HE NEVER LEAVES US

Last November I was in the U.K. (United Kingdom) with my husband on a trip that mixed business and pleasure. I was away from my usual daily rhythm and had not attended church for almost a month, so I was feeling a little sorry for myself and disconnected from God.

My husband was to fly back to the United States on the same day I was to continue my journey to visit family in Scotland. We left our London hotel together and took a taxi to the station for my train. We were running late, and getting later. The taxi was even held up behind a procession of the Queen’s Horse Guards – and it seemed that we were in slow motion.

We finally arrived with three minutes to spare; my husband helped me with my case (very heavy, as we had been traveling for weeks). As we got to the platform, the guard blew a whistle. The train was about to leave. My husband helped me onto the first coach, then the train pulled out, and we had no time to say our goodbyes. I was hot, bothered and almost in tears as I struggled and dragged my case the length of five coaches to get to my reserved seat. I finally arrived to find a man sitting in my seat. He moved when I showed him my ticket, but he was not very happy about it. I struggled to put my case in the already full space for luggage and made my way back to my seat.

I was looking forward to the four-hour journey so I could catch up with my reading and Bible study. As I sat down and got comfortable, looking like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards, I noticed my fellow travelers: three women around the table all with their Bibles out. They looked at me and then at each other, and started to put their Bibles away. I said: “Please don’t stop your study — you have no idea how wonderful you look to me. I’ve been looking forward so much to some quiet time.”

We spent the whole journey sharing our faith stories and reading quietly. I felt so much part of God’s worldwide family. We even prayed together before saying our goodbyes.

What a wonderful God we have! I felt reconnected and revived. Jesus promised that nothing could separate us from him. I thank and praise God that He leads us back onto the right path and surrounds us with His family, as we are all connected by the power of His love.

— Suzy Donaldson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist