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| "Tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we can't speak." Psalm 56:8 |
The phone rang, I said Hello. I heard a lady at the other end mumbling and saying something I couldn't decipher.
I can't understand what you're saying, my name's Donna who are you calling?
"Oh, I'm sorry I have the wrong number." she sniffled.
That's okay, no worries. I said.
She mumbled and her voice cracked in between sobs. "I'm so sorry."
I blurted out, Wait, don't hang up, what's wrong, are you okay?
She started crying, "No, I'm in the hospital. I just had surgery last night. I was trying to call my friend. I'm having a real hard time and I'm in a lot of pain. I was in a car wreck, this was my third surgery. I don't think I can do this anymore."
At this point she was sobbing and crying hysterically.
Young lady, it's going to be okay. You didn't dial a wrong number. I believe God had you call me so I could pray for you! What is your name?
I could hear she was trying to catch her breath, and through her whimpering she said, "My name's Joyce. Oh, thank you so much, I put in a call for the Chaplin last night but I haven't heard back from anyone and I told God I really needed someone to pray for me."
Take a deep breath Joyce, I'm a Minister and God has connected us so I can pray for you!
So I prayed and she cried. I prayed some more and she cried some more. We touched Heaven with our prayers and the Lord comforted her and filled her with His peace.
"Thank you, I feel so much better already!"
You're welcome, but it's God you need to thank, not me. He is the one who arranged our phone call. Do you Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
"Oh yes, I'm a believer."
Well, Praise God, He heard your prayers and He wants you to know He hasn't left you. He's been right by your side this whole time!
"I broke my neck, pelvis, femur and ribs. This is my third surgery and they say I have to have more."
We are going to pray and believe God that you are healed by His stripes and you will have a speedy recovery in Jesus name.
Her voice changed and she sounded stronger,"Oh,Thank you! Yes please, I want to go home."
Would it be okay if I ask my friends to pray for you too?
"Yes please, that would be wonderful."
Well Joyce, we will all be praying for you and someday we will meet face to face.
"Yes Ma'am, Thank you so much for praying for me! I feel so much better and so much lighter, like I have hope again and I know now that God is watching over me."
*A few days later after calling multiple Hospitals in the area, I was able to track down where Joyce was staying. I went to visit her but she was having another procedure. I sat for a while in the waiting room and prayed in the spirit for her. Then I left flowers, a Bible and a special Devotional for her in her Hospital room.
A couple days later I received this message:
"Thank you so much! You have touched my heart and soul deeper than I could have ever imagined. You will be with me forever and a day Mrs. Donna Lind. I can't wait to meet you! I was released earlier than they expected. Thank you for praying for me, I am truly blessed to be alive today. Not a minute goes by that I don't think about how God saved my life that day."
We stayed in touch for awhile. The Doctors and Physical Therapist's said her recovery was Miraculous! We talked on the phone for hours and messaged back and forth for several months. She loved to hear about Jesus. We made dates to have lunch after her physical therapy and rehab but something always came up and we never got together.
Then one day she stopped answering my calls, her number was disconnected and I couldn't find her again.
She is always in my prayers. Her name is on the top of my Prayer List. I carry a part of her in my heart.
In life God sends unexpected people across our paths. We don't always know the ending of the story or see the results of our time spent with them.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 " I planted the seed in your hearts, Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."
I believe God used me to plant some seeds in Joyce's heart during a season of desperation. Somewhere out there someone else is watering those seeds and God is growing and increasing His love in her heart and life!
And maybe someday God will have her dial a "Wrong number" again and I will be the one to answer the call.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord and share the Good News!
~ Donna Selma Lind ~
