Piano at the nursing home.
When I glanced at the clock and
Realized the speaker hadn't
Arrived yet, I suspected the worst.
What if he didn't come?
As I played, I prayed.
"Lord, what could I share with these
Folks?"
Quickly the name Amy Carmichael popped
Into my brain.
I loved to tell her story each year to my
Preschool classes.
She was a missionary to India who
Rescued children from temples where they
Were abused.
As a child Amy was disappointed with her
Eye color, and one night she asked God to
Give her blue ones.
She was heartbroken in the morning when
They were still brown.
"You didn't answer my prayer," she sobbed.
But in her tender heart she heard God say,
"Isn't 'no' an answer?"
Years later she was thankful for her brown eyes for
They enabled her to disguise herself as a native and
Enter the temples to find the trafficked
Children.
I shared the timeless story with the residents,
Many of them childlike themselves.
I gave examples from my own life of how God
Answers our prayers with a "yes," a "no," or a "wait."
The words flowed.
And we sang lots of hymns with gusto.
I admitted to the old folks,
"I'm almost glad the speaker didn't come."
They all clapped.
But I hope he shows up next time.