Space to write, space to create and space to let the spirit speak.
Write Now!
This blog started as a 'Lenten Writing Project', where we wrote each day in Lent. Now that Summer is here, let's keep up the discipline of writing with a weekly writing challenge! A prompt will be posted each week and anyone is welcome to join in and post their writing here or participate just by reading it.
Every writer has their own special light to add to this blog and all of your writing offerings are appreciated, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists or comments and encouragement.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Lenten Writing Prompt #37
Has God ever spoken to you or moved you through an unexpected person or source? Write about this experience.
One Tuesday in March I was in my classroom working with students, when a man walked in. He introduced himself, "I'm Jay A___. Your principal said I might visit you to observe your class. May I stay for awhile?"
I replied, "Yes. We are just taking our lunch break now, and celebrating March birthdays. Won’t you join us?"
"Terrific!" he said. "I have a March birthday, too!"
Jay stayed until the class was dismissed. Then he asked to talk to me about my work. He said, "I am the principal from the American school in Congo, Africa. Would you be interested in coming to teach?"
As he spoke, I felt a sense of astonishment and wonder. As a child, I had dreamed of someday going to Africa. In recent years I had again toyed with the idea of 'someday' going. But I had not done anything to pursue that dream.
"Oh, that sounds interesting! I will pray about it and see," I thought to myself.
As Jay left, he said, "Please let me know your decision by Friday, as I will need to call headquarters and let them know by then.
As I sat at my desk and prayed, I had a strong feeling that this was in God's hands, and that I should say "yes" to the next step. I picked up the phone and dialed the number of my supervisor, Joyce D____. I knew that many changes were coming in the district; changes for which I would need to be present. "How could I leave at such a time?" I thought to myself. Just then Joyce answered the phone.
"Joyce, I have just been offered a job in Africa for a year. Do you think I could get a one-year leave to go?" In my mind, I certainly expected that the answer would be "no."
"What a wonderful opportunity!" Joyce responded. "I have just come from a meeting, and the changes planned for your class are going to be delayed for a year! Yes, this might be possible. But you will need to talk with Mrs. B____."
"OK. I'll try to see her today." I hung up the phone, feeling a bit light-headed as I walked over to Mrs. B___'s office.
"May I talk to you for a minute? Jay has asked me to come to Africa for a year. What would you think of me taking a leave of absence to do this?"
"What? Is Jay recruiting my best teacher?" she laughed. "Well, seriously, this sounds like the chance of a lifetime. You should talk with Mr. Fred I___ as soon as possible." (to be continued)
As I left her office, I thought of my full schedule for the week. This was Tuesday afternoon. Besides teaching all day, I had meetings and workshops scheduled for every day and evening of the week through Saturday. "How can I possibly find time to see Mr. I___?" I thought. "Oh, well, I guess there is nothing more I can do." Mentally turning the whole thing over to God, I left it in His hands as I prepared the next day's lessons.
Each Wednesday, the day began with a staff meeting at 8:00 a.m. I walked into the meeting room, looking for an empty seat. Suddenly, I realized that Mr. I____ was in the room next to the only empty seat! "He never comes to these meetings! What a coincidence!' I thought to myself.
He turned to me, "Hi, RuthAnn! How are things going for you?"
"Very well, thank you. I have been hoping to talk to you about something," I replied.
"Let's step outside, then. I have a few minutes," he said.
I briefly explained Jay's offer to him.
Mr. I____ said, "What a wonderful opportunity! Of course we will miss you, but I am sure you may have the leave of absence. You must get the formal request in by next week, which is the deadline for leave requests."
As I thanked him, I thought to myself, "I am amazed at how this is happening. Impossible things are falling into place as if arranged by God!"
Over the next several months, many impossible deadlines were met, many impossible arrangements fell easily into place. With each "impossible step", I had the calm and inexplicable sense of God's leading. I simply had an enormous sense of saying "Yes, Lord!" to one step at a time.
On August 8 I arrived to begin my year in Africa, a life-changing and blessed year, with God at every step.
What an amazing story! I can't wait to read the first draft of your autobiography - you have this summer to complete it and get it to me in the Fall! (...And I will be first in line to buy it!) I love your stories and reading/hearing about your amazing life experiences!
Sometimes when talking with someone who is discussing a serious, personal problem, I have found myself saying some words of encouragement or offering a different, more positive perspective.
