Cartoon Comes True

My recovery is going to be a long process. God will see me through and I know that for certain. In fact, I got a glimpse on Wednesday night. Living down South is a little different from Massachusetts where I was raised. Down here, Sunday service isn't enough. There's Bible study on Wednesday night, prayer meeting on Friday, men's and women's groups meeting on one of the other days of the week not accounted for. Anyway, that's a little background to my Wednesday night Bible study story. Also, background is my new feeling about church. To praise God and be surrounded with His church is like a much needed once-a-week tranfusion.

Anyhoo- Wednesday I had an appointment to talk with the pastor and his wife after the Bible lesson. Before things got underway, the assistant pastor, Randy approached me and said that pastor's son was ill and he would be going right home after service since his wife had stayed with the boy. However, Randy and his wife were prepared to keep pastor's appointment with me to best serve my needs. The evening opened with a trio of fellas from the church singing, playing guitar, and drums. Pastor taught on the beautiful and famous Psalm 23. But throughout the evening, I figdgetted and kept having to drag my thoughts back to the here and now. Mostly, I could feel anger welling up inside and strange questions, feelings of doubt. What was the real reason pastor wasn't going to have time for me? Was he passing my problems off as unimportant? This assistant pastor didn't have the background I'd laid for the pastor about my recent experiences and feelings. Why was I wasting my time with people who really didn't want to help me? I wasn't truly welcomed in this group, anyway. I needed to go somewhere else. In fact, I should leave now and not sit through this so-called lesson. These negative feelings increased until I could hardly sit still in my seat.

It was then that it hit me - like the cartoon of an angel sitting on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Praise God! Apparently I had made enough progress in my spiritual walk that I suddenly could see that I was being tempted. Here was yet another cartoon - the light bulb of recognition going off over my head. I recognized, even as the strange thoughts raged that there was a core of peace, calmness as I continued to sit still despite the whirlwind of thoughts inside. The outcome - I spoke to Randy and his wife. They were warm and genuine people and spoke exactly what I needed to hear. Later, I drove home with a smile and the knowledge of the many blessings I'd received on a regular old Wednesday. A good sermon on Psalm 23 - pretty cool. Making new friends of Randy and his wife - not to be missed. A first small spiritual victory under my belt - never to be forgotten. Trusting that 'still, small voice' 1 Kings 19:12 - Priceless!

His blessings to all-

Ki