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In life, we don't always understand why certain things happen the way they
do, but we can rest assured that God is in control and in some way good
will come from that situation that seemed so bad. A scripture I think of
often is found in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose.” Be encouraged and know that no trial that comes your way can
defeat you because God's mighty hand of protection will cover you and lead
you to the heights of victory that come with trusting Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I hope this message ministers to your heart to see that good will come in
the end no matter how bleak the situation may seem right now.
A CHANGE OF HEART
It's the world we live in that made me feel that way. Otherwise I wouldn't
have thought for a moment about sitting next to that beautiful young girl.
My recent trip to Kentucky ran smoothly except for a near two hour delay
in Pittsburgh. I must admit I have never had a major problem while flying
across this great country. In fact, I believe this was the first time I
have ever experienced a delay that long.
But I always tell my travel agent that if ever I need to be delayed let it
be in Pittsburgh. They have the greatest shops and restaurants to keep me
busy for hours.
They finally announced boarding. Now I don't believe for a moment that I'm
the only person who goes through this. From the moment I enter the plane I
start scanning ahead to see my seat. “Who's sitting next to me on this
flight?” I wonder. “Is there anyone in my seat already?” That's happened a
few times. “Are there any screaming babies nearby?”
Flight time is precious time for me. I sleep, write or read. So screaming
babies and frequent bathroom people become a problem.
Today I get to sit next to a beautiful young girl who appears to be about
12 years old. As I approach my seat she seems nervous, perhaps a little
apprehensive and I must say very disappointed. You see walking in front of
me was this handsome young male teenager. I could see that sparkle in her
eye dim as he walked by and I sat down. I'll admit I was nervous and
concerned. She was traveling alone and I was one of those strangers her
parents told her not to talk to.
“Hi! My name is Bob,” I said.
“Hello!” she replied without giving her name.
Then we spent the next one hour and fifteen minutes not saying a word.
She was a typical kid. She never sat still for longer than five minutes.
Often times she reached into her carry on and pulled out what appeared to
be six brushes, four packs of gum and all the empty wrappers, a bag filled
with jaw breakers, a tube of rainbow colored sugar crystals and three foot
long licorice. Oh, yes she also ate two bags of airplane peanuts. I gave
her mine.
It wasn't until the last 15 minutes of the flight that I heard it. That
sweet sounding Voice that said “Give her one of your books!”
“She's only 12,” I argued. “She won't find my book interesting. Do they
even know how to read at 12?” I thought sarcastically.
But again and again I heard it repeat, “Give her one of your books!” And
so I opened one up, signed it and said, “I am a professional speaker and
author. I'd like to give you one of my books if you would permit me.”
She giggled a bit and said yes followed by “Oh, thanks!”
I then began to explain the story.
“It's a fictional story based on actual events. I changed the names but
basically much of this is true. My oldest son, Keith had cancer and that's
part of this book.”
“Oh, I'm sorry”, she said. “No need to be. He's doing just fine, thank you.
Where are you from?” I asked.
Then for the next ten minutes this young lady never stopped talking. In
fact, as we were leaving the plane she talked and walked backwards down
the aisle.
Much of what she said was all a blur for me after she said these words:
“Wow, I just saw the Hershey Medical Center mentioned in there. Is that
where your son went for his cancer treatments?” she asked.
I nodded “Yes.”
“That's where I had my heart transplant,” she said with a big bright smile.
Heart transplant. This child had a heart transplant. Then I took notice.
Right at the top of her pink t-shirt, just below her collar bone, the
beginnings of a scar peeked over her collar. This vibrant young, beautiful
girl had the heart of a donor. Obviously a young donor who lived in a
family who cared enough to save another child's life.
She continued to share the details of her stay at Hershey. I continued to
listen in amazement. For the story she told was a familiar one. She was the
girl down the hall we all prayed for. I never knew how things turned out
for her until today.
They say some lives cross because they were meant to. This was more than a
chance meeting. I discovered that this child leaving Pittsburgh to go home
to Kentucky was a patient in the same hospital, on the same miraculous
floor, at the same time my son was there. That little Voice inside of me
kept telling me to give her a copy of my book. I argued. The Voice won...as always.
The last words she said to me was...“My Mom always told me that God was
going to call me home but then He had a ‘Change of Heart!’ Do you get it?”
Then she giggled and laughed as she walked through the last door into the
arms of her loving family.
I got it. I heard the Voice say, “Now you know why!”
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: HE IS IN CONTROL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem142.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD'S GREAT PROTECTION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony160.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