As I started thinking about this prompt yesterday morning, names and experiences swarmed in my mind. Covering 70 years in this space and amount of time would be difficult. There are so many people through whom God has spoken through and acted with in my life. Just thinking about them as they hovered in my memories kept me warm all day. Examples this week: Wednesday morning Lectionary Study : Women round the table expressing concern and bring requests for prayers for those they know need them. Beverly – a very special woman who despite her own health issues is always concerned about others, remembering those we have prayed for and asking about them by name. The Pastors, (this week Pastor Katy) facilitating discussions of the texts, offering insights and details. Thursday morning Teacher and women in line dance class Granddaughter Neighbor Everyday Members of my household Communication with friends and family online.
What does God say through the whole hive? I am here. You’re forgiven You’re worthy Be not afraid Be still Listen Cast out your net Of course you can Take care of yourself too Get up and walk Follow me Rejoice Watch out Speak up Hang on Laugh Play Write Dance Bask in this beauty Pray unceasingly Let it go Forgive Reach out Get along Accept Be thankful Advocate for the forgotten and mistreated Seek understanding Take some chances It will be all right Don't give up Isn't this fun now? I love you And the buzz goes on!
disheveled visitor talking between the bold responses indicated in our bulletin. everyone is nicely nice about it pretending not to notice but I strain with one eye to see who it is he is holding one paper cup full to the brim of coffee and one ceramic cup full to the brim of coffee in the sanctuary. after the service he talks to almost everyone. wants to know about choir wants to know about summer activities fifteen snickerdoodles piled on his plate precariously gesturing with his coffees amid a bustling fellowship hall
At the Wednesday night service we somberly seriously light candles for our loved ones on the way back to my contemplative seat, he thrusts out his hand and in a loudish *speaking* voice says “Hi, I’m Dave!” he could be God. because he was doing things in a Godly way backwards upside down unpredictable I took both his hands in mine and said in a loudish *speaking* voice, “Hi, I’m Ruth” and returned to my seat. there is God in all of us I honor the God that resides in him
One Tuesday in March I was in my classroom working with students, when a man walked in. He introduced himself, "I'm Jay A___. Your principal said I might visit you to observe your class. May I stay for awhile?"
ReplyDeleteI replied, "Yes. We are just taking our lunch break now, and celebrating March birthdays. Won’t you join us?"
"Terrific!" he said. "I have a March birthday, too!"
Jay stayed until the class was dismissed. Then he asked to talk to me about my work. He said, "I am the principal from the American school in Congo, Africa. Would you be interested in coming to teach?"
As he spoke, I felt a sense of astonishment and wonder. As a child, I had dreamed of someday going to Africa. In recent years I had again toyed with the idea of 'someday' going. But I had not done anything to pursue that dream.
"Oh, that sounds interesting! I will pray about it and see," I thought to myself.
As Jay left, he said, "Please let me know your decision by Friday, as I will need to call headquarters and let them know by then.
As I sat at my desk and prayed, I had a strong feeling that this was in God's hands, and that I should say "yes" to the next step. I picked up the phone and dialed the number of my supervisor, Joyce D____. I knew that many changes were coming in the district; changes for which I would need to be present. "How could I leave at such a time?" I thought to myself. Just then Joyce answered the phone.
"Joyce, I have just been offered a job in Africa for a year. Do you think I could get a one-year leave to go?" In my mind, I certainly expected that the answer would be "no."
"What a wonderful opportunity!" Joyce responded. "I have just come from a meeting, and the changes planned for your class are going to be delayed for a year! Yes, this might be possible. But you will need to talk with Mrs. B____."
"OK. I'll try to see her today." I hung up the phone, feeling a bit light-headed as I walked over to Mrs. B___'s office.
"May I talk to you for a minute? Jay has asked me to come to Africa for a year. What would you think of me taking a leave of absence to do this?"
"What? Is Jay recruiting my best teacher?" she laughed. "Well, seriously, this sounds like the chance of a lifetime. You should talk with Mr. Fred I___ as soon as possible." (to be continued)
(continued)
ReplyDeleteAs I left her office, I thought of my full schedule for the week. This was Tuesday afternoon. Besides teaching all day, I had meetings and workshops scheduled for every day and evening of the week through Saturday. "How can I possibly find time to see Mr. I___?" I thought. "Oh, well, I guess there is nothing more I can do." Mentally turning the whole thing over to God, I left it in His hands as I prepared the next day's lessons.
