{When Life's Interruptions Becomes God's Divine Appointment)

I was sitting in a comfy seat with a cute little pink robe on drinking my hot Lemon Raspberry Tea while looking at a magazine and I felt it. THE NUDGE!
  
Has someone ever NUDGED you? Especially when you are minding your own business, not bothering anyone else and truthfully...do not want to be bothered but all of a sudden you felt the nudge. 

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I was waiting my turn to be called in to do the Annual Mammogram. What every woman loves to do right? And for me it's an every 6 month thing so needless to say I know the ropes! Been doing it for so long now that one of the receptionist that has been there for at least the past 13 years that I have been going asked me how my FOUR grandchildren was doing and if I had any more on the way! (her memory is good is all I know)  I know my choices of colors for my little robe gown is white or pink. (I always choose pink) I know that I have a choice of decaf or regular coffee or I can pick from an assortment of flavored teas. Since I am an early morning appointment and had my share of coffee I go for the wonderful flavored teas. I also know that there are lots of magazines to choose from while waiting and I usually snatch up the decorating ones or the DIY. I also know that sometimes the process can be lengthy so I get comfortable and try not to focus on the (squeeze) of the event! (I couldn't resist that one...sorry ladies!) 

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On this particular day I truthfully just wanted to hand over my Identification card, Health insurance card and Physician's orders to the nice lady at the desk...to speak when spoken too...to get the testing done and then GO SHOPPING! I mean...is that too much to ask for? GOODWILL was calling my name along with Joann's, Michael's, and well, you get the picture.And I winded up in Lifeway for 1 hour and 45 minutes......YEEKS...I love that place!

I don't care what type of personality you have...whether you are a talker non-stop, a people person or Miss America...we all have days that we just don't want to be bothered and we truly don't want to be interrupted. Well, the Lord had something different in mind for me.  

As I was flipping through the magazine and sipping on my hot tea I noticed a younger woman, maybe 20 years younger than me sitting across the room. Now the room was packed with women like a bunch of sardines in a can but she stood out. She had this look on her face of "fear" and she was trying very hard to not make eye contact with anyone near her. I noticed her biting her nails and every now and then she would rub her arm. Somehow I didn't think it was because her arm was hurting though. I felt it was simply to console herself.  I know that look so I silently prayed for her to feel a peace (my first nudge) and I went back to looking at the latest furniture distressing technique.   

  

Then I heard her on her cell phone and I could tell her voice was shaken as I heard her say, "I will call you as soon as I leave here, I promise".  That is when it happened it again....that NUDGE!

I've walked with the Lord long enough to know when the NUDGE is for me to go into action. But that doesn't mean that I always obey I am ashamed to say. 

So I continued to sit there sipping on my hot tea and talking under my breath to the Lord. I wanted Him to be aware that there were a lot of women in that room in which I am sure some of them knew Him personally just as I did and would be more than glad to walk over and minister to this young woman! Have you ever felt that way too? You just wanted someone else to do the job and you'd like a little peace and quiet for a change? (Just being real here ladies)

I wonder how often the Lord just sits there and shakes His head at us poor ignorant children of His because we are trying to TALK HIM out of USING US for our good and His glory!!!

 

The nurse came out and called the lady's name that was sitting beside the young women. The young woman began to fumble with the tie on her little pink robe gown and my heart felt that NUDGE again.

 

 The word Nudge means; to push slightly or gently, especially with the elbow, to get someones attention, or prod someone into action. Well let's just say I didn't feel a nudge of an elbow but I had a feeling that If I did not move into action that the Lord was fixing to ELBOW me for sure. 

I took one more look at that young woman sitting across from me and realized that this young woman could so easily be about the age of my oldest daughter and the fear of one of my daughters sitting in a hospital gown anxiously and fearfully waiting her turn was more than this mama could take! No more NUDGING was needed. I walked over to get a 2nd cup of tea and simply said to her...."would you like a cup of hot tea sweetie?

Have you been there too? Knowing that the Holy Spirit was nudging you into action but you was secretly hoping that "feeling" would go away? Maybe the nudging came as "Get out of your comfort zone at church and go to the alter and pray with that lady that is on her knees". Maybe that nudging has been "walk over and introduce yourself to the guests at church that is only sitting a few rows over from you. The nudging might be "to begin a ministry" but you are afraid to step out in faith with it. Maybe the nudging of the Holy Spirit has been simply to offer someone a cup of hot tea and then let Him be your guide.  Nudging comes in different ways and most often at times when we least expect it. That nudging is called 

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God's timing was perfect that day and I am so glad that I did obey though I admit I was hesitant. See...it was never about me to begin with. But it was ALL ABOUT HIM!

The young woman shared that she was there for more diagnostic testing. It started out with her finding a lump and then the mammogram revealed two lumps on the same side in which one was very suspicious.Her mom and her grandmother  had already experienced the ugliness of breast cancer.Her older sister had already experienced a scare as well. She was afraid, alone and unsure of the outcome. In a short amount of time I found out that she was one year older than my oldest daughter. She had 3 small children and she had been a Christian for about 5 years.  Something that I have shared in our ladies Bible Study classes came to my mind suddenly. I told her to flip her hand up so she could see the palm of her hand and she did. I then just simply asked her to imagine that her palm was the palm of Jesus and in the middle of His palm her name was engraved and nothing could EVER snatch her from HIM!

About that time my name was called and I left her with what I pray was a reassurance that she was not alone. That Christ was there with her.  I looked for her when I came out but I did not see her. I even waited around for a few minutes in the lobby to see if I could spot her but did not. However, I did leave knowing that God interrupted two lives that day and it was for our good and His glory.  

The young woman's name was Leslie. Would you take a minute to pray for her? 

I am so glad that He didn't have to ELBOW me! 

May we be more mindful that the interruptions in our life can very well be God's Divine Appointment.

Hugs and blessings, Cindy