Unexpected Blessing #3

Unexpected blessing number three took a while to reveal itself.  In one of my favorite movies, the guy and gal pass each other many times, yet never notice one another.

I’ve always thought that’s just a movie, but maybe not. I’m thinking of six ordinary friendly connections with my husband before true love became obvious.

 

Sadie Hawkins Day: This college event was a girl-ask-boy, so two friends and I decided to ask dates to Knott’s Berry Farm. They dared me to ask a guy I’ll call “Ricardo.” While deciding how to fit six people into my four-door Corvair, Ricardo said, “I’ll drive.” Feeling no need to impress, I said, “No, I’ll drive. It’s my car.”

 

A Wedding: Ricardo had known my roommate for years, so he asked if she knew of a pianist who could help with a small wedding. She asked and I agreed, so we drove to a small church nearby. I played for the wedding, then we left. There was no special connection with Ricardo.

 

A Box Social: This was a youth group fundraiser. The guy I was interested in asked how he could bid on my box, so I gave him a hint. My “second mom” in college told Ricardo my secret and dared him to come and outbid my person of interest. I was extremely unhappy when he won and we had to eat together.

 

Choir Connection: Later, Ricardo was called to our small church as choir director where I played the organ. Some of our songs were Black Gospel. When he asked to work with me on some of the rhythms, I was still clueless. To me, it was just a music session.

 

Used Cars: When Ricardo learned of my dream to own a Mustang, we started to connect on long drives to look at used car lots. They weren’t fancy dates, just fun rides and cheap eats at McDonald’s or Jack-in-the-Box.

 

Senior Year Banquet: At this event, it became obvious we had eyes for each other, though we were there with different dates. After graduation, we stayed in the area and became more serious about our relationship.

We got engaged in August and married in early November. God certainly answered my prayers for a Christian husband. The best Unexpected Blessing of my life was a guy I lovingly called “Ricardo.”

Unexpected Blessing #2

I was completely surprised by a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007. No one in my family had ever had cancer as a health issue. 

Before this, my husband and I had purchased a co-op in Phoenix. We were engaged in a full-time ministry and it seemed a nice option for brief getaways, plus a possibility for future retirement.

We were clueless as to any other reason for our purchase.

Unexpected challenges arrived after a lump was found during my routine breast exam. The doctor referred me for a biopsy so I followed through, made the appointment, and shared my insurance information.

On the day of the appointment, I checked in and filled out about five pages of new-patient paperwork. When I walked up to hand it in, the medical assistant took one look and said, “We don’t take your insurance.”

I was shocked! “But you did when I made the appointment.”

 “Well, we don’t, now.” She had no further explanation.

I called my insurance agent, who was also surprised, but said she would check it out. She called later to say the company had gone out of business and notified no one, but she would try to locate another provider.

Unfortunately, no local provider was available. That meant all of my care would now be in Phoenix, a two-hour drive one way.

I signed on with the new company and made the necessary appointments ASAP. I was diagnosed with Stage Three Breast Cancer which led to a full nine months of treatments --- chemo, surgery, and radiation.

I’m still amazed at how God was ahead of us on needed housing. The co-op was a small 2 BD/1BA and I turned the second bedroom into a comfortable office.

I never dreamed cancer treatments meant I’d be alone in a big city for almost ten months. The nice thing is that I felt safe in our co-op community.

Coincidence? I think NOT!

Matthew 6:8 (NKJV) says, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” That co-op was an unexpected blessing for which I will always be grateful.

(Unexpected Blessings: A Series of 4)

 

Unexpected Blessing #1

                                          UNEXPECTED BLESSING #1

I was born with a neck problem. When first diagnosed it was labeled “wry neck.” Years later it was called “torque neck.”

The presenting problem was a neck muscle on my right side. As I grew, it remained short. This meant my head always tilted to the right and I couldn’t help it. In my teenage years, I started to become very self-conscious.

I’ve always wondered how our family doctors could check for scoliosis, and never notice my crooked neck. But I had an unexpected blessing in my third year of college.

I had an extremely sore throat and decided to go to the university’s free clinic.

The man behind the desk stood up as I walked in. “I can help you with that,” he said.

 "Thanks. I’m here with a very sore throat.”

 “OK, but I’m looking at your neck. I’ve never operated on anyone as old as you, but I still think it would work.” He was an orthopedic surgeon, one of the many doctors who volunteered at the clinic.

I left with a prescription for strep throat and information regarding his office if I desired an evaluation of my neck.

My problem was not solved with one surgery, but two.

First, the short muscle was detached from my collarbone on the right side. I still have a small scar there. Next, the doctor striated the muscle behind my right ear. I’ve always associated that procedure with the word “shredded." Whatever . . . it worked.

During the next school year, I faithfully applied wet hot packs to the right side of my neck. Then I gradually and persistently pulled to the left. The good news is, my neck straightened up.

God opened a door for me that I had no idea existed. Author Squire Rushnell would call it a “God Wink.” To me, however, it was an unexpected blessing and I still find it easy to say, “Thank you, God.”

 Note: This will be a four-week series.