Each Wednesday, the day began with a staff meeting at 8:00 a.m. I walked into the meeting room, looking for an empty seat. Suddenly, I realized that Mr. I____ was in the room next to the only empty seat! "He never comes to these meetings! What a coincidence!' I thought to myself.
He turned to me, "Hi, RuthAnn! How are things going for you?"
"Very well, thank you. I have been hoping to talk to you about something," I replied.
"Let's step outside, then. I have a few minutes," he said.
I briefly explained Jay's offer to him.
Mr. I____ said, "What a wonderful opportunity! Of course we will miss you, but I am sure you may have the leave of absence. You must get the formal request in by next week, which is the deadline for leave requests."
As I thanked him, I thought to myself, "I am amazed at how this is happening. Impossible things are falling into place as if arranged by God!"
Over the next several months, many impossible deadlines were met, many impossible arrangements fell easily into place. With each "impossible step", I had the calm and inexplicable sense of God's leading. I simply had an enormous sense of saying "Yes, Lord!" to one step at a time.
On August 8 I arrived to begin my year in Africa, a life-changing and blessed year, with God at every step.
What an amazing story! I can't wait to read the first draft of your autobiography - you have this summer to complete it and get it to me in the Fall! (...And I will be first in line to buy it!) I love your stories and reading/hearing about your amazing life experiences!
DeleteThanks, Ruth...
Deleteby Pat Mason
ReplyDeleteSometimes when talking with someone who is discussing a serious, personal problem, I have found myself saying some words of encouragement or offering a different, more positive perspective.
I have no idea where those words come from.
I like to think they come from God.
That has happened to me as well. I know what you mean!
DeletePat, it's wonderful how God gives us the words sometimes. Your words are a good reminder to be listening for that.
DeleteGod With Us
ReplyDeleteBy Marlene Obie
As I started thinking about this prompt yesterday morning, names and experiences swarmed in my mind. Covering 70 years in this space and amount of time would be difficult. There are so many people through whom God has spoken through and acted with in my life. Just thinking about them as they hovered in my memories kept me warm all day.
Examples this week:
Wednesday morning Lectionary Study :
Women round the table expressing concern and bring requests for prayers for those they know need them.
Beverly – a very special woman who despite her own health issues is always concerned about others, remembering those we have prayed for and asking about them by name.
The Pastors, (this week Pastor Katy) facilitating discussions of the texts, offering insights and details.
Thursday morning
Teacher and women in line dance class
Granddaughter
Neighbor
Everyday
Members of my household
Communication with friends and family online.
What does God say through the whole hive?
I am here.
You’re forgiven
You’re worthy
Be not afraid
Be still
Listen
Cast out your net
Of course you can
Take care of yourself too
Get up and walk
Follow me
Rejoice
Watch out
Speak up
Hang on
Laugh
Play
Write
Dance
Bask in this beauty
Pray unceasingly
Let it go
Forgive
Reach out
Get along
Accept
Be thankful
Advocate for the forgotten and mistreated
Seek understanding
Take some chances
It will be all right
Don't give up
Isn't this fun now?
I love you
And the buzz goes on!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMan In The 4th Pew
ReplyDeletedisheveled visitor
talking between the bold responses
indicated in our bulletin.
everyone is nicely nice about it
pretending not to notice
but I strain with one eye to see who it is
he is holding one paper cup
full to the brim of coffee
and one ceramic cup
full to the brim of coffee
in the sanctuary.
after the service he talks to almost everyone.
wants to know about choir
wants to know about summer activities
fifteen snickerdoodles piled on his plate
precariously gesturing with his coffees
amid a bustling fellowship hall
At the Wednesday night service we
somberly
seriously
light candles for our loved ones
on the way back to my contemplative seat,
he thrusts out his hand and in a loudish *speaking* voice
says
“Hi, I’m Dave!”
he could be God.
because he was doing things in a Godly way
backwards
upside down
unpredictable
I took both his hands in mine
and said in a loudish *speaking* voice, “Hi, I’m Ruth”
and returned to my seat.
there is God in all of us
I honor the God that resides in him