A Tale of Two Ladies

   As we continue on our travels today, I take some time to look back on the experiences of yesterday.

   We made a couple of visits, one in Knoxville and one here in Chattanooga, to two ladies, both of which we had known for a long time, and who were, and still are, important in our lives.

   The first was a friend that had come into our lives when we were first married. We lived in Knoxville then, starting our first job, beginning our lives together in a new city, with new challenges and our future stretched out before us.

   I have often heard it said that we can choose our friends, but God chooses our neighbors. Well, this lady was one of our new neighbors, and has been one of our friends for many years. God put her and her husband in our lives in that formative period, and we were the better for it.

   Now she sits in an assisted living facility in Knoxville. Her mind is failing as well as her mobility, but she was excited to see us. We had a good time, remembering and laughing together, and it was good for all of us. We knew, when the visit ended and we drove back to Chattanooga, that it was a visit that we were supposed to make, for us and for her. We were blessed and felt that we had brought her some measure of joy also. That is a good way to leave a visit, one that had a purpose for all.

   As we came back into Chattanooga, we stopped and spent some time with another lady, one who, with her husband, had been important in our lives when we lived here. We had served together in a couple of churches and done ministry together up in the mountains of East Tennessee at a Christian camp.

   This lady is still active, gets around well, has a good mind as well as a beautiful voice. She lives alone, but God has allowed her to have some of her children and grand children close by, as well as giving her avenues of service in her church.

   We spent some time together, remembering old times and people from our collective pasts, and it was good. It was fun, and, I believe each of us felt good about the time we spent together.

   Just the thinking back on yesterday made me realize how taking some time to be in touch with others who have been important in our lives, can be a blessing, both to them and to us. God gives us these opportunities, and when we follow His leadership, and take the time, he rewards our efforts.

   Now we travel again today, moving on down into South Carolina to be with family for a couple of days. What are the opportunities there? Where and how does God lead? Will we be open to ministry and blessing?

   He gives us the time, and He knows what today will bring. I pray that we will be ready.