so about a year ago, i was randomly shopping at a local retail store. i wasn't finding much, but i had a gift-certificate-type-of-thingy that needed to be used, so i searched deeper for meaningless trinkets and/or doo-dads.
until...
from the back of the store, i hear a crash and a cry of pain followed by moaning.
realizing this wasn't the season to purchase halloween soundtracks (let alone, the completely wrong store to find that kind of stuff), i went to investigate. one of the store clerks had been changing light bulbs and fell off a ladder--about 15 ft.
so, i began to talk to him to see if he was OK--even though by the shape of his leg, he was not.
first things first: "sir, may i pray for you?" (this had double purpose: prayer, of course, is the best thing, but it also got him talking so that he wouldn't pass out). i don't really remember what i said in the prayer, but God heard it and answered it.
the sum total of my first aid knowledge has come from watching too much tv, so we called 911, applied a cool, wet paper towel to his forehead and kept him talking until the emts showed up.
during the conversation, i got to know don pretty well. married, recoverd alcholic, member of his church choir. and he said he had one last vice--chewing tobacco.
again, merely as a means of keeping him conscious, i asked him what it would take to give it up, especially since he'd already overcome alcohol. he admitted that he didn't have a good answer for that.
within a few moments, the paramedics arrived and i got out of their way to let them to what they are trained to do. let me add quickly, thank you to all who serve in emergency services.
that's about the end of the story. a couple days later, i called the store and asked about him. he'd broken both legs and was in for a long road to recovery.
i often drive past that store and would continue to pray for don over the course of the year. that is until about a week ago. as i drove past, i felt a need to call the store and see if there was an update. it didn't even cross my mind that it was coming up on the anniversary.
...but i forgot.
...but then God reminded me by way of a friend that use to go to church here that had worked at that store during the Christmas rush. "he's looking for you to say 'thanks'."
...and then i get a phone call in the office from him! he'd searched and found me and wanted to say thanks.
i got an update that he is walking again, though he still lacks stamina. that'll be the next goal for physical therapy.
and the whole point of this post, and a short story just doesn't contain all the mighty works of God herein, is a couple of insignificant details that led to major milestones.
first, he told me that he felt like he was about to go into shock--until i prayed and at the moment of "amen" all pain was gone. secondly, he reminded me that i asked him about his habit of tobacco (which i had forgotten) and informed me that he hasn't chewed since.
none of the credit goes to me for praying nor to don for his determination to walk again. all the glory goes to God for the way that He heals and confirms His presence, let alone His existence whenever we look for Him.
thank You, Lord...yup, that pretty much sums it up.
