The plan was to meet my friend at one of the botanical gardens at Michigan State University.
I Googled for directions and then wrote them all down on a piece of paper, for easy reference as I drove there.
The route seemed easy enough, and I had the TracFone so I could call my friend in case we missed each other.
Perfect.
The sun was shining and I felt so blessed to be able to get together with one of my dearest friends whom I rarely see as I have been moving from state to state the last too many years.
Up ahead, I saw the sign with the name of the road for my first turn.
As I braked to a stop, I noticed a second sign…”ROAD CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION.”
My heart sank.
“Lord,” I prayed, “Please help me to know which way to go.”
I studied the situation and debated what I should do. Finally, I decided that I should turn around.
As I did, I noticed a woman in a truck. So, I rolled down my window and she did the same. I told her that I needed to connect to the interstate at the road that was closed.
She made a comment about how helpful it would be if the sign stated that the road was open to the interstate and closed thereafter.
Whew! That meant my road was open and all I needed to do was to turn around and be on my way.
It immediately occurred to me that God not only answered my prayer,
but he showed me that I could trust Him to be with me and
guide me the rest of the day.
It was such a good feeling that I found myself observing all kinds of things as I traveled down the highway, giving thanks for each one.
…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10b
My directions were not specific enough once I arrived on campus. But, because I had also written return directions down, I used those to find my way to where I needed to go on different roads and in reverse. Once I got to my destination, I even found a quiet and free place to park. Then I phoned my friend to see where she might have parked. But, there was no answer. A few more calls were made with the same result.
The smart thing, I thought, was to walk to the garden. As I didn’t find her there near the entrance, I walked around the parameter. After standing around on a corner I proceeded to walk down the street and there she was. Yay!!
It was then we realized that she didn’t have my cell number and I didn’t have her’s. I was calling her home.
MSU has a pretty good-sized campus, yet we found each other pretty easily in spite of ourselves.
…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10b
The garden was not the one that we had visited for my birthday the year before I moved away. None of us knew where that garden was. When we get together, we make the most of our time, even if it isn’t what we planned. Then again, maybe it didn’t matter. We made a few fun botanical discoveries and then went to have a wonderful lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant followed up with coffee (her) and Chai (me) and a birthday celebration at Starbucks.
…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10b
All through the day, it was clear that God’s loving care surrounded me.
Can you think over your week and see a time when it was clear that you too were surrounded by God’s amazing love?
Today is Joy Day!
The day when we take time to count the gifts from the week, those blessings so undeserved, yet so precious.
Will you join with me in counting ‘seven’ from the past week?
I’ll start!
I’m grateful to God…
- that the “monsoon” did not flood our storage units.
- that even though it was a day late, we got everything packed into storage and the house cleaned.
- that we “made it” to Michigan.
- that our friends so lovingly welcomed us and invited us to make their home our home.
- for Poppy’s continual recovery…getting stronger each day.
- for fleas….well…I’m not really thankful, but since we’re to give thanks in all things I will. (Where did these buggers come from…just before we moved?! Our cats are indoors only!!)
- for the most beautiful, perfect weather day with my dear friend.
Now it your turn! Please join me by tapping in your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.
If you haven’t joined in doing this…please give it a try. Something amazing happens when we do this. I guarantee your Joy meter will rise. I just know during the week you’ll be looking forward to sharing again. [wink] Want even more joy? Take the Joy Dare here.
Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.
May your heart overflow with the joy HE generously pours into our lives. And may you be filled with JOY!
Surrounded by the Lord’s unfailing love,
Diane
I’d be delighted if you’d share the extraordinary goodness here with your friends
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Sharing with these Extraordinary spots: A Holy Experience + We Are That Family + Imparting Grace
1. Thankful for you, Diane, for your inspiration, courage, faith and love.
2. Thankful for our loving Father who watches over us and helps us in everything.
3. Thankful that you live closer to me; maybe we can meet?
4. Thankful for the sunshine.
5. Thankful for good test results.
6. Thankful for friends who care.
7. Thankful to be alive.
I rejoice with you in your ‘seven’ Sue!
