I am doing something novel this day.  It is only 4:16 p.m. as I start this blog and the day is not over yet.  Who knows what could happen between now and nightfall.  It has been extremely peaceful due to lack of people around me.  Just Mr. David S. and that his been hit and miss as he is in and out.  I have not gone out into the world yet today but today God brought the world to me.

Ericka and Lilly went to play with cousins and I decided to try and get the rest of my reservations booked for my return home.  I am waiting now to find out if I have one or two days in Billings as a guest of Brian’s friends who live there.  Then I can complete the bookings.

While sitting here minding my own business someone knocked at my door.  David S. was out on a bicycle ride so I was all alone.  I cautiously peered out between the cracks in the living room drapes and saw a tall, well dressed young man standing on the porch, a comfortable space away from the door.  Not exactly what I wanted, someone knocking at my door but my heart quickened and I knew this person had come on this porch for some reason.  That reason was to hear the words I said to him.  I didn’t know that then, or even expect it.  Actually, I had no clue that I would even be talking to him other than to find out what he wanted.

The man at the door was James.  He was representing Edward Jones Investment.  After hearing what he had to say I told him my situation was temporary in the home and that I didn’t live in the area.  And so we started talking.  One thing led to another and the discussion of my trip came up, thus the discussion about asking him about his wisdom.  I picked up my phone, put it on record and he spoke his wisdom into my phone before I even knew what he was going to say.

James’ wisdom: “My wisdom is not to settle.  Don’t settle with things you are not happy with. Don’t settle, just keep going and keep trying new things, seeing new places as my new friend here is and I think that is where the enjoyment of life comes from.”

And then I knew I had words for James.  I shared my love and life and joy and peace with James.  He was so kind and considerate and listened so patiently.  I shared about my love for Jesus and how he could know him too and how to ask Christ into his life.  I actually felt led to give him a poem I wrote a few years ago about “God of the Scriptures” and gift him with a “Jesus Calling” book by Sarah Young.  He received them and said something that touched my heart.  He said I was his last call for the day because of the words I spoke he had to leave and reflect and think about what I told him.  I may never see James again on this side of eternity but I do hope that I will see him in heaven.  I will be waiting for him.  James is a person, who to me, is just waiting for God to happen to him.  Just by looking at him, hearing him speak, seeing his demeanor, hearing his wisdom, he has so much potential and so much value to God.  God is just waiting for him to open the door of his heart to let him in.  I asked James If I could pray over him and he accepted my offer.  I really do pray that God will bless him.

James was very helpful in pointing out places of interest to me on the map (which I brought out to the front porch).  We had a very nice conversation and I am so amazed how, when I chose not to go out, God just brought me the one he wanted me to share with.  It was such a privilege to be able to share my love for the Lord with James.  Thank you James for your receptive heart.  And all along he knew that I was leaving town and not a potential client.  Maybe that means he was really sincere in listening.

James’ wisdom was very intriguing to me.  As a writer who wants to know “the rest of the story” I could not help but wonder the root of where that wisdom came from.

Plans have changed.  We were planning to go out to eat tonight but instead of (as David S. said to Brian: “oh, you want to eat at home rather than take the traveling zoo?”) eating out David and I are going to pick up the order at the “Whitehouse Grill” and take it over to Brian’s house.  I ordered   The most popular item:  THE MIXED GRILL: Grilled Chilean Sea Bass, Tiger Prawns, Curry chicken placed over our house rice and served with garlic green beans.  Plus we ordered:  Shepherd salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, Kalamata olives, onions, tossed in our Greek vinaigrette topped with Feta cheese.

I’m down to my last nine days and one pair of pants.  I might as well have those tiger prawns!

I think I will close this blog for the night even though the day is not done.  In a nutshell, we plan to pick up the food, take it to Brian’s place, eat it, pick cherries, eventually come back here and get to bed too late with too many calories sleeping within us.  Sounds like a good rest of the day to me!