If you have ever floated on the prayers of others, you know it feels like walking on water, right? It seems that you are doing otherwise hard things in an effortless way. The struggle, the stress just isn't there.
Last week Monday it came to me; I had two events on Friday evening, and from past experience I knew I'll be a physical wash-up for two days afterwards. I was concerned enough to let Lorraine, a friend from my past in Ontario, know by email. She promptly prayed for me by return email, and said she'd pray all week.
Later I mentioned in another email to Connie that I had lined up a prayer partner over this matter, and she wrote back to make that two friends.
On Wednesday afternoon I was in the city at the WTM office, to get okays on some literature and forms and a centerpiece design I had made for the fund-raiser on Friday night. I told them I was already covered with prayer so that I wouldn't crash and be sick on Saturday and Sunday. I believe they prayed too.
I'd given up large segments of my own schedule to get these things ready for the fund-raiser, and Thursday found that finishing up the centerpieces and the last few items of signup forms was taking me ALL day.
It had been easier to prepare for the other event for Friday night. I was to speak and present a Tribute to a man who had contributed a lot to our Mennonite ethnic culture and society. I'd been writing and polishing it in my writing hour for several weeks already. It was as good as done.
Thursday night after 11:30 pm, I started the glue-gun assembly work on the centerpieces. A 12" tri-fold stand with an informational sheet on one side, and a green sheet of music on the other. Over the music I glued a white paper lily diagonally, and over that a banner in hot pink with key information about out next fundraiser.
I'd prepared material for 30 of these, but about 12:30 going on 1 am, when I'd only got 20 done, I decided I needed to go to bed or I'd be a basket case right from the beginning of the next day.
Friday morning I finished the paperwork, and started checking my lists, packing up the stuff, getting myself dressed up. At 3 pm. Dad and I loaded the car and headed to the church in the next town where Soup and Pie supper was to be.
Oddly enough I wasn't really tired yet. Before we