GOD GAVE ME A COIN

TODAY: Pray this prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank you, Father, that we can put our trust in the Lord. Nothing is too hard for you, Almighty God. You hear our prayers before we can form our thoughts. O Lord, help us to lay down all our burdens at your feet, so you can build us up in your strength. Fill us, Lord, with your life so we in turn can be strong in you and help to carry each other’s burdens. O Lord, give us a hunger for your word and help us to be still and listen to your voice in prayer. Help us to be patient and wait on the Lord. Thank you, Father, that your timing is perfect. Thank you that you are there when we have lost hope and direction. Thank you that you rescue us and lead us back onto the right path. Thank you that you have a plan for each and every one of us when we place our trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Just over a year ago, my husband was offered a job in Washington, D.C. To accept would mean selling our house in London, which we had just finished restoring, and leaving our friends and family behind, including two little grandsons. I was in turmoil. This was a huge decision, and, although he is not a believer, my husband supported my decision to go on a prayer retreat to the Northumbrian Community at Nether Springs, close to Holy Island in the very north of England.

My friend Pauline, who is deaf, agreed to come with me and booked the train tickets by telephone. But when we met at the station, we found she had made a mistake in the reservation. At the last minute, the clerk agreed to change our tickets to the train we wanted, but we had to take the only seats available at the back of the carriage.

Rushed and flustered, we settled ourselves on the train for the four-hour journey. As we talked, I had to speak quite loudly so Pauline could hear me above the noise of the train. She asked about our plans and whether we were closer to making a decision about America. I told her I had been praying about it and hoped to seek God’s guidance during our retreat. Just then, a couple seated in front of us turned round and said: “Hi! Did I hear you say you are moving to the States?”

It turned out they also were Christians, from Virginia. We had a wonderful journey talking about our plans, our faith journeys and life in America. We seemed to reach our destination in no time, but I felt I had known Charlie and Carol for years. We said our goodbyes and exchanged addresses. How good it is to know we are all part of his worldwide family.

As we were leaving, Carol called me back and said, “Please take this.” She handed me a coin. “I like to give them to people we meet on our trail.” Charlie was keeping a journal of all the trail blessings they had received. I looked at the quarter and read: In God We Trust.

I thanked this lovely couple and silently praised God for his blessings and attention to detail. What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have, who knows our every move. If our train and seating had not been changed, we would have missed meeting our dear friends, who later introduced my husband and me to friends of theirs who live in Fairfax. This is just one of the multitude of blessings God has given since we arrived last February. I praise God for adopting me into his worldwide family and holding me in his arms.

— Suzy Donaldson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist