God Visited Today

The knock at the door this morning was after a crying drive home from the rehab center where my father was scheduled to stay for another three weeks. It has been two short weeks since his quintuple bypass. My husband is having shoulder surgery this coming Monday. We are hosting an extravaganza of an engagement party this coming weekend that could not be cancelled, and my father said that he was leaving ‘that place’ and going home today. His doctor, the son of my parents' dear friends, said he could.

I just told a dear friend on the phone earlier this morning that my spiritual condition was running on empty. I have been doing too much thinking, planning, listing, reporting,fantasizing, fixing,daydreaming, eating,organizing, criticizing,joking,procrastinating,prevaricating,forgetting,re-membering.

The two young women at the door were total opposites in appearance. The first one I noticed had on giant white- rimmed Chanel-like sunglasses, short, stylish bleached blonde hair, a long funky skirt, rhinestone chandelier earrings, and a turquoise scarf looped around her neck. She was clutching a Louis Vuitton satchel. Her elfin features and soft eyes were highlighted with metallic navy eyeliner. She had the kindest smile I have ever seen.

Her friend was in complete contrast. She was a young woman who was the essence of demure. She wore a long -sleeved white blouse , a long navy skirt and sensible shoes.They began to speak completely in Spanish. I invited them to sit on the wicker chairs I have on my front porch. A gentle force outside myself extended that invitation. I just gave up.

Then I began to cry. They were there to say that God loves me and that the answer to all of my troubles today and forever is stated in God’s word- the Bible. That the words of the Bible are living, they give strength, they work when nothing else does. They were there to say that helping in my father’s care, regardless of what he may say or do, is a divine gift.

The entire time the first young woman spoke in Spanish , quoting scripture and writing references for me to read later, her partner knelt by my chair and rested her hand gently on my knee. They talked about fear and how we will all face difficult things and that God knows exactly what is happening in our lives and that He cares.

When a neighbor stopped her car at my mailbox to ask how things were going, they smiled and said that God wants us in relationship with one another. They asked how long my mother has been gone, and I cried even more.

List making and living life on life’s terms are not the remedies to ease the cause of tears. I am just so humbled and grateful for this precious, absolutely surprising, take your breath away, in the flesh gift . Thank you God.