On my way home this morning, after running an errand for my wife, I saw
something that made me cringe inside. An
elderly lady was walking down the street shoulder on the side where a drainage
gully or culvert runs the full length of the street in front of several
houses. There is a pedestrian sidewalk
on the other side of the street, but for whatever reason, this person chose not
to use it.
Innocently, we sometimes do things without considering the potential
consequences of our actions. This was
probably one of those times. It looked
to me as if she was out for an early morning stroll or a time of exercise. She was walking leisurely; enjoying the day. The lady was wearing a pink, knitted sweater
that was buttoned up in the front, because it was brisk and a bit damp outside.
She was walking with traffic rather than against it as she should have
been doing. She was on the opposite side of the road facing me. Though a busy, neighborhood
street at times, there was very little traffic at this hour.
I wondered why she was not getting her exercise on the sidewalk where it
was much safer to walk. It bothered
me. I guess I should have stopped and
suggested that she do so and perhaps assist her in crossing the street, but I
didn’t. Everything was happening quickly.
After passing her, I glanced in my rear-view mirror, because I was still
troubled about the situation, when suddenly, out of nowhere, one of the
neighbors on the sidewalk side backed out of their driveway quite fast; heading
in the opposite direction that I was going.
I’m sure the person driving did not see the lady. She was probably in their blind spot. The car came within inches; I mean
inches of hitting her. I watched
helplessly as the woman threw up her hands; a natural reflex and defensive
move. By doing so, she was able to push
herself away from the moving vehicle. As
she shoved off the trunk lid, it propelled her down into the ditch.
I slowed immediately and saw her stumble and turn a complete circle
without falling down. It was a miracle
that the car missed her and that she was able to keep her balance. My mind was taking in every factor; every
detail; even the color of the car and how fast it was moving. It was like everything switched to slow
motion, but everything was happening very quickly.
It was a close call and I am sure the lady was thankful that all
she suffered was a terrible fright rather than something worse. I saw that she was alright after she made her
way up and out of the drainage ditch.
She continued on her way; shaking her head.
I was still trying to grasp what had just happened when I heard myself
cry out to God in her behalf, even though it was after the fact. I believe in the power of prayer and that
prayer changes things. I asked God to
dispatch an angel to protect and save this lady from harm. It was as if I was there at that very moment
for a purpose—timing is everything. She
did not have time to pray, but I did after everything was over.
You may be thinking that this is a bit strange with regards to praying
about something after it has already happened, but I believe that God saw the
incident before it happened and He knew that I would be there to pray the
prayer that I prayed, even though it was a belated prayer. God heard me!
I believe it!
Why can’t God answer prayers in the future for something that has
happened in the past? Is God not
God? Can He not see the future? Can He not hear and answer prayers whenever
and wherever they are prayed? I say,
“Yes!” to all of the above.
Timing is everything…I believe that God sees the beginning to the end
and from the end to the beginning. God
is omniscient (all-knowing); omnipotent (all-powerful): and omnipresent
(all-pervading)—everywhere at the same time.
It is not for me to understand or try to figure out the workings of
Almighty God. I trust Him and believe
that He has a plan for my life; a purpose.
I believe the Lord can do all things according to His intention and
objective. God has the final say.
I care not what anyone may say about my experience or philosophy
concerning subjects such as this. As
long as I believe that God hears my prayers, this is all that matters. I will continue praying before and after a
situation occurs and leave the results to God’s sovereignty.
If I did not believe that God hears my prayers I would never pray
again. BUT I DO BELIEVE! And yes, I pray and will keep praying. It is hard to put into words the insight that
is burning in my spirit, and as long as God is not offended at me, then I will
trust that I am on the right track.
God is not on the same timetable as you or me. He created time for humanity, yet it is He
who understands and controls it; past, present, and future; all at the same
time. He is the Alpha and Omega (the
beginning and the end).
Timing is everything, especially when God is keeping all things in
order. He is “I AM”. He is God the Magnificent. Who among us can understand His ways? He is God Almighty! His ways are perfect.
(Isaiah 55:9), “For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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