The printer in my small office whirred, spitting page after page into the tray below . . .
Good! Things were rolling along as I assembled currents events and curriculum for that evening's class at my dental assistance school.
A loud buzz interrupted my fixation. I stood for a moment and a second buzz signaled from the laundry room. My cue. Dutifully, I left the computer area and headed down the hall.
With my arms full of clean, dry towels, a little thought approached me from inside. Actually, it was already a full-blown idea which included a directive.
Grabbing the wet laundry from washer, I hurried to fill the dryer and get it tumbling. Moving right along! Things were getting accomplished for both work and home!
The thought was still in the forefront of my mind. It had to do with taking care of something important – not for me, but for someone else. It was for someone who had a certain need.
As I mused, I wondered why no one else had helped yet. I knew it was the Holy Spirit nudging me, and I would get right on it! I will do that – – Soon !
The towels, spilled from my arms onto the sofa. Turning to go, I heard the printer in the office, still busily at work, accompanied by an indistinguishable fluttering sound. I listened for a minute.
Things seemed okay. Glancing back at the clean laundry and then at the clock, I told myself that it wouldn't take long to fold and put these away, so I dove right in and got it done.
About that time, my ear was alerted to a beeping sound in the office. The out-of-paper tone sent me scurrying to add paper to the printer. What a mess I discovered! Papers had fluttered to the floor and now the printer was jammed too!
On top of clearing a tough printer-jam with stuck paper coming out piece-by-piece, re-collating all those lessons took quite a bit of time.
Just as I finished, the dryer buzzed again. The second load was done. Turning the printer back on – – I gave it some keyboard commands and its usual revving sound indicated that it was back in service.
Just then the garbage truck pulled up in front, and I could tell when it had finished dumping the cans. Hmmm…they were late today. Making a mental note, I knew I should pull those trash cans in soon, so my husband could get into the driveway when he came home from work.
Stunned! I was stunned. What was that? It came again.
I stopped in my tracks!
Those words had been spoken by God to King Saul. They were in the Bible and I had read the account. Now they were coming at me!
Those towels fairly flew out of my arms as I tossed them like hot potatoes!
As it turned out, my heavenly errand accomplished what it was supposed to, albeit, a little later than it should have been done. The person was blessed, and God's love had been shown. Any later, and they may have done without.
Rolling back the years to when my kids were small, my thoughts turned to a time when one of them needed to be seen by a doctor, but I had no money to cover the bill. My confidence was that God would supply the funds because I had been doing what He directed me to do. I knew He would take care of me!!
So, I wrote on a little piece of paper, "God – Paid by God" and put it in my pocket. I kept my hand around that little note and confidently went to the appointment.
About the time the appointment was to end, a scurry of emergency vehicles arrived. The doctor and nurse apologized, but hurried us out of the office, promising to call for a follow-up. Off we went, rejoicing.
Some people act off-the-cuff, and hope God will come through, but I wasn't presuming or being foolish. I knew God's voice.
No name. No matter. God had supplied. Just think if that person HAD acted when God spoke to them.
Personally, I NEVER want to hear that reminder about rebellion again! Alerted to all those other noises and signals, I had neglected the most important one of all – – God's voice.
Am I perfected in all these areas? Absolutely not, but I am so much better at setting aside what I am doing aside and responding to the Holy Spirit's nudging – especially about praying for people.
To be ever alert to His promptings and to be instant in season are my constant goals!