I swear on Mom and Dad's drawer that this is an absolutely true story.
I had a bad night last night with tossing and turning and nightmares and then threw up my coffee and BelVita breakfast biscuit on the way out the door to dialysis this morning. Then, when I got in the car, I started bawling and went into a full-blown panic attack and just sat there sobbing like a big baby.
As I drove, I just started praying out loud and I told God that I just couldn't take it anymore and that I didn't know what else to do but surrender and lay this at His feet and just have faith that no matter what happened, it would be according to His plan, and I would do everything in my power to calm the heck down already and stop with my nonsense.
So I pull up to an intersection and I see a man standing on the corner in front of the car wash holding a huge sign, but his back is toward me and I can't see what it says. I figured he was probably holding a sign that said the car wash was open.
As I pulled through the intersection I caught something on the back of his jacket.
It said Jesus.
I kind of chuckled to myself and then caught the front of his sign in my rearview mirror:
NO MATTER WHAT TRUST GOD.
I laughed so hard I cried all the way to dialysis and then had to sit there in the parking lot for a good five minutes to catch my breath because I said to myself "Who knew Jesus was a guy wearing a black satin baseball jacket in front of the Drive and Shine?"
So now, apparently, I'm hallucinating.
Which is nice.
I'm home safe and sound and waiting for pizza delivery...white pizza with veg and a nice tossed salad thankyouverymuch. Tomorrow I'm going to try my hand at pepper steak, and then Sunday it will be a JB request....chicken cacciatore.
My off weight today was 110kg, Dearies, which is a full two kg below my Dr Goggins weight. Next week I'm back to salads, since I can devote 100% of my energy to being healthy now because Jesus is on the corner with his sign and I promised I would stop worrying.
I mean absolutely no disrespect whatsoever, and if you are offended by this, I am truly sorry. If you knew my mom, you would appreciate that this entire episode would have been right up her humor alley. I've fretted myself into a complete snit for two weeks, and the moment I surrendered I got a sign.
A literal sign.
From a guy wearing a jacket that said Jesus on the back.
My pastor preached a sermon last summer in which he said “You never know when Jesus is going to show up.” Some sightings are more obvious than others.
ReplyDeleteBe well, Coni.
I believe.
ReplyDeleteLuv,
MaryO
Gosh no! no offense taken at all. After all God does work in mysterious way and I know he has a sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteConi, that was a God Wink. He heard you and has your back. Go with it!
ReplyDeleteConi, I love this. Whenever I have a particularly bad I place it all in God's hands and ask him not take it back. Then I ask that he wrap me in his love and grace. I might not see Jesus in a jacket, but life does get better and so does my perspective!
ReplyDeleteNOT OFFINDED AT ALL I have seen God work in my life and others in many ways. He sent His Son Jesus so we can have a relationship with Him, all we have to do is believe. Many prayers have been said for you. You are loved by Jesus and me plus many, many others.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! And you got a literal sign that God is there for you. (I agree that God seems to have a sense of humor, too!) I hope your weekend is calm and relaxing. The pepper steak sounds delicious. Take care.
ReplyDeleteMary
My Jesus story!
ReplyDeleteWell, this is a first! I was sitting on the beach just thinking with my head down. I looked up and a young man was standing in front of me and he said "are you OK, something told me to speak to you" of course the tears are running down my cheeks and he asked "what's the matter?", I said I was grieving for my husband who died. I know my kids are freaking out as they read this because they say "mom you don't have to speak to everyone "!! He said my name is Kenny and I want you to know I'll be praying for you, he wiped the tear from my cheek and walked away! I guess some Angels have tattoos and black painted toe nails!
Brilliant - well, you did want a sign and you sure got one! Love it. Carolyn's story is wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteDay 8 of sunshine - the wind in the trees sound like we are near a beach with waves washing over it. Blooming cold! No ducklings yet - this is their supposed day, but can be up to another 5days. Madam wasn't clamouring to get out today but fixed firmly on the nest. The others didn't come out of the new house until I'd walked to the gate (they had laid 2 eggs so that was normal - and they were happy enough to do so) and first Daisy, then Duke and finally Dixie. They then followed me back up the field to annoy the chickens. Since the sunny days the chickens have been slowly getting used to the ducks and sometimes I spot them all together. This must be lovely for the ducks because they came from a farm where they all mixed happily with geese too. Here I think they were a bit upset when they went to say "hi" to the chickens but were met with squawks and flapping feathers!
