A Strange Door

When I found myself suddenly jobless in 2010, I had a hard think on what to do.
It quickly became evident that no one was going to hire anyone in the Seattle market whom was over 45.
I could return to Switzerland, Germany or Scotland - but I had lost most of my wealth in a bad land deal.
In fact I was stuck and quite impoverished, but God was providing.
I also had a grandchild to consider.
And a second daughter involved in a series of disasters.
sigh.

So summer was coming along and I had no plans.
None at all.

There was a call for volenteers to teach Vacation Bible School.
Never done it.
But how hard could it be?

Years later, and the call went out for teachers again.
But I was incredibly ill.
And NO doctor could figure it out.
So, I did not respond.

The night before the first day, the lady running the program called.
Begging me to just come and take a morning class.
They expected 30 kids.
Yeah, she guilted me into it!

I showed up and the were almost 90!
I had nothing.
So, while the sang and prayed,
I was praying to ... for just the slightest clue as to subject, message and method.

And the story of Jonah leapt to mind, literally as I opened my mouth!

It turned into an entire week.
Everyone bailed.
I was utterly exhausted by Thursday and still had to do a wrap on Friday!

All through the classes these two little girls sort of stuck by me.
No idea why.
I guess they thought I was safe.
Later, I was to learn they had no father.

In the five years since, I have rarely seen them.
They are always happy to see me,
And still remember those lessons!

Sunday, I was not in good shape.
The surgical scars were all painful.
I got little sleep.
And no one really ever talks to me.
sigh...

I was down.

Suddenly, there was the eldest of these two girls.
Excited to see me.
Talked with me even!
And a big hug!

And I thought on this at lunch.
She never would have been an encouragement to me,
Except for my willingness to do something for Him so long ago.
Somehow she found something in those messages which spoke to her.
She is amongst the few.
It is a mystery to me,
How God works,
And why.
90 kids came, two stuck to me like glue,
At least one seems to have walked away with more .....