A story of divine purpose and Kingdom light
Published on Thu, May 6, 2010 by Rita BennettRead More Worship
This column continues with an interlude where situations in life reveal how one’s present level of faith is not enough.
I told you about Gail Miller and how we got reacquainted after living in different parts of the United States. She had returned to my hometown, at that time Tampa, Florida. We had a chance meeting at my church and over lunch she let me know that her husband had divorced her.
She could not make her husband continue to love her, so she put her life and future into God’s hands. Gail showed a kind of peace that was rare and appealing.
I invited her to share my apartment while she got on her feet. I continued to teach at an elementary school near my apartment.
I had taught school one year in Tampa and then worked as a social worker apprentice in New Jersey one year.
Now I was back teaching in Tampa, this time working with exceptional children. Three years before I had graduated from the University of Florida, in Gainesville with a BAE degree and life seemed to be going quite well for me.
TWO DIRECTIONS
Gail’s way of life was different from mine. She surprised me by attending a prayer meeting in Palma Cia every Friday night. I could not understand the appeal of this kind of activity for a woman in her early twenties. I wondered what could be drawing her to spend a perfectly good Friday night sitting around in the living room of a lady Bible teacher and her husband, and other assorted people from various religious persuasions.
I did not want to waste my weekends and I happily enjoyed going out to dinner, a dance, or a party with a date. Florida was quite a “party” state. Gail and I were both enjoying ourselves but we seemed to be drawn in two different directions.
One day Gail said, “Hey Rita, I’ve been given a reservation for us to go to a Camp Farthest Out retreat at Fort Lauderdale beach. Do you want to go this weekend?”
Right away I responded, ”That sounds like a lot of fun. I love to swim and relax on the beach.”
A DEEPER WAY
Frank Laubach began that first day with an early morning meditation on the molecular structure of the water, the consistent rhythm of the waves, he continued to give a microscopic view into God’s creation…
The Florida sun was beginning to shine on the frothy blue, white-capped waves and his deep, kind voice was restful. I had never begun a day like this. I was looking forward to the next morning.
After lunch in the afternoons, we met in different small groups with a prayer leader. It would start with inspiring words and biblical quotes. Our second day the teacher began sharing on the subject: Keys of the Kingdom.
Apparently there are two different kingdoms on earth. She taught something like, “One Kingdom is full of light and the other kingdom is full of darkness. It is up to us to choose which one we will live in. We need to receive the keys to enter God’s Kingdom.”
BREAK THROUGH
We eventually stood to join hands in our prayer circle, as people prayed spontaneously. I listened as they prayed. At one point I began to cry and try as I may, I could not stop! Maybe my sobs continued three or four minutes. I might have been embarrassed but somehow I felt relieved. No one bothered me, as they seemed to understand.
This was our last meeting, so I thanked the 10 or 12 people and we hugged one another good-bye. As Gail and I drove home, I knew something was happening to me but I did not understand – what.
I learned later that Gail had secretly paid my way to the CFO retreat. She was more tuned into God than I expected. Next time I’ll tell you more.
Jesus speaks of His Kingdom, “My kingship [Kingdom] does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things . . . My kingship does not come from here” (John 18:36 “Complete Jewish Bible”).
To read the previous two parts of my “Story of Divine Purpose” see HYPERLINK "http://www.EdmondsBeacon.com"www.EdmondsBeacon.com, or HYPERLINK "http://www.EmotionallyFree.org"www.EmotionallyFree.org.
I told you about Gail Miller and how we got reacquainted after living in different parts of the United States. She had returned to my hometown, at that time Tampa, Florida. We had a chance meeting at my church and over lunch she let me know that her husband had divorced her.
She could not make her husband continue to love her, so she put her life and future into God’s hands. Gail showed a kind of peace that was rare and appealing.
I invited her to share my apartment while she got on her feet. I continued to teach at an elementary school near my apartment.
I had taught school one year in Tampa and then worked as a social worker apprentice in New Jersey one year.
Now I was back teaching in Tampa, this time working with exceptional children. Three years before I had graduated from the University of Florida, in Gainesville with a BAE degree and life seemed to be going quite well for me.
TWO DIRECTIONS
Gail’s way of life was different from mine. She surprised me by attending a prayer meeting in Palma Cia every Friday night. I could not understand the appeal of this kind of activity for a woman in her early twenties. I wondered what could be drawing her to spend a perfectly good Friday night sitting around in the living room of a lady Bible teacher and her husband, and other assorted people from various religious persuasions.
I did not want to waste my weekends and I happily enjoyed going out to dinner, a dance, or a party with a date. Florida was quite a “party” state. Gail and I were both enjoying ourselves but we seemed to be drawn in two different directions.
One day Gail said, “Hey Rita, I’ve been given a reservation for us to go to a Camp Farthest Out retreat at Fort Lauderdale beach. Do you want to go this weekend?”
Right away I responded, ”That sounds like a lot of fun. I love to swim and relax on the beach.”
A DEEPER WAY
Frank Laubach began that first day with an early morning meditation on the molecular structure of the water, the consistent rhythm of the waves, he continued to give a microscopic view into God’s creation…
The Florida sun was beginning to shine on the frothy blue, white-capped waves and his deep, kind voice was restful. I had never begun a day like this. I was looking forward to the next morning.
After lunch in the afternoons, we met in different small groups with a prayer leader. It would start with inspiring words and biblical quotes. Our second day the teacher began sharing on the subject: Keys of the Kingdom.
Apparently there are two different kingdoms on earth. She taught something like, “One Kingdom is full of light and the other kingdom is full of darkness. It is up to us to choose which one we will live in. We need to receive the keys to enter God’s Kingdom.”
BREAK THROUGH
We eventually stood to join hands in our prayer circle, as people prayed spontaneously. I listened as they prayed. At one point I began to cry and try as I may, I could not stop! Maybe my sobs continued three or four minutes. I might have been embarrassed but somehow I felt relieved. No one bothered me, as they seemed to understand.
This was our last meeting, so I thanked the 10 or 12 people and we hugged one another good-bye. As Gail and I drove home, I knew something was happening to me but I did not understand – what.
I learned later that Gail had secretly paid my way to the CFO retreat. She was more tuned into God than I expected. Next time I’ll tell you more.
Jesus speaks of His Kingdom, “My kingship [Kingdom] does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things . . . My kingship does not come from here” (John 18:36 “Complete Jewish Bible”).
To read the previous two parts of my “Story of Divine Purpose” see HYPERLINK "http://www.EdmondsBeacon.com"www.EdmondsBeacon.com, or HYPERLINK "http://www.EmotionallyFree.org"www.EmotionallyFree.org.