Sometimes God does things that I simply can’t figure out. I don’t know why I’m surprised because I should know by now that He is God and I am not! But the other night was another one of those times.
Our youngest grandson, Connor, whose father passed away a year and half ago, decided that he wants to attend the Pittsburgh School of Aeronautics after he graduates from high school at the Trumbull County Technical Institute in May. After his mother texted me with the information the other evening, I asked Donn, “Do you think there’s somewhere that Connor might be able to apply for a scholarship?”
Donn wrinkled his brow and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
I had been messaging back and forth throughout the evening with my new Facebook friend, Deb, who had bought my books at Maker’s Market in November, eventually started reading my blog, and then a few weeks ago sent me a friend request. She knew nothing about our grandson, Connor.
But within minutes of me asking Donn about the possibility of a scholarship for Connor, she posted a link where we’d been chatting. She said, “If you notice the posts I share on Facebook… 1-stepahead.org is a non-profit, my son started!! Main goal is to provide trade school scholarships…”
As I read her post and then read it again, it occurred to me that this was exactly what I was looking for! Scholarships for kids who want to go to trade school rather than college! In addition, as I explored the OSAO website, I learned that “The scholarship and development fund is focused on growing as well as raising awareness to the declining local skilled trade work force across Northeast Ohio…” Connor lives in Northeast Ohio.
I also learned that “One Step Ahead Ohio has partnered with Trumbull County Career and Technical Center (Connor’s school) to provide multiple Skilled Trade Scholarships to their 2023 graduates!”
I immediately texted Connor’s mother with the information, explaining how God had provided it. I told her, “Although Connor’s earthly father won’t be here when he graduates, his Heavenly Father is very present.”
Later, when I told Connor about the sequence of events, he said, “Grandma, every time you tell me these little stories, it always works out. How come? I know you’re going to tell me it’s God!”
Which of course opened the door for a conversation about how living our lives God’s way sets the stage for Him to work in amazing ways.
My friend, Deb, had no idea God was using her to give me information for our grandson when she posted that link, but somehow the Holy Spirit prompted her to do something that would encourage me and remind Connor of God’s care for him. God’s Mysterious Ways!
Also, last night as I turned on the car to go to my board meeting, the K-Love DJ was saying, “I want to speak Isaiah 41:10 over you: Do not fear, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with my righteous right hand. This is the K-Love verse of the day.”
How did God manage to have the K-Love DJ, who knows nothing about me or my life, ready to speak MY VERSE over me just as I got into the car last night? I have no idea, but tears came to my eyes as I experienced again God’s love demonstrated to me in His Mysterious Ways.
Thank you, Father, that I don’t have to understand your ways in order to benefit from them. Help me to trust you, the all-knowing One, to provide love and finances in ways beyond our understanding. Amen.
3/14/23 Health Update: The evening of the day my surgeon called last week, my oncologist also called to make sure I understood the reason for having surgery first. She told me that right now, I am on track not to need the worst kind of chemo if they don’t have any surprises when surgery is performed. But if they do chemo before surgery, they’ll have to do the worst kind, too, because they wouldn’t know what they’ll find when they do surgery. We probably talked for at least twenty minutes.
I am continually humbled at the amazing doctors God has provided for me. Dr. K has gotten me the referrals I needed for the other surgeons who will be working with him and he is going to ask his assistant to start looking for a date for surgery. Please pray there will be an opening that will fit all three doctors’ schedules and that there will be no surprises when they operate. (They will do my port for chemo at the same time as the other surgery.) Dr. K has told me they are scheduling surgeries at least four weeks out and the schedule is tight. Thank you so much for your prayers!