New Beginnings

I sat at a table with my mom and her friends at Christian Women's Club meeting. The meeting ended and I rushed away, the first to leave ... but the speaker had already made her way to the door. The speaker was not a young thing and I do not know how she possibly made her way to the exit before me as I was sitting a hop, skip, and away from it and she was a mile away. She sprinted her way there. Bless her!

She looked in my eyes and everything about her exhorted me. She warmly embraced me calling me by my first name ...  she wasn't an angel, I was wearing a name tag ... but, then again, she might have been. She had a 'Clarence' spirit.

Do you remember Clarence, the angel from "It's a Wonderful Life"? He was always listening for heavenly bells because he needed some wings.

Well I think I might have encountered Mrs. Clarence at that door. She acted as if she didn't want me to hurry off even though she had many more women to greet as they exited. Oh, how I would have loved to linger in her presence. I think I might have even heard some heavenly bells while walking and talking with her.

I continued to flee out of the door quickly making my escape resisting her desire for me to linger, but not before she slipped a book into my hand. "New Beginnings" was the title of the book. It is a little booklet designed to encourage those who have just given there heart to Christ after hearing the speaker's testimony. In my hurry, I did not stop to explain that I have been a Christian for a very long time ... no need, really, to hand this book to me. Something inside told me not to disappoint her, so I kept it in my grip and made my way to the car.

I jumped into the car and looked down at the book and smiled ... "New Beginnings" I said to myself, "Okay".

A few years ago, a dear friend gave me a beautiful angel for Christmas. The beautifully carved angel had a name ... New Beginnings. My friend explained that she realized how difficult my year had been but she believed that I was about to have some New Beginnings. It was her prayer for me. Her gift made my heart swell with hope. I was ready for new things ... or so I thought.

I didn't realize, at the time, how many things would have to change before new things could begin. If I had known I don't think I would have hoped for what was on its way to me. There were losses to face, new rows to plow, seeds to plant, deserts to cross, and wildernesses to endure.

Have you ever seen a wilderness bloom? They do. It seems they bloom more beautifully after a long drought.

Mrs. Clarence was like a drink offering that day. She thought she was pouring out to the Lord, but she poured fresh water right into my soul, jingling all the way!

I am in a stage of New Beginnings. Had Mrs. Clarence been told? I really don't know for sure but I do know that I intend to face it unafraid because I expect so many blessings to come  as a result of believing that all is for the best ... the Lord will make it so. It will be good even though some days may be hard.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Clarence! I hear heavenly bells ringing and I think you have some wings waiting for you!