One in a Million

Yesterday we took another blow with the truck not getting fixed. It broke down again. That feeling of nowhere to go to get out of this mess is building on me. I know to expect curve balls, but come on.... it's not funny anymore. And today it really hit me hard. I haven't cried yet, but sitting at dinner tonight it was cresting.

And then..... an angel appeared.

We were in this little diner that we've been frequenting just a block from the hotel. It's one of those old New York style diners with the long counter and lot's of booth seating. The outside façade has a flashy streamlined silver structure with an old school name - Eldorado Diner. The logo for the diner looked just like the old El Dorado automobile logo. It is like something right out of the 1950's. The staff and most patrons, however, were of Indian descent - an ironic language barrier that I wasn't expecting from a NY diner. The menu is gigantic and full of all types of ethnic entrees - including the good ole fashion American fare. So today we decided on cheeseburgers - forget the diet. Ugh.

We were both deep into thought as we waited on our food. I kept looking out the window feeling like a caged bird. Ronnie was quiet, too. Our meals came and we turned to eat in silence, too tired or too worn out to make much conversation.

Out of the blue, there she was standing at our table looking down intently at us. She was a thin elderly black woman dressed as sprite as ever and with the cutest denim beret on. I was startled and thought at first that she was needing something or about to ask for help. Instead, she started to speak and said that she just "had to come over and speak to a table when someone has Redeemed and Blessed on their arms." How she saw us, we can't figure out, because she was in a booth behind us and facing away from us.

She said that she was intrigued by us.

"I am from Ohio", she said.

"Oh really? We are from Indiana."

"I have been in Indiana! I went to school in Bloomington... IU," she replied.

"So did I!"

What a small world! She said that when she attended IU, she was a black woman in a white college town, and befriended an angel of a woman who took her to church. It was a Pentecostal church and she said she was the only black woman in that church when her new friend took her. She laughed and asked if we could imagine that! It didn't take long, she said, before she had a whole bunch of her black friends coming, too.

She pointed to her niece who was still at the other table and said that she is used to her 91 year old aunt getting up and talking to folks when they go out. She then continued, "But I just wanted to remind you about Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you.....

Say What?!

She continued, "You need to remember that you are One In A...", then she paused and looked me to finish.

"Million", I said.

"That's right!" She started to tap a napkin in different spots and said that out of all the millions of sperm, one was chosen and YOU WERE MADE! You are One in a Million and God has a plan for you to make you prosper!

Wow....

You see, I have been meditating on Romans 5:3 these last couple of weeks and how we glory in tribulation which builds perseverance, which then builds character, which then builds hope - and Hope does not disappoint. I've struggled with the 'glory' part, yet have realized that glory doesn't mean celebrate. How could it? Instead, this lovely lady reminded me that God doesn't create these problems, but He is there with me, His one in a million, through these tribulations and that Ronnie and I will prosper.

As tribulations go, they are pretty hard. But last night at dinner, this beautiful Angel brought us some peace, a reminder that God Has This and that we will be OK.