#’s 999 & 1000!
April 20, 2012
This past week I was asked to speak at a friend’s funeral. I drove my Dodge truck across Pennsylvania; on to Columbus and down through Cincinnati, Ohio; continued on to Louisville, Kentucky; and over to southern Indiana and back again. The weather was pleasant; the traffic was mostly 18-wheelers and drivers steering large tankers.
Since my plan was to be on the road for over 24 hours, I took the Message version of the Bible on CD and a passel of Louis L’ Amour westerns on my I-pod. Between recordings, I reflected on Dan’s challenge to count at least 1,000 of my blessings.
Driving thru the night, I rediscovered that sleep (#856) is such a huge blessing! My respect and appreciation for our own professional bus driver and shepherd, Dwight Thompson, mounted minute by minute – (# 857)!
Well, I made it to southern Indiana, visited with spiritual family, spoke at my friend’s funeral, and am presently in a motel on my way home.
Now what was my most memorable moment?
At the gravesite, a lady whispered in my ear that over 25 years ago, a woman came to me for counseling and I encouraged her not to have an abortion. She said that baby was grown up now and had a child of her own and she wanted to meet me!
You have to understand all of this was happening minutes after finishing the gravesite service of a close friend! I still get goose bumps when I reflect on what happened next.
A woman I had never met stepped forward shook my hand and said “thank you.” We hugged and prayed together on the spot, just a few feet away from my friend’s casket. The goodness and mercy of God and His impeccable timing continue to amaze me – (#’s 999 & 1,000)!
I’m back on the road again; New Jersey here I come!
God is good.
Mr. Steve
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