God’s love surrounding you every day. 🙂
May your new week be filled with JOY!
Whew. What a week for many people I know.
Joy
1.doctors with specialties
2. I am back to neuro-PT and it will help
3. I’m afraid so I’m glad I have Gods Word and loving notes and letters and unexpected help yesterday
4. I love talking to Mom again
5. Wise godly counsel
6. Hymns
7. My husbands gentle care despite his own illness
Yay for God’s goodness in the midst! And especially that you and your mom can chat again. 🙂
Choosing joy through thanksgiving is a good thing.
May your new week overflow with God’s presence and grace.
[hugs]
~Diane
ummm! I wrote a comment this AM before church but computer froze up and couldn’t save or send so now what did I write?????
WELCOME to MIchigan! sorata! nice time with your friend it seems. glad you found her. I’m still praying for jobs and home–any updates?
hugs
Glenda Kremer
PS
usually when I get to this comment part my name and email are already there but not today. just curious!!!
hate typos–suppose to be sorta not sorata in last post! and this post my name and email were there as usual!
Oh….I hate when the computer does that! Arrggh!
Glenda…If there’s an update/good news…I will post it. Unfortunately not much is happening right now. :-/
Glad the info was there this time….crazy.
Hope your week is Extraordinary!!!
Thankful for:
1. The JOY you bring to my life.
2. Finished our first week of school without a breakdown.
3. For hubby’s continued employment.
4. The blessing of friendship.
5. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream on a hot day.
6. Worship music which brings healing.
7. Progress made on my book.
Have a blessed week!
My sweet dear friend…
I rejoice with you in your ‘seven’ today! No matter our path….God is generous, good, and so very faithful. I especially celebrate with you #3…and know that #2 is of incredible significance too. I praise God that he has used me to splash you with joy. Given the circumstances that seems impossible. But, only God. Only God could do something like that. 🙂
Praying for you as you write.
May HIS presence fill you completely each day of this week and may you experience HIS indescribable JOY all week long!
[hugs]
Hi Diane,
So glad that you had the chance to meet with your friend! There is something so special about a day spent with those that make us smile, especially, when we go a round-about way to get there 🙂
This week I am thankful for:
~Starting my week at Mass and with beautiful hymns (has always been my renewing spot ever since I was a little girl going to church with my Nana)
~Anticipating a good friend flying in next weekend
~The beautiful summer/fall weather here in New England
~Thankful football season has started for those who love it
~Thankful to have you in my life to remind me of all that I am thankful for……..THANK YOU!!!!
Awww…thank you Donna! You are such a dear. 😉
You do have so much to be thankful for. And you’re right…starting out the week with worship really does make the week begin well.
May your week be filled with JOYFUL moments.
[hugs]
~Diane
What a great story! A wonderful example of God’s unfailing love and his care about our lives. Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m pinning this! 🙂
Thank you Richella! God is so good. Sometimes we get so lost in our OWN worlds that we fail to miss all that he is accomplishing in HIS world. [wink]
May your day be filled with JOY!
~Diane
What a lovely story of His faithfulness! Thank you for coming by sharing your creative photography on Weekly Top Shot #101!
Thank you Madge! After my hiatus from linking up, it’s good to be back again!
Hope your new week is extraordinary!
~Diane
Wonderful way to share and witness. 1. No rush week-end! 2. No fuss cooking 3 Actually napped 4. Actually sang Joyful Joyful all the way through at the church service. 5 Finished the book I was reading 6. Stayed off the computer for the whole day Sunday 7. Enjoyed the first day of Fall.
I am thankful that my brother’s lawyer contacted him.
I am thankful in hopes of my brother helping me out with the fellowship group I am trying to form.
I am thankful my husband retired.
I am thankful my mom is taking me to church.
I am thankful for God.
I am thankful for my brother seeing his kids.
I am thankful for the gift of life.
Praise and thank you God.
And I’m thankful for your heart of gratitude, Cynthia. 🙂
May you be overwhelmed by God’s goodness and grace this week. xoxo