Wrong Number/Right Person

           As my husband has changed jobs, he’s been issued different phone numbers, which is only a problem when the new one is added without deleting the old. Well, it’s only a problem for the unfortunate person who is assigned my husband’s former number.

            Victoria’s mission to buy a new shower head for her apartment was stalled when she stood before the display, unable to make a decision. She called ‘Dad,’ not realizing it was his old phone number. A male voice she didn’t recognize answered.

            “I’m looking for my dad.” she said, thinking that someone had answered his phone.

            “Who’s your dad?” he asked.

            “Michael. Is he around?”

            “I think you have the wrong number.”

            “Oh, no. I really need my dad.”

            “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

            And for the next few minutes, a very kind and patient man listened to Victoria’s dilemma and guided her to the correct purchase.

            I don’t think that gentleman woke up thinking he would become part of the village it’s taken to raise my child, but I’m grateful for his help.

Proverbs 11:17 of The Living Bible reads, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind.” May random acts of kindness abound, be celebrated, and rewarded!

            Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.

Don't Trip over your Messes

            She didn’t do it on purpose, but when my granddaughter Adeline spilled the green, plastic ornament hangers on the floor next to the tree, I asked her to pick them up. I guess that’s a lot to ask of a four-year-old who is focused on finding just the right spot for each bright, shiny ornament.

Before I could stoop to pick up the pile of small, tangled wires, Adeline spun around, took a step, and slipped on it. Fortunately she didn’t grab onto the tree as she went down. As I bent to pick up the child and the mess, I thought, “You trip over stuff you don’t clean up.”

Whether it’s spilled milk, extension cords left in the middle of the floor (over which my granddaughter Olivia tripped), or words that should have been left unsaid, messes need attention. And I’ve learned that if I was the one who created the mess, I need to initiate the clean-up.

With regards to relationships, rather than ask for, or grant, forgiveness to the person involved, it’s often tempting to talk to others about a sticky situation. Whether it’s accidental or intentional, if I’ve created the mess or I’m just near to it, I want to be part of the solution, not the problem. To ignore it is to invite continued trouble.

            Paul’s instructions to early Christians is still valid. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17, 18

This Christmas season, the season of giving, I’m taking a good look at my heart to see if there’s any mess that needs to be straightened out.

Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.

It's OK to Pray

           When something goes wrong, either my husband or I begin the list. You know, the one where you list all the good things that are in your life in an effort to put the problem into perspective. Some have begun with:

            “At least we’re healthy.”

            “It’s not the compressor this time. The air conditioner will be fixed this afternoon.”

            “We know many people who have endured things far worse.”

            We only need to watch a few minutes of the news and learn of local and worldwide problems that make our own seem trivial. While I believe that we should keep running gratitude lists, I don’t think that they should prevent us from praying for our own needs – the great and the small.

            In the Bible I read that God has numbered the hairs on my head, records my tears in a bottle, and has engraved my name on the palm of His hand. God is concerned about the details of our lives, and is never too busy to listen to our prayers. In fact, He want to hear them, and the instructions of Philippians 4:6 are clear. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

            So enlarge your prayer list, add the needs of others as well as your own, and as God answers your prayers, your list of blessings will grow as well.  

 Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.