Betty

Betty looks like the weight of the years has nearly been too much for her. She walks slowly into my store, not knowing if she should dread the time she will spend with me. She is weary, and her eyes search mine looking for hope. I own a store, and she has nothing. Nothing but her washing machine. And she is hoping that I will buy it.

She is a black woman, and as she approaches with that look in her eyes, I hope she doesn't expect ill treatment because of my color.

She has been evicted from her apartment, and the landlord says she must be out today, even though she has no help, no money, and no moving truck. She does have a place to go, but doesn't know how she'll get there.

So she "bums" $3 from someone, puts a little gas into her old rig, and somehow loads up and brings her washing machine to me.

I tell her that it's not good news about the washing machine. I can only pay her $70 for the washer, and I'm afraid that won't get her moved. When I say this, I see the tiny hope she had fade to nothing.

God whispers to me.

She believes that I don't trust her, so she asks me to call the moving truck rental company and check on the price she will have to pay to move to the new town nearby. I do this, and even ask for an estimate of the gas money it will take, as well as the mileage charge. We do the math. While I'm on the phone, she eats several of the candy bars in the dish on my desk. Embarrassed, she says softly "I'm hungry."

I lock eyes with this woman, and I say, "We have to take care of each other. I will rent your moving truck, and pay for the gas."

She starts to cry. She says "Thank you Jesus" and I seize this opportunity. "Thank you Jesus. Yes, I believe this is the store you were appointed to visit today." We talk a bit about God's care, and she tells me that God will bless me for what I am doing. I tell her that God HAS blessed me, which is why I'm doing it. I tell her that I want her to stay in touch with me and let me know how things go. She takes my business card; the one with my cell number.

As we walk outside to get the washing machine out of her rig, she is still crying. She asks if she can hug me. Of course. She hugs me hard, and I feel her thankfulness. More than anything I want her to know that I don't look down on her, but that she is walking this same rough road and it's my turn to help her. Next time, it might be me.

I wonder what has happened in Betty's life that leaves her with nobody to help. She says she has a 19-year-old daughter who is concerned only with herself. I think of Laura, and how she would run to help me if I called her. I think, how can this woman have gotten to be the same age I am and yet not have a support net to fall into? I cannot imagine living life without being loved dearly.

Betty will rent the moving truck for cash. She will somehow empty her apartment, alone, and move to the new place, alone. Maybe she knows OF God, but doesn't know God. Maybe this day will be the turning point for her, and rather than just being able to get a moving truck, she'll learn about securing a heavenly home one day. One thing that I know for sure is that God did arrange for us to meet, and He timed it so that I would have just enough to cover that truck, right there available.

I plan to call Betty next week. She has worth, but I believe she's lost sight of that. She is on "disability", for what I do not know. I do know that she looks like she's in pain, and she walks slowly. Her deep brown eyes are large and her skin is beautiful. She looks like she might almost expect to be ridiculed or even struck.

We went to the mountain!

Mount St Helens stands tall and proud amidst a combination of fallen, scattered giant trees, debris, lingering ash, and new growth. Her face has changed, and she has no green on her upper side, but she's standing. She stands in defiance of the evolutionist or old-earth creationist and laughs as, in our lifetime, we see the mystery unfold. Walking around that place is to feel the mighty hand of God Himself. One of our guides quoted a scripture just as we began our ascent, and I do not know it by heart, but it talks about the devastation God has brought. It looks, when you are standing there, like someone plucked each tree from its spot and tossed it. HUGE root systems, lying on their sides. Everything destroyed. But you also see all of the new growth, the animals returning, and the mountain coming back at amazing speed. No, it's not taking "billions and billions of years". And much of what you are able to observe is similar to the effects the flood of Noah had on the earth, which so-called scientists have attempted to deny. I believe God knew that men would witness this and have to force themselves to just look away, or to know that there is a Creator and He deserves to be acknowledged.

We left (I ALMOST SAID "WENATCHEE") here at a little after 5:30 I think. We drove down to Randle (?) in the area of I5/SR12. I slept a LOT on the way, so the trip went very quickly. At breakfast I was very relieved, because we ran into many of the other people who would be hiking, and they were all at least 15 years older than me! At that point I knew I could make the climb.

The first fun thing we got to see was on 25 road, wherever that is! There was a black bear, a young one, just sitting on the road as we approached. It casually stood up and walked off, and I could not get to the camera on time or I would have a great picture.

We gathered with our group, and stood at the trail head, a diverse community. There was an engineer, several scientists, a lecturer and keeper of a museum, a teacher, and many others. The common ground among us was faith in God and a belief that the literal interpretation of scripture where creation is concerned is paramount to the Christian faith.

WHAT A DAY. It is rare that you have one of those days that sort of does it all. The sights, sounds, smells... amazing. The company... amazing. The conversation... amazing and God-honoring. For the whole day we were in this odd community, and I loved every single minute. Except for those lung wrenching quick ascends up the gravel strewn path. Those hurt. But they were well worth it. Sitting in the snow was SO GREAT on this hot, hot day.

We hiked for a total of 4.4 miles up and back, and gained 800 feet in altitude. The trip down was WAY easier!!!!!

I learned a lot, but the main thing I took away was - we NEED to be surrounded, as often as possible, by believers who encourage and sharpen us. Who challenge us to THINK.

I am sore! But I am not sorry, and I'd take that hike again in a moment. I even got new hiking shoes and pants. I was VERY thankful for both by the end of that hike.

That was my day on Saturday. What did YOU do??? Ha ha ha.