First hospital visit

On Sunday after church I went to Northfield for groceries. (How's that for an exciting opening? Are you on the edge of your seat?) Since this Target and Cub are completely different from the ones I'm used to, I can't find a darn thing and I end up wandering the stores in the most inefficient manner possible. I really need to make some notes on where things are or draw myself a map or something.

Anyway, all the random wandering meant I was running late for my plans with a friend, so I was feeling frustrated and frantic. But I had a voice mail when I left the grocery store from the secretary of one of my churches (one I haven't yet been to, so I hadn't met her or anyone else). She said they had someone in the hospital and their pastor is on vacation all month.

After coordinating with the supply pastor, off I went to the hospital on my way to St. Paul. I was slightly disappointed to alter my fun plans, but happy I could handle this on my own, meet someone from this congregation, and spare the supply pastor a trip out of his way.

And, as is so often the case with these situations, it was as beneficial to me as to the person I visited, if not more so. I prayed a simple prayer, but mostly I just listened to his reminiscences, and he preached to me (without even realizing it) about the certainty of Jesus' promises in the face of failing health.

As I was leaving, he said, "Thank you for visiting. Thank you for bringing the Lord's blessing to me."

Wow. I'm not sure I had ever before heard the link between my simple actions and God's work articulated so directly. Talk about humbling...who on earth am I to do such a thing? And yet, sure enough, God used me to bless this lovely man who had already blessed me. I am still marveling at it.