Running with the Lord
Suzanne Knudsen
This morning my running watch was completely dead. I was impelled to go for a run anyway and felt in my heart the Lord said, "You?re off the clock". So, I tucked my 2 pups away for a nap and headed out.
Just over a mile from home I saw a silver-haired lady approaching, bundled up for winter, walking a hefty puppy. Who can resist a puppy? It seemed the woman was actually lengthening the leash so I would say hello. I had no choice but to stop.
Lorraine was not a gabby woman, but she began to talk. I'm not sure when I realized it was a divine appointment, but I knew it wasn't coincidence we came upon each other. We had too many things in common, starting with new puppies. I could have run 3 different loops or left 5 minutes sooner and I would have missed her.
I tested the waters to see if she was open to discussing spiritual matters by mentioning a blessing from God. The conversation quickly went to the heart. She completely opened up, apologizing for the tears that came. A year ago last month her husband of 38 years died in her arms at home, within 15 minutes of waking. Today was a very rough day for her. She talked a while. I told of my lost pregnancies and of children in heaven I will see one day. I knew I would pray for her before I walked away.
She had a wad of tissues in her pocket, as if she was prepared to cry. She couldn't stop now. She called me her angel in blue, saying that we never know when God sends us an angel.
Lorraine let me pray for her, and I blessed her life. She prayed as well, speaking with gratitude for all that God has done and given. She described how she and her husband had built their own home and gave me permission to jog down her lane to see the brick house they built together. I took her up on it. I was impressed by this labor of love and I prayed aloud over the property, against the spirit of death, for an open heaven, and an increase on creative gifts.
This was the second time in as many days that the Lord stood me in front of someone to pray because of the loss of a close family member. Both times I felt my inadequacy to speak to that big a pain, so close to the heart. But I could comfort others with the same comfort I have been given, so I trusted the Spirit to do His work through me.
My sports watch that stopped cold dead on this day was a prophetic sign. For today (kairos), time (kronos) stood still, and heaven touched earth for one sweet Lorraine.
