She heard it clear as day. Not aloud but from deep within, in her gut where the spirit resides. “Go file the papers”. Sheryl had been dragging her feet for weeks after realizing that her union with Michael was functionally over. They barely ever saw each other and Michael was working more often in the firm’s Denver law practice. In the interim, her architecture group was expanding and its global appeal further widened the geographic and emotional divide. Yet, a glimmer of hope, though faint, resisted the thought of divorce. Not having spent much time kneeling in prayer, Cheryl did just that. Again, the omnipresent voice reiterated the command. “Go file the papers”.
The very next day, Cheryl downloaded her templates and proceeded with executing her signatures. She was especially quiet, hoping the voice would retract its request. She struck a deal with herself that the next sign or intuition reinforcing this command would trigger her faith to obey. She placed the documents in her daughter’s yellow “Welcome Back” school folder while in the midst of reviewing educational supplies and the semester’s lunch menu.
Ariana suffered from childhood diabetes and her dietary restrictions and medication dosages were appended to her class assignment, within the same multi-use folder that her mother stashed the important manuscripts. Some days later, Sheryl noticed that Ariana looked unwell. Forgetting her issues for a moment, the worried parent recalled that the doctor’s information was kept in the folder. She retrieved it and serendipitously, a pink “Sign Here” sticky floated onto her lap. The Verified Complaint stared back at her. Knowing God’s love of marriage and family, she could not on her own reconcile the plan from her limited perspective. From her womb, she prayed for God’s continued intervention and begged for the Holy Spirit to visit her husband. She immediately praised God and after stabilizing her daughter’s blood sugar levels, she drove to the courthouse. Unexpectedly, the building was closed early due to unforeseen circumstances and Cheryl was unable to submit her summons.
Michael looked out over the cool Denver sky as he contemplated the outstanding discovery requests that were due on his pending cases the following week. He drowned his thoughts in the 100 year old bourbon that was gifted to him during the firm’s holiday party. He grew accustomed to the loneliness that set in after being away from his family for months on end. He and Cheryl spoke very coolly to each other as she recounted Ariana’s recent sickness. He desperately wanted to express his love but it slowly had become buried in life’s discontentments. He self-medicated with another swig of the warm, soothing whiskey. As the ice cubes clanked to the bottom of his etched tumbler, a measly older gentleman clobbered toward his door frame. He came unannounced and despite the company badge that hung off his lapel, he was unfamiliar. “Michael! I’ve been looking to talk to you. I just started with the firm a week ago and I need advice on my personal case.”
Michael soon learned that Mr. Rose was 78 years old and had worked at several of the firm’s locations until settling in Denver. Unusual was their encounter. Mr. Rose seemed extremely weepy and extolled the joys of family as he viewed the photographs situated on the bureau of Michael, Cheryl and Ariana during happier times. During a follow-up appointment, again Mr. Rose expressed boundless emotion as he reminisced about his 10 grandchildren and touted his long work history and even more expansive savings account. Clearly he didn’t need to work. Yet there he was again, in Michael’s office, swooning over the family pictures and emphasizing placing family as a priority. Something in Mr. Rose’s tears shook the entanglement that chained Michael’s heart. He jumped on the next flight home but never saw Mr. Rose again.
Even in the most spiritually “dead” times, God is near, guiding, watching over and sometimes even testing us. Faith will require trust and unusual movement on our part. Can you think of a more challenging test presented to Abraham when told to sacrifice his only son Isaac? Yet, at the last moment, God sent his angel to spare Isaac’s life. Faith through its spiritual manifestations will always set us up for Heaven’s table being set before us. Despite what we see, stay the course and await God’s open door.
Genesis 15:6: “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
God Works Always 