Emergency! Emergency!
Today's Truth
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (Psalm 105:4).
Friend to Friend
My husband, Steve, graduated from dental school in 1981. For the first two years, I was his only employee: his dental hygienist, dental assistant, receptionist, insurance clerk. On the days that I was not helping him, I worked for another dentist in town. Most of the time, I was so exhausted that our joke became, "
One thing that amazed me, in starting a new practice, was all the emergency phone calls Steve received on nights and weekends. I usually answered the phone, and asked the caller several questions, one of which was, "Mrs. Jones, how long have you been having this problem?" Invariably the patient would say, "Three days," "Two weeks," or "A month." I always thought, "So why did you wait until Saturday to call?" Of course, being the sweet person that I am, I never said that.
One night the phone rang at about
"Hello," the woman on the other end stated. "My son is having a terrible toothache. Is the doctor in?”
Where did she think he would be other than "in" at
"Oh, I'd say for about two weeks," she answered.
So why did you wait until now to call? (Thought, but not said, of course). I spoke with this mother for a few more minutes but something about this call raised a red flag in my mind. Then I asked, "Ma'am, and how old is your son?"
She answered, "27. My son is 27 years old."
I was so shocked that I quickly sat up in the bed, accidentally jerking the phone cord out of the wall, and disconnecting the caller. She did not call back. I had envisioned a distraught mother with a crying five year old. But twenty-seven? Oh my!
I lay back down, complaining and grumbling. "Lord, why is it that people won't go to the doctor regularly but only want help on demand when they have an emergency?"
When I got quiet enough to listen, I heard God’s still small voice whisper, "Now you know how I feel."
Let's Pray
Dear Father, I am so sorry that I tend to come to You only when I have an emergency. I know You long for me to come every day, simply to tell You how much I love You and how thankful I am for all You do for me. Today, I want to say just that…I love You. Thank You for Your loving kindness toward me, Your little child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Do you tend to pray more often when you are in need?
How would you feel, as a parent, if your child only talked to you when you needed something?
As a parent, what would you prefer?
Now think about how your heavenly father longs for you to talk to Him.
For more on today’s topic see Becoming a Woman who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes.
G.I.G.
Girlfriends in God, Inc.
Matthews,
Web site: www.girlfriendsingod.com
Email: info@girlfriendsingod.com