Monkey Wrenches

That's what's thrown in the works sometimes. It's the detours around the predicted path, the unexpected part of the journey. We all have them periodically. They take us to new places, to some familiar places, to some places we don't want to go, yet it is our journey so we just go with the flow.

Last evening we were heading out of the driveway when it happened, you know, the detour...

Because of a project for school, my daughter was staying home from regular church activities. She was in a playful mood, and came out to say good bye to the rest of us and when she jumped down off the running boards of my SUV (all of about 8 inches from the ground) she twisted her ankle. Although not a serious injury, she is one of those drama kids! (No, she wasn't acting. It was her first real serious injury and her reaction was just as serious.) So off to the hospital instead of Bible Study.

(And a great thanks to all of you who instead of studying with me, prayed for us and for Hannah!)

Fortunately that 3 hour trip to the Emergency Room wasn't as serious as it could have been. The ankle wasn't broken, just a sprain and we're back to normal at our house again. What is interesting is how we were able to see the hand of God.

One of the things that happens at any emergency room (that they don't show on ER!) is the waiting. While we were surprised at the attentiveness and quick response we received, once the paperwork is finished, and the x-rays taken it's all about the waiting, waiting for the Dr., the answers, the pain medication to kick in, the discharge papers to sign, etc. But what do we do in the waiting?

We took some pictures, laughed, talked about both important and non-important things, but mostly we watched, listened and waited. We watched the staff, the other patients and their families, the activites going on in the hospital. We watched for people we knew and especially for opportunities to be in ministry while we were there. We listened to the conversations around us (not eavesdropping or spying, but just listened) for needs, hurts, questions that were plaguing the other "waiters." We listened to the nurses who had questions for me about some spiritual issues. (I did put on my clergy badge just in case it might help get some quicker service. It didn't help!) We listened to the intercom and prayed during a Code Blue for an infant patient and I'm sure a frantic family.

Yes, we were sidetracked for the evening, but just maybe for a purpose. We sought God anyway, in our circumstances and we found Him at every turn. I'm not surprised. It wasn't a test. It is a practice and an expectation.

Monkey wrenches are not just interruptions to our routine, they are perspective changers. They are hands placed on either side of our faces pointing our eyes in a specific direction helping us focus on what's been right in front of us the whole time but looked right past. Maybe they are just God's fun way of getting our attention. (?) Whatever they are, I like them. Maybe because I'm used to them. It's called ministry and to a greater extent, it's simply a part of life. And the greatest part about them, they point us to God...

...if we're paying attention.

Peace ><>
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