again God showed up and calmed the seas so my ship might pass.
Well I saw the Hall’s again the following day as Sheila had returned for additional testing. And while I’m praying for her full recovery, she did take the opportunity to give me two autographed books, written by the Dr. Hall, “Called To A Practical Holy Life”, and “Times of Renewal”.
So it never ceases to amaze me how God is always there, working in the background, whether we realize it or not. And I’m thankful every day that He never forgets me. I look forward to reading Dr. Hall’s books, as I’m sure they will only augment my short time with he and Sheila and allow me to extrapolate more, of another one of His very much planned interactions in my life.
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