I had an interesting conversation with a client yesterday that turned into what seemed like a fireside chat between two close friends catching up on stories.
It was beautiful! I was quite taken back by the experience because of course we’ve been engrained with the thoughts that relationships take time to build and gain trust. But this was beyond the norm.We started off with business first of course but then we were best friends discovering how much we had in common. Then the flood gates opened and she began sharing her private journey with me, of how her husband had passed away from cancer just five short months from that day. I told her how amazing she looked and that she did not look like what she had been through. She immediately reflected the credit to her heavenly father. I agreed with her statement and begin to tell her how I admired her stance and her continued love and commitment to God despite her tragedy.Unfortunately we all do not go through tragedy well, and sometimes people blame God for their misfortune but not her. She had no understanding of why but I’m sure she questioned it. Yet she still held on to her faith for dear life. She sat at my desk and cried, as she reiterated over and over again how grateful she was to have met me and believed without a doubt that she was meant to meet me. We both acknowledged the presence of God we felt. While sitting there at my desk she pointed to the goosebumps on her arm. I nodded, that I did too, and smiled.”This is crazy”, I told to her. Tears began to well up, as I expressed my gratefulness to have met her. God always sends encouragement when we are in the trenches of indecisiveness and not sure what step to take next. It was as if we had known each other for years and I felt a love for her I couldn’t explain. This may sound strange but it was like she was a long lost sister I had just reunited with.But this wasn’t the first encounter, this had to have been the fifth one in a two week time span, all occurring while at work. It was as if God had dispatched Angel’s to minister to me. Each new encounter was getting closer and closer just like when a woman is getting ready to give birth, the closer the contractions are, the closer to the moment of delivery we are.I remember for my second son, I wanted to be at home as long as I could so that I wouldn’t have to be in the hospital too early and be uncomfortable. I’d rather wait it out until it was close to D-day. Since it was the 2nd child I thought I’m fine. I waited at home until my contractions were two to three minutes apart. Once they hit that target I told my husband it’s time to go to the hospital. He decides to drive me to the doctors office and I didn’t realize it until we were almost there and asked where he was going. He says, “to the doctors office”.”NOOO”, I shouted we have to go to the hospital, he’s coming. At this point the contractions are getting more intense. So intense that my water broke while sitting in the seat. Mind you, it was my friends car, she let us borrow it because our car was on the fritz. You can imagine how embarrassed I was. We get to the hospital and two hours later our second son was born.I say this to say the contractions are a sure sign of delivery. And for me these beautiful encounters were critical to me not giving up. I kind of felt like Abraham, when God kept reminding him he was going to have a son even in his old age. We need to be reminded who we are and what Gods promises for our lives are and be assured that his words never expire or lose efficacy. They still carry weight whether you are 10 years old of 80. Gods word still stands if you believe!I am so #happy and #grateful for these encounters that build faith, hope and #love. They remind me of Gods faithfulness inspite of my unfaithfulness. The signs shall follow those that believe, if you ask you will receive, if you seek, you will find, if you knock, the door will be opened unto you. Get to A.S.K.ing!
Mari Benning 