As I celebrated my birthday on Friday, there were some things I wanted to do. I started a tradition a few years ago by starting the morning with a massage.
As I’m always trying to be fiscally responsible, when a deal came out in the summer, I purchased it for myself, even writing up the gift card with sweet words that I wanted to be reminded of.
About a week and half before the date, I called the place and was told there was no availability for the date and time I wanted. This was surprising as I thought I was calling even earlier than I normally do. I asked to be waitlisted, and started looking around for alternatives.
When I didn’t find one, I decided to reach out to the same company, but a location even closer to home. I thought my gift card was specific to one location. I knew it was something that was important to me, so I was even willing to pay out of pocket.
As I called to make the appointment, I explained the situation. The person on the line explained that my gift card was still eligible for use. Yay!
A received a phone call a few days later explaining that the person I was originally scheduled with was not going to be at work and they needed to move me to an hour later. This time ended up working better to accommodate my morning routine.
When I arrived, and walked into the room, the massage therapist was having a difficult morning. I started thinking ‘oh no, I hope this does not translate into my massage and wanting to talk’, but decided to ask her what was the matter. She explained.
As I laid there quietly waiting for her to begin, I started contemplating the situation, and how I had ended up there, at that time, and I realized it was not just a coincidence and remembered Romans 8:28.
I decided to brave it and offer to pray for her. She said she could do with all the prayers she could get. We agreed that I would pray quietly as she wanted me to fully relax.
I told her when I was done praying and about half way through the session, I remembered that I had a resource that I could share with her.
I asked her to remind me at the end.
Her question still surprises me: she asked me if I had gotten an answer.
At first, I was a bit puzzled, but then realized that when I told her I’d pray, she expected God to respond.
May I be reminded of that level of faith.
And, she was kind and generous in the session, with very little talking.
I hope I remember that no matter what our professions are, we have life that is happening to us. But slowing down a little bit to acknowledge the other person can go a far way.
She and I both agreed that me being there was not a coincidence – and we both got what we needed.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for how you bring people together. Thank you that you see our needs before hand and make a way for us, even if it’s a resource to keep us going, or an ear to listen.