I wondered. I whispered, Please,
Lord, help me to be astonished this week. I tucked that prayer away and got
caught up in the whirlwind of workshops, free writing, critique and teaching my
workshops.
The last day, my drive to campus was clouded with tears,
brought on by three simple words from the innkeeper. He chatted with me that morning
after breakfast as I settled my bill...
“You had a good week?” He asked.
“I had a great week.”
“You did good!” He continued.
“You remind me of my dad.” I replied with a lump in my throat.
“You do know what’s going on here don’t you?” He prompted.
I must have looked puzzled and so he continued,“You need to
hear that today. YOU DID GOOD.”
Suddenly, my dad's words became clear—out of the misty past.
Tears welled up and my throat tightened. It’s as if my dad was giving me the
encouragement I needed—and I felt a blessing from my Heavenly Father too.
I shared my story
with the group as my tears flowed. Unexpected emotion rolled over me and I
grappled with control. Words have a powerful affect—to build up or tear down,
encourage or discourage, to give hope or cause to lose heart. Words can wound
or heal. And, that morning, the Lord gave words I needed to hear—straight from
the mouth of an innkeeper, yet echoed from my daddy’s heart. And, I stood
astonished in the presence of God who knows my every breath and heart-need.
How has God astonished you lately?
Jeanne
*In cross referencing the verse in Psalm 143:5 I also found:
Psalm 105:2, Psalm 77:12 and Psalm 119:27
