A Chain of Events

posted on Jan 05 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

Sometimes we wonder what possible good could come out of unpleasant circumstances. But if everyone would have a little faith and remember that God’s word (Romans 8:28) tells us, “All things work to the good of those who love the Lord,” then we might find unexpected pleasure in a change of events like I did.

Just short of a month before this particular day, I had been in the hospital with a multiple sclerosis flair-up and had just finished a round of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection at that time. Now I was 99% sure I had another infection and was getting ready to go in to see my urologist. As I gathered my stuff, a small voice suggested I take one of both my books in with me. I hesitated but, of course, they do sell better when I have them with me!

Well, my doctors say I “know my body better than anyone else” and sure enough, once again I had a full-blown infection. I was to meet my sister and brother at lunch. As I was getting on the elevator, a nurse stopped me and asked if I was coming or leaving. She had been one of my nurses in 2002 when I was in the Stanback Rehab Unit for five weeks. She told me later that she worked third shift then and remembered the night my toes started wiggling after twenty-nine days of being immobile.

Gina asked if I would go with her to a room where her brother was a patient and her aunt was sitting with him. She said, “My aunt loves your stories and has always wanted to meet you.” She thought meeting me might cheer her up a little and brighten her day during this sad time. I told her I was to meet my family at 11:00 but I would go for just a short visit.

As we entered the room, she told her aunt that she had bought someone to meet her. When this tiny elderly lady looked up and saw me, she sprang out of her chair, threw her arms around me and kissed me on both cheeks. It was obvious that she was very excited to meet me and made my day when she said that I am even more beautiful than she thought I would be. This little visit sure was special especially since I had dreaded going out in the 100 degree heat.

Under the circumstances I wasn’t sure how appropriate it was to offer to sell her my books, but somehow I knew that at times reading can have a calming effect during troubled times. I would have loved to just give them to her, but with the cost of living today I can no longer afford to do that. So now those two books that almost got left in the van are in the hands of that dear sweet lady and, hopefully, can be a blessing to her during the next few weeks.

While writing this story that night, I realized this had been one of those times when the Lord gave me an opportunity to “let my light shine” by having a word of prayer with this troubled family.

While I was letting the ramp down to get in the van, a car stopped behind me and a lady said, “Hello.” Once again I was blessed as she told me how much she has always wanted to meet me and what my stories have meant to her over the years. She also complimented me on my appearance and lifted me up out of my cloudy mood. (These kind folks sure see something I don’t see when I look in the mirror; age and bad health are taking me down.)

I asked her if she would like to buy a book. She said she would love to have the first one, “My Sanctuary” but had no money with her. I gave her a card with my address and told her she could send me a check later.

I realized I was going to be late for lunch, but I decided I would tell Mary, Mike and Dale that I had been “kidnapped.” Who would have thought that going to the doctor in extremely hot weather, hurting as bad as I was that anything good would come out of that. But it is always a pleasure to meet people who feel like they know me or want to know me better. God is so good even in the bad times!

A postscript: I’m beginning to feel like some pastors do when they tell how they needed money and received a check or cash, or even food. The following day I received a check from Southern Spirit Gallery where the manager has sold some of my homemade cards from time to time. I thank God for every blessing including that little bit of rain last night when I was working on this story!