I wrote the blog post, “Hope in Houston,” a couple of weeks ago while I was getting chemotherapy at the hospital. I was by myself that day since I was feeling good and it was a short appointment. When the chemo was finished, I walked outside to wait for the shuttle to take me back to the hotel. We had actually checked out that morning, but Jean was going to pick me up at the hotel since we hadn’t figured out the new shuttle system yet.
So, thanks to my writing I guess I had the right frame of mind when Michael started talking to me. We were both waiting for the same shuttle, unbeknownst to either of us. I soon learned that he has leukemia, too, and is a Believer. After ten minutes or so, the shuttle came. We strolled over to get on, but soon all the seats were taken and Michael and I were left waiting for the next one. No problem. It wasn’t too hot and I was feeling well, plus I could get to know more of Michael’s story.
Another fifteen minutes passed. Right before the shuttle arrived, up walked Shawn, a lady who was staying at our hotel and whose son has cancer. Christi and I randomly met her at breakfast one morning. We soon learned her story and had talked to her numerous times on the shuttle to the hospital. The prognosis for her son was not promising. I don’t know if she is a Believer or not. What I do know is that she needed hope and encouragement.
Soon, Shawn, Michael, and I loaded the shuttle. It was just the three of us and the driver. I learned that Shawn and her son would be returning home the next day. That, and the fact that we had checked out of the hotel, meant that this would likely be the last time I would see her. As we silently sat there, idling at a red light, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to pray with her. I didn’t want to. I started sweating a little and felt my heartbeat quicken. I kept thinking of Matthew 18:19,20, “For where two or more are gathered…” Reluctantly, I asked her if Michael and I could pray for her and her son. She quickly said yes. So, in a van in a new city with two strangers, we prayed for hope and healing. All because of a missed shuttle.
Now, don’t mistake this for being about my obedience or exceptional evangelical skills. It’s quite to the contrary. I’d have preferred to bury my nose in my iPhone and catch up on the news or Facebook drama. What this is about, however, is God’s magnificent ability to work in any situation and use it as reminder of His incredible grace and love.
Like Moses built an alter in remembrance and thanksgiving for God’s defeat of the Amalekites in spite of the Israelite’s grumbling (Exodus 17:15), so God uses seemingly random divine appointments (there have been several) to remind me that He is at work. He does this in spite of the fact that sometimes my faith wanes in the shadow of the mountain that we are climbing. He reminds me of his faithfulness when the doctors don’t seem very optimistic. He reminds me of all that he has already done in our lives, how he has been true to his promises. He is faithful, whether in Houston or Berea or anywhere else, bringing hope to the hopeless and healing to the stricken, all for His glory.
Hello, Jeff.
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your faith and faithfulness, in spite of what you’re going through. I’m a good friend of Robert Lake, in Richmond, KY. The elders at our church get together every Thursday morning to pray. You are on our prayer list and we’re praying for a complete remission and healing.
– Bob Jones
Bob, thank you for that encouragement and for your prayers.
Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16-13. You are in our thoughts and prayers. – J. Begley
Thanks, Jason. Good verse.