I'm so happy you found something great after being so upset earlier. Your weight which must worry you so much seems to be quite under control without taking drastic measures. Chin up dear girl, you are still rocking it! xxx
He always comes through when we are open to Him! Prayers for comfort and continue strength to get through this difficult days, Coni.
ReplyDeleteHe is always with you. Sometimes he has to carry us, but we are never alone. Hugs Sweetie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Coni! He does always have our back. Prayers for your health and strength...take good care.
ReplyDeleteMother Angelica, of blessed memory, suffered most of her life
ReplyDeletewith great physical anguish, but one would never know it..the
most jolly and humorous, but wise, creature ever born. She
came to gain victory over it by attributing it as a gift from
God, to one day be balanced by greater reward than imagined,
and when she faced and embraced it, it lost its power and she
became victorious. You are greater than your challenges and
are victorious each time you determine to keep going. The
fellow with the Jesus jacket nailed it... trust in Him.
Sometimes you have to see it to believe it. God blessed you.
ReplyDeleteI think that is just too perfect. Keep on keeping on!
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous answer to prayer! See? Even God has a sense of humor! Hang in there and know we are all holding you up in prayer.
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we get a "sign" that what we believe is true. Other times we go on faith. Glad you got a sign when you needed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us, and helping us to continue to hold onto our faith. We never know where he’ll show up. Eyes open all the time. God bless you, Coni, and all of you.
ReplyDeleteDonna
I think this was just what I (and you) needed today. Your story made me laugh but I laughed even harder at your friend's comment. Jesus in a jacket. That is quite the picture.
ReplyDeleteHey, Coni, angels are every where. I think it's very nice. People often have pre-conceived notions of what Jesus (or any spiritually evolved person) should look like. I shudder to think at (potentially) how all the people who have these notions would react if they were confronted with the second coming. There is no guarantee that the next child of God would be a suit-wearing, clean-cut, white male. If the next messiah doesn't fit the "profile", we could be in for a repeat of the crucifixion. Sadly. So, yay, silk-jacket wearing Jesus man!
ReplyDeleteConnie, here’s my “God has a sense of humor” story: about 10 years ago I was out of work. The last potential prospect fell through and nothing was on the horizon. I felt like I was facing a brick wall. I started praying that I knew God had a plan, I just needed assurance that he was with me. I was packing the job search for the day when my cell rang. It was Eric from Cincinnati calling about a long shot resume I had sent our about 6 weeks before. We chatted for maybe 5 minutes and he said If I send a plane ticket, will you come to Cincinnati next week for an interview. I agreed and hung up. 30 seconds later the house phone rings and it was “Vicki” calling on behalf of the Franciscan Fathers in Cincinnati wanting to know if I wanted to make a donation!!(you bet I did). I got the job.
ReplyDeleteAngels are every where and sometimes, they are more obvious that others. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteI TRULY believe that for those of us that maybe God just uses really in your face type of signs. No reason he wouldn’t. He IS God and he DOES know us.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, and wonderful! We serve an awesome God.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the guy with the Jesus jacket argued with God about wearing,and was told to wear it,cause one of his special girls needed to see it!
God reaches us where we are, He knows our hearts, and if He needs to use a man with a sign at a car wash to let us know He is there for you...well, you know, He's cool that way. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteGod is so good! He's got our backs and when we need to see Him, He shows up! (In a Jesus jacket, just so we don't miss Him!)
ReplyDeleteLike you, sometimes I need Him to hit me with a baseball bat when I my faith falters. And sure enough, He shows up so obviously that I would have to be blind to miss Him!
Blessings to you...always in my prayers.
Joanie
I love this!!
ReplyDelete