God’s Providence

“Put your phone down.”

“You are so right,” I replied as I looked up into the face of someone who we became acquainted with years ago when she was an Elmhurst Hospital employee. Seventy-five year old Libby inquired about Laurence. She told me about her children, grandchildren, and how she worried about her daughter who’d lost her job. I could share freely with her about God and His ways, and she did with me, as we stood there outside Aldi where I’d gone to buy groceries. Libby told me to take care of Laurence. “Tell my friend, ‘hello,'” she said as I pulled the rolling backpack on to the bus stop.

I couldn’t ignore God’s benevolent providence in the chance meeting or in another small incident. I’d had an email saying a library book was due. I felt sure I’d taken it back before we went to Kansas. Before going to bed one night, I pulled a journal from a bookcase. It was a strange thing for me to do. The next morning when I put it away, I was surprised and glad to see the library book on the shelf where the journal went.

Today an amazing thing happened when I went to the Asian market for shrimp. Three cleancut bearded guys asked if I’d do a survey as I walked by the playground where they were. I asked them, “Are you Mennonites?” They weren’t. The others walked away and the man talking to me introduced himself as Bert. I agreed to do the survey: “What do you believe about truth, Jesus, God… What would you like to have prayed for?”

Bert quizzed me about the Mennonite community. We talked about living in Elmhurst. I then asked Bert where he lives. “In Alabama. Around Guntersville!” He knows my people there!

Bert asked if he could pray with me. It humbled me to say, “Yes, of course.” Bert removed his cap. He prayed for Berniece. He prayed for the community of Elmhurst. He prayed for the revival at Sugar Hill Mennonite Mission.

We’re on the train to the revival that God has begun in my heart.

Berniece