You Never Know What the Lord Has Planned

We said good-bye to our friends on the east coast of Florida and promised each other we wouldn't wait five years before we had another visit

We drove through the interior of Florida to the Gulf side to visit some dear folks who have retired in Englewood. Merle and Marie came into my life when I was about 11. I know this because Merle told me I turned 12 after they came to our church. I'm not sure how he remembered.

One day they called my mom and asked if I could go to a church in Kentucky with them to hear a group sing. I was on crutches at the time and I have a vivid memory of standing in the kitchen hearing my mom say, "Yes, she can go, but she is on crutches." I think I had sprained my ankle. I managed to do that several times.

After the trip to that church, I spent countless Sunday afternoons with Merle and Marie. They would often take me to lunch at a local steak house and laugh because I would order a burger. At some point they started taking me on vacations to Florida with them. They have two children who were already grown when they "adopted" me. One day when I had my permit to drive before I could get my license, they picked me up at my house and drove out into the county. Merle was driving and pulled over at this old abandoned gas station. He got out of the car and Marie said, "Get out. You're going to drive." We must have spent two hours driving on those country roads. I don't look forward to teaching my own kids to drive and they took time and had the patience to help me.

My kids had never met Merle and Marie and I so wanted the kids to get to know them. I wished we lived closer so they could. The trip to south Florida was a last minute decision so once I was there I called them and asked if we could possibly meet for lunch. They suggested we just have pizza at their house so it wouldn't be as loud as a restaurant and the kids could play once they finished eating.

We arrived and the first thing Merle told the kids was, "You can pretty much do whatever you want. Your mom doesn't have any authority here." That cracked me up. The kids looked at me and I just grinned and nodded. I knew he wouldn't encourage too much mischief.

Marie made pizzas and gave the kids mini-oreos for dessert. She obviously was a hit. We spent some time reliving memories, catching up and talking about people back in Evansville. They told the kids a few stories about me. Merle told them about eating ice cream sandwiches on the beach. When they would take me to Florida we always had an apartment on the beach and Marie would stock the kitchen. Somebody had to eat all of those ice cream sandwiches before we could head back home. Marie told them I always liked pizza and one year we had pizza for breakfast at 5:00 in the morning before we could head home. That sounds about right. I have never been a big breakfast person, but would often eat dinner for breakfast. Rachel and I were talking about my lack of patience and Marie told her I never was very patient. I love that they had so many fun memories of our times together.

I've often wondered why they decided on that day so long ago to call and invite me to go to that singing with them. I grew up in a small church and we all knew each other, but I didn't spend more time with them than any of the other adults in the church. I was pretty sure I already knew the answer. It was a God thing.

Life got a little bumpy a few years after they came into the picture and they were a constant source of help, support and encouragement. I had always had a strong conviction to do the right thing and follow God, but I think the Lord put Merle and Marie in my life to be the extra example I needed to hang on. Merle's advice to me was often, "This too shall pass." I remembered to ask them why they did take an interest in me.. They looked at each other blankly for a minute. I said, "I think it was God." Merle looked at Marie and said, "I didn't tell her to say that." He explained to me that he and Marie were talking about why they had started attending our church and he had told her it was because God put them there for me. He had no other explanation. Wow! What a great example for me to always follow God's leading. Who knows how he may use any of us?

Before we new it our visit was over. We took pictures and said our good-byes. Once the kids were in the car, I turned to give Merle and Marie one more hug. I got in the car and Hannah said, "That's not fair." I asked her what wasn't fair. I was thinking one of the other kids did something. She said, "You got to give them a good-bye hug." Of course, I let her out of the car to deliver hugs.

Merle and Marie with the kids.

When I hear the song Thank You by Ray Boltz, I always think of Merle and Marie. So for them I must post the lyrics.

Thank You by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said , "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came t your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.