Joy For the Journey

“Joy for the Journey”

Gladys hung up the phone with a sigh and for a moment stood frozen. Then the shock finally forced its way into her conscience and she moaned; “this can’t be happening.” The silence that followed returned her thoughts to the phone call that left her in such fear. Her son was in Jail. The sheriff explained that he was to be detained until all the facts were in, but right now the charges were kidnapping and flight to avoid prosecution.
Her husbands name and his career as pastor at the church, their grandchildren, and their home all were in jeopardy by this travesty. She must call the church and speak to her husband. Quickly, she reached for the telephone, but as her hand closed around the receiver, it began to ring. She jerked her hand away as if it were shocking her, only to feel relief at an opportunity to include someone else in her private nightmare.

“Hello,” she whispered. All she could hear were whimpering sobs on the other end.
“Hello,” she repeated, only louder this time.
“Sister Owens?” The soft voice panted.
“This is she,” Gladys returned.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is Debbie. I’m so sorry; I have some bad news for you.
Anger rose up in Gladys because Debbie was the source of so much heartache in her life. She was her daughter-in-law. She had single handedly stolen their dreams for their sons ministry, ripped their family apart with lies told against them, and dragged their son away from God by vicious behavior directed at the church.
“Can I help you?” She condescended icily.
“Please help me,” she responded hesitantly. “They’ve taken my children away…they’re driving away and there is nothing I can do…please help me.”
All the emotions penned up inside her began to rip her apart. Her love for her grandchildren, bitterness over her son’s condition, obligation to her ministry, her behavior, her husband, “Oh God help us.”
“I’ll be over there in a minute, just hold on till I get there.”
Gladys turned to the sofa and knelt down to pray realizing just how helpless she was against this dilemma. “Father in heaven, help me.”
A door shutting outside in her driveway snapped her back to reality. She gathered herself together and reached for the blinds to see who the visitor was. In the drive was the local florist delivery truck. As she tried to locate the driver, the doorbell rang. Gladys attempted to compose herself and glided over to the door, finally reaching for and pulling the knob.
“Praise the Lord,” the habitual greeting just sort of slipped out.
The embarrassed, squeamish delivery boy reached forward and spoke. “Just sign here.”
As she took the delivery ticket, the driver bent over and handed her the most beautiful bouquet of roses she had ever seen. He quickly turned to leave as she continued to stare at the beautiful arrangement. Standing in the door as the truck left, she turned the card over and read the inscription. “To the most wonderful Pastors wife in the whole world;” it was signed; “the flock of Calvary Pentecostal Assembly.”
She had forgotten that it was her fifth year anniversary. But suddenly, with this reminder, all of her tormented emotions began to realign themselves into proper, eternal perspectives. God was not through working in her family’s life. This temporary collapse might just be the way god will rebuild the future. With that thought she gathered her purse and car keys and headed for the garage. There was a journey she must take to do the Lord’s work and she better get busy.

When news came to King David that the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, he prepared to leave Jerusalem. Many others gathered to flee with him because of Absalom’s vow to take the kingdom from his father. David had won their hearts by his willingness to serve. His anointing had come long before his crowning. He had always behaved himself honorable before God’s anointed leaders. So King David’s leaving was a shame many in the city could not bear. Thousands chose to leave with him. The loyal, the noble and the courageous faced the challenge to begin again, away from their home.
David climbed the hill of Olivet that was across the brook Kidron. He climbed to the top, still in view of his beloved city and found awaiting him saddled asses and provision for the journey. Gifts were brought from the servant of one whose life was touched by the mercy of David.
God is ever mindful of our journey. His expressions of love and compassion is evident in every time we become swallowed up in the vortex we call life. As long as we serve Him, His identity presses forth for expression in our needs by providing us with emotional as well as physical strength.
Anytime we face the unknown abyss called tragedy, or our life winds dangerously around our throat, squeezing the breath and hope from us. Somewhere from above will come a wagonload of blessing, loosening the grip and uplifting our vision. Hope remains as well as faith to continue because God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.