Helped by a Stranger

HELPED by a STRANGER

A friend of mine recently moved into a lovely retirement resort. I was delighted to be invited to her welcoming luncheon.

I did not know any of the other six ladies, but I enjoy meeting new people. I don’t recall what we were discussing when the lady next to me said, “Be anxious for nothing.” I responded, “Instead, pray about everything. I’ve learned the importance of that.”

No Hair

As I was brushing my hair this morning I was reminded of having a bald head back in 2007. After being diagnosed with breast cancer I had chemo, surgery, and radiation.

Chemo caused me to lose my hair. During the daytime I was comfortable tying a large cotton handkerchief around my head, knotted in back. My husband teased me about being his “motorcycle mama.” When out and about, I felt my bald had was quite covered up and not noticeable. I was wrong, but I was happy.

A Cold Head

It was summertime in Phoenix. Our little place had air conditioning, for which I was grateful; however, it was a problem at night. I slept with my head uncovered because the cotton headgear was uncomfortable. The AC gave me a cold head, even though I tried to cover my head with a sheet.

I thought, It’s summer in Phoenix. Surely some store will have knit beanies on a sale pile somewhere. I went to major department stores and sports equipment stores. When I asked for a knit beanie, not only did I get a negative answer but the sales clerks looked at me strangely.

I gave up and started to pray about it. My prayer was based on the scripture the lady mentioned at last week’s luncheon: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

An Unexpected Solution

One day I was in line at a pharmacy, waiting for my prescription. I noticed a lady observing me. She didn’t say anything, but as I left the pharmacy counter and shopped some other aisles I noticed her shadowing me.

Finally, she came up cautiously and said, “I hope you won’t be offended, but I belong to a group that knits caps for chemo patients. I have only one left. It’s lavender----would you like to have it?” 

WOULD I?

I waited while she went to her car. When she came back I tried to explain how thankful I was for her thoughtfulness. The beanie yarn was very soft and I slept soundly in it.

Many Thanks

Attached to the hat was a small card with the name and address of this caring group. I sent them a thank you note.

Of course, I also thanked God for hearing my prayer. I didn’t even know this group existed, but God knew I could be helped by a stranger.

The JOY of EASTER

The JOY of EASTER

I was sharing with a friend the other day how my mother gave us kids Easter baskets, though dad did not fully approve. Being a minister, he wanted to be sure we celebrated Easter for the right spiritual reasons.

Mom helped us color hard-boiled eggs. These were placed in our baskets on top of shredded green artificial grass. She would include a chocolate egg and other candy. The fun came in exploring our baskets before we left for church.

There we heard the Bible story of The Resurrection of Jesus. No one mentioned Easter baskets. That was just a fun thing we did at home. Well . . . mostly fun. Some of the fun disappeared when mom served boiled eggs in different ways the next few days.

Time Changes Things

A lot of churches and communities now do Easter Egg Hunts. Some have grassy areas to hide the eggs. Others have to get creative as they hide huge amounts of eggs indoors. Either way, it’s fun for the kids.

I’ve been in churches that requested donations of plastic eggs and wrapped candy. I’ve contributed because I know children look forward to hunting Easter eggs. And, if they come, they will hear the Biblical story of Jesus and His Resurrection.

The Cross and the Garden

We acknowledge the hard part of Jesus' story on Good Friday. He suffered on the cross. I don’t like to think about that, but I rejoice in His words, “It is finished.” His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin complete, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (John 19:30). 

There was a garden near the crucifixion site. Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb there (John 19:38-41). Years ago, I enjoyed a trip to Israel and saw both sites in person. But I don’t celebrate the empty tomb; I celebrate the Resurrection.

There’s a special blessing in that.

What Is Faith?

You’ve probably heard of Doubting Thomas. He was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples at The Last Supper, but he was missing when Jesus appeared to the group the night of His Resurrection (John 20:19).

Later the disciples reported, “We have seen Him!” But Thomas staunchly declared, “Unless I see His wounds and touch them myself, I will not believe.”

Eight days later Jesus appeared to the disciples again. This time Thomas was there and Jesus addressed him personally. “Thomas, reach out and touch my wounded hands and side. Believe!” Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:24-28).

As Jesus acknowledged Thomas’ faith, He also spoke a blessing upon believers of a different kind: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). That’s me. Is it you?

John said he wrote so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31, KJV). Through faith I have hope of eternal life.

Celebration Unlimited

Easter eggs are fun, but the real JOY of EASTER is The Resurrection. It's something we can celebrate all year.