I laugh today when I read the opening scripture. It is so appropriate for my life right now! As I have listened to you these last days I have been consoled with words that encouraged me. You have exhorted me in Philippians 2:13 that it is you who “works in [me] to will and to do your good pleasure”. I must trust that You have been working in me all this time and speaking into my life, directing me, and guiding me regarding the cottage. In this later regard you reminded me in John 10 that You are the shepherd who calls me by name. I am one of your sheep who hears you, who listens and I follow your voice. You have been leading me and I must trust this. I have not been wandering on my own path. I hear you speaking Lord and must trust, trust, trust!
But today’s scripture from John 14 is a real hoot because it commences with “Don’t let your heart be troubled. You trust/believe in God, now trust/believe in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you...When everything is ready I will come and get you”. This is the New Living Translation of the Bible but I love the King James which says “In my Father’s house are many mansions”! Another translation indicates that in your house are many dwelling places! It persuades me that I am following closely after You. Thank you for responding to my heart’s cry, Father, because yesterday I cried out to You to show me your will. How much more specific can it get then this? It comforts me on all levels.
These early morning reflections indicate that God consoled and encouraged Mary in the area of fear that had arisen in heart of whether or not she was following God’s will for her life. Later this same day Mary was cheered even more when her agent emailed Mary to let her know someone wanted to look at the house on Tuesday. Further uplifting came when one of the women from the church left a message on her machine. It seemed they were having a volunteer orientation day at the Windsor Jail in a week. The woman had talked to Mary months and months ago about volunteering. Now in the midst of Mary’s searching and waiting for something this invitation came. Mary had jumped to it immediately and contacted the chaplain at the Jail. He was happy to send her out an application. She would fill it out and bring it with her when she came for the training day.
By the Friday night before Thanksgiving Mary felt all her agonizing prayers had been answered. God, her Father, had touched her intimately with two responses. She realized as the holiday fast approached she had a lot to give thanks for. She was so grateful for the hope God had placed in her heart. Mary smiled to herself and was reminded once again of one of the Pastor’s wives often quoted euphuism: God is good, all the time, all the time. For some reason it had taken Mary most of her life to realize this. But it was understandable after years of listening to the worst about herself and believing it. But she was finally getting it after all these years. She was, after all, one of his sheep, who listened to His voice, wasn’t she?
