Article by Guest Writer Lauri Lemke Thompson
God took my husband Tim Home to Heaven about six months ago, and I’d
like to tell you what happened to me last month. At first, you may wonder why I
am telling such a seemingly minor and inconsequential story.
I opened the door to the hallway closet that holds my furnace/air
conditioning. Mind you, I did NOT do so to check on it (for who knew it needed
“checking on?”) No, I opened it to see if the opened door might bump into a
pretty wall decor I was thinking of hanging.
On the floor was a small water puddle. The AC was leaking and needed
attention before it damaged the flooring and nearby carpeting. “Thank You, Lord,
that I discovered the leak early so I can take care of it!” But then my gratitude
immediately turned into the pressure and aggravation of handling something Tim
would have handled. Do I phone a friend who may give me guidance? Just put a
small drip pan and ignore it? Or call the service company and perhaps incur a
large unnecessary charge?
Poor me, right? At the same time, an issue with my emails was causing me
consternation – another problem Tim would have handled (and probably
resolved in under five minutes).
I opted to call the air conditioning company; then I sat down to read my
GriefShare devotion of the day: “You have certain responsibilities and
commitments you must fulfill each day regardless of how you feel about them
and regardless of how you feel on that particular day. These responsibilities may
have multiplied since the loss of your loved one.” No kidding! Yes, that’s me!
Next I read a devotion that came in on email from an author/friend. She
based it on Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted.” (NIV) She also quotes the same Scripture from The Message: “You’re
blessed when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you
be embraced by the One most dear to you.” Yes, in His working, I am
experiencing that embrace.
She quoted Oswald Chambers: “Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it
gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that ‘underneath are the
everlasting arms,’ full of support, provision, comfort and strength.” Again – yes, I
am experiencing those supportive everlasting arms.
Finally, I went to my daily Bible reading and it took me to Proverbs 15:25b:
“He will establish the boundary of the widow.” Wondering what THAT meant, I
pulled up the New Living Translation: “He protects the property of the widow,”
and in another version it says “He keeps the widow’s property safe.” Hadn’t He
just done that for me by nudging me to open that hallway door to the AC?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Whatever troubles you may be facing today – whether major or minor –
know that you can count on His promises in Holy Scripture. You may not be a
widow, but you are someone God sees and cares deeply about.
Bio of Lauri Lemke Thompson
A Wisconsin native, Lauri Lemke Thompson lives in the lovely Ozark Mountains in Branson, Missouri. She is active in the Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers and Christian Women’s Connection (an outreach ministry of Stonecroft), plus volunteering for the local hospital. She published a book called Hitting Pause, a collection of her articles and devotions; her articles also appear in the Branson Globe.
