I Remember

article by Paul Lipe

A lesson that a missionary from our denomination taught our children and, at the same time, brought its truth to my memory.

This all took place when our two youngsters were in elementary school.

It it the practice of our church for missionaries to visit those churches which give them financial and prayer support. These visits usually take place when the missionary is on furlough, which they experience every four years. It was on such a visit that the lesson took place.

This particular visit was set for the week of Christmas and our guest wanted to get home to celebrate with his own youngsters. A storm was forecast that had the potential of closing the Monroe airport. Such a action would prevent our missionary from being with his children for Christmas. A barrier to his plans was inclement weather which could force him to postpone his travel. He needed the weather to clear up …right then! In opposition to his prayers were those of my kids. They were praying for a heavy snow which would close schools.

Following our evening worship service, we were gathered in our den to listen to the weather report and to devise our plan according to what we learned from our report. Thankfully the weather report was welcomed by both my kids and the missionary. The storm was not predicted to be so severe to close the runways in Monroe. However,  the storm was to be strong enough to produce several inches of snow and to close schools. This report pleased both the missionary, who would be able to spend Christmas with his children, and our children to be dismissed from school so they could build a snowman and play in the snow.

It was at this time the missionary taught his lesson. He said to us, and particularly to our children, “Isn’t our God so wonderful. With His love and through His power he was able to answer your prayers and to answer mine.”

This truth of God‘s love and power in the lives of so many of us has brought countless blessings, even when circumstances seem to be working against us. May we learn to trust Him who uses His power and demonstrates His love for the blessings of His children.