Two empty dinner plates and a miracle

The other day an 88-year-old man rang my door bell. I opened the door to see him holding two empty dinner plates in his hands.

IMG_5864“Here are your dishes. I meant to return them earlier. “Dorothy” (I have changed her name for this story) loved the salmon dinner you made for us. Thank you very much!”

I set the dishes down on the table in my foyer. “You are more than welcome,” I replied. “How is she feeling?”

Dorothy is an 85-years-old I know who had to start chemotherapy a little over a month ago because of a diagnosis of breast cancer. I was very concerned for her having to go through chemo at such a late season in life. I committed to making a nice healthy dinner for her and her husband on each chemo evening and to especially wrap the two of them in my daily prayers.

“Miraculously, she has had no nausea from the chemo!” Dorothy’s husband exclaimed rather jubilantly.

“Yes!” I couldn’t help myself. I was very excited that he used the word, “miraculously.”

“You can certainly say it’s miraculous–because God is taking care of her! We are praying for her.”

“Thank you very much,” was his sincere response to me.

I suddenly remembered that the following day was another chemo day. So, I said, “Tomorrow is chemo IMG_5878day. I’ll bring these plates back to you tomorrow night with a fresh salmon dinner!”

I suspect this brand new and very sudden arduous journey must be very difficult for both of these fine people who were starting to slow down a bit and trying to enjoy the rest of their lives, especially since Dorothy also struggles with other health issues and her husband has had a form of cancer for many years. I pray that my mention of “prayer” and “God” will touch their hearts in a special way. We have had conversations in the past in which they have told me that they are non-church-goers. I have given them blessed Miraculous Medals and I don’t shy away from gently planting the seeds of faith within our conversations.

I am a firm believer that our loving God continuously provides every one of us with countless opportunities to turn to Him and to serve others with extra doses of love. Please say a prayer for this sweet couple.

What opportunity to speak about God and about prayer will unfold in your own life soon? Perhaps it will be to someone who does not believe in God. Be ready. The Lord is waiting to shine through you. Your Guardian Angel will assist you!