The First Greeting
All Sunday mornings are beautiful to me, but this Sunday was more beautiful than usual. I was not my usual self – I was better! God had something special in store for me. I rose early and was excited to have my quiet time with God, the time to meet with the Lord and seek His will for the day. This is not something I have always done, but lately I’ve enjoyed meeting with God early. Rushed because of the hour, we grabbed our coffee, jumped in the car, and my husband drove to church.
Like an abundance of good churchgoers, we had the same seats that should have our names imprinted on them! We walked the aisle until we reached our comfortable, familiar place, then moved quickly to be seated. It was a good day! Everyone was excited to hear our new pastor. In preparing myself for hearing God’s word, I read I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
As I finished preparing my heart for the service, a woman approached me with an inquisitive look and asked if we might know each other. As we asked questions back and forth, suddenly, we both realized, at the same moment, that we were dear friends from another church and another time. That precious time was over 40 years ago! The service was beginning, so we sat back down in our “assigned” seats! After the service we spoke a bit more. The feeling of immense joy and anticipation to refresh a friendship was amazing! I shared about the recent publication of my first book, and she shared about the poems she had written over the years. talked about authoring a book together! She looked so surprised but immediately said God had already given her the title: “The Greeting!”
Our worship service scripture that morning was Luke 1:41 & 44, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit... As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Much like that, as soon as the sound of her greeting reached my ears, the book, “The Greeting” was born! Our renewed friendship and devotional collaboration began.
Now, I did not know what God had already placed on my dear friend’s heart. I did not even know she had been gathering thoughts, poems, and words for a song: all words impressed upon a mind and soul, waiting on the Lord’s working since her youth. I did not know she had laid out a fleece before God, and He had responded immediately, inspiring her to write “Mrs. Thanks-given.” And she did not know I had written and published a book. “Let’s write a book together!” did not take shape and become a reality until four years later.
Each devotion led us to realize that God’s hand was intentionally molding this into His book. Romans 11:36, “For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” We walked through open doors and pivoted from closed ones. Delays were stemming from self-doubt, laziness, distractions, disobedience, broken bones, sickness, battling unworthiness and perfection, and then COVID-19. This story is a testament to the perseverance and determination of God! He would not let it go. He would not let us go. We had to obey!
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” Luke 1:45
Just as the disciples greet the churches and each other, we greet you in the same manner. Peace be to all who belong to Christ.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” Philippians 4:21