Sweet Moments with Special People

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," ~ Ephesians 3:20

When preparing for chemo day, I often ask God to help me see the bigger picture as to why I am going to the Mayo Clinic. I don't want to ever look at this day as just going to Rochester so I can be made well. I believe there is always a greater reason and purpose that goes beyond ourselves when God leads us down paths we would not necessarily choose. Yesterday, was another one of those days where I saw God's plan unfold in an amazing way.
I had just checked in at the front desk in the Gonda building 10East before my chemo appointment when I turned around and to my utter amazement saw my cousin Arnold standing in line behind me. Arnold also has cancer and is a patient at Mayo, but what are the odds of us being there on the same day, at the same time, and in the same place. We had a good but short conversation as I was called to report to chemo. When Glen and I got to my room, Glen said he was going back out to the waiting room to see if he could visit with Arnold before his appointment. When Glen came back to my room he said he didn't see Arnold anywhere and assumed he was in with the doctor.
My chemo lasted three hours and everything went very smoothly. Glen prayed for a "boring" chemo treatment, and boring it was. When my chemo was completed, we exited the elevator and entered the subway level to leave for home. As we were strolling down the hallway we came face to face with my cousin Arnold once again. What another sweet surprise! Even he remarked, "I think God has something to do with this," and I agreed! He said he was not supposed to be in the Gonda building when I first saw him; he should have been in the Mayo building. That's why Glen didn't see him when he went back into the waiting area. Well, we had another good but short conversation as Arnold was off to his next appointment. I stood there for a few moments amazed that God not only had us connect up once, but twice! If our timeframe would have been a few minutes later either way, we would have never seen each other. Thankfully, God's timing is always perfect!!! On the drive home, I received yet another pleasant surprise; it was Arnold calling me. We now had more time to talk and made plans to get together for dinner the next time we head to Rochester.
I had one more lovely surprise when I arrived home last night. When Glen brought the mail in, I opened a card from my cousin Claire which read: "Life's about the moments with the people who make them special." What a timely word which well attested to our day. God certainly turned an ordinary day into a very special day by giving us two very special moments (plus a phone call) with Arnold.
Later that evening I called my mom to tell her about my day. She commented that she knew Arnold was going to be at the Mayo yesterday and prayed specifically we would meet up with him. A mother's fervent prayers are powerful and so are yours. You, too, were praying for a meaningful day and God heard and answered in a fabulous way.
Many of you have prayed for Arnold in the past, and I ask you would continue to do so. If you recall, you prayed fervently that I would be able to attend his 70th birthday party. How could this even be possible? I was only three days out of the hospital from cancer surgery. But God did a remarkable thing. With the help of my friend, Diane who borrowed me her wheelchair and God-given strength, Glen drove me to Stillwater to partake in an amazing celebration with Arnold and family. The picture above was taken at his party.
Thank you again for your timely prayers, and the special moments of spending time with some of you in personal prayer, and even the beautiful meals shared together this past week. Life is truly about the special moments God creates by bringing people together.

💞Kindness-the business of life
A smile, a kind look, a few gentle words, a considerate action...will suffice to open the soul and set a spirit free...-William B. Ullathorne
To cultivate kindness is a great part of the business of life. -Samuel Johnson

Thank you, God, for little things
that often come our way—
The things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray—
The unexpected courtesy,
the thoughtful, kindly deed—
A hand reached out to help us
in the time of sudden need—
Oh, make us more aware, dear God,
of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of places.
-Helen Steiner Rice