In His Time

It was seventy-nine degrees with fifty-six percent humidity and cloudy. Despite the non-appearance of the sun or blue skies, the five of them, Lisa, Marie, Anne, Joseph, and Renee piled into Marie’s SUV, along with two dogs, a beagle and a toy poodle, to drive the thirty miles to a picnic at the lake.

The host, Kelly, was only aware that Lisa and Joseph were coming. She also expected Lisa’s dog Amber. The gathering would be very small and intimate just as they had been for nearly a decade. Yet within minutes, God’s plans would change Kelly and Marie’s day and lives forever.

At the gated community fence, Lisa buzzed and announced herself to Kelly on arrival. Everyone else in the car, dogs included, remained keep to keep the surprise alive.

“Whose gray SUV is that?” Kelly asked her son Troy.

“Well, it’s not Lisa’s car, she drives a bright blue SUV.”

“Oh my, that is Marie’s car!” and with that realization, Kelly runs out of the house and up the hill to greet her visitors.

With a smile as wide as the Mississippi River is long, Kelly gleefully exclaimed,  “Oh, what a wonderful surprise, I cannot believe it, that you are here. Oh, I am so excited and I’m not going to stop smiling for days.”

Marie got out of her SUV, with gift bag in hand, and hugged Kelly for the longest time. It was a tender moment–more like three minutes, but who’s counting? There were others to greet but this was a special reunion. Kelly did not know that Marie or Anne was coming. She only knew about Lisa and Joseph. Yet days before this party, there was a secret plan being arranged between two of the visitors.

Once inside the house, the visitors saw Carter. Time may have perhaps been his greatest ally because he seemed more reticent than in the past.

Marie had brought a special gift for Kelly and she was anxious for her to open the present. With trembling fingers, Kelly opened the card and read the words. The card had a simple flower vase on the front with a wilted over rose drooping toward the ground. On its cover, the words read, “I am so sorry I hurt you.” and inside the message continued with “Will you forgive me?” Tears welled in her eyes and once again, she hugged Marie very tightly. No words were needed, the hug was evidence enough that the healing between these two women was beginning.

Then Kelly opened the small gift inside the bag. After finally ripping the paper, she uncovered a three inch square slate plaque that had an intricately carved cross with the words inscribed, “God answers prayers.”

“Oh yes he does!” Kelly exclaimed as she hugged Marie. “I’ve been praying for this day for a very long time.”

“Me too.” Marie whispered softly into Kelly’s ear.

It has been a long time in coming, but God’s time finally arrived.