We only have 1 more day after today. TOMORROW evening we go get Daddy from the airport. Hooray! The kids have been doing great, but it has been exhausting. I even took a short nap yesterday.
Last evening, I was supposed to call Brian around 8:30 pm, after the kids were in bed and after he returned from dinner with his boss (it’s a man, not a woman). He forgot the charger for his cell phone so I knew it would be harder for him to get in touch with me. So I tried around 8:30 – then 9:00 – then 9:30. Then I started to worry a little. I know Brian’s concept of time, well, actually, he has no concept of time. But it wasn’t like him to not be there. I have watched Dateline too many times and began to wonder what could have happened. Were they in a car accident? He had told me his room was on the end of the hall by the door where everyone entered the hallway – could someone have gotten into his room? Yeah, yeah. I know. Don’t watch 48 Hours Investigates. I tried again at 10:00. No answer. The people at the front desk were probably wondering ‘who is this popular person in Rm 135?’ I was starting to get a little perturbed as well. Even if his cell phone wasn’t working, he has the long-distance calling card and he could call collect! So I decided to talk to the people at the front desk. I spoke with Tameka – sweet girl. After I explained my dilemma and my concerns, she told me they aren’t supposed to do this, but that she would have the House Manager knock on the door and see if he was there. I didn’t hear back for a while but finally got back in touch with Tameka around 11:00 and she said he had just gotten there and was waiting for my call. (After I talked to Brian, he shared with me that Tameka has said, “Mr., please call your wife, I think she's worried and I was scared she was going to start crying on the phone!”)
He finally answered the phone, and started off by saying he was sorry. He had been talking with his boss the entire time, at the restaurant and finally in the parking lot. I angrily relayed to Brian my frustration and fear. I had just looked up the local Livingston, NJ police department to call them and see if there had been any car accidents that evening. (I know, a little premature and dramatic – what can I say?)
I told him, “Well, he had better have gotten saved during that conversation or something for it to have taken so long.” Brian said, “well, actually I was able to share the gospel with him.” Oh. At that point, I felt about an inch tall. I apologized for being quick to anger and slow to understand. You see, I have been praying for a long time that Brian would have the opportunity to share the gospel with his boss. There was not an immediate decision but Brian was able to explain justification and what Christ did on the Cross. They were able to share openly and candidly. His boss was receptive and not cynical. My prayer is that God will continue this work in the life of Brian’s boss, and friend. It is God who saves and I am thankful that Brian was faithful to share the Gospel – and that his cell phone didn’t work and I couldn’t interrupt what God was doing! Thank You Lord for answering that prayer!
6 comments:
I worry too when I can't get a hold of my husband....and vice versa for him. But how AWESOME that your husband was sharing God's love with his boss!!! YAY for him for walking through the open door that God provided for him. I've heard it takes at least 15 times for someone to hear the gospel before they accept Christ....your husband was one of his boss' 15!!
That's wonderful news - though I'm sorry you had such an anxious time. My husband recently had the opportunity to share with an aquaintance. He made a passing comment about Providence. This person got curious and started looking up the term on the internet, then went out and bought a Bible and read it in a couple weeks, peppering my husband with questions over email. Very exciting!
It's amazing how God works, isn't it? I'm glad He's in charge and not me!
My sweet hubby has to travel a couple of times a year with his work, too. I know how you were feeling.
It is awesome that your man was ready to speak when the opportunity presented itself. Praise God!
I have done the same thing. I have to stop watching Dateline. I have had John in the grave and been plannning what the girls and I would do with out him many times. I don't think that men realize how much their wives worry. It seems like every time John is late calling me it is because of a spiritual convo with a coworker. it makes it hard for me to continue with my righteous indignation over his lateness. I'm glad that Brian had a chance to share with his boss!
Claire
Speaking of sharing the gospel, I visited the site for your church, Jenn, and it does look exciting. We left an SBC church to plant one, too! We worked hard for two years, but it didn't work out. I could write a book about all the reasons why, but I'll spare you. How long have you guys been serving to plant this church? Is is taking off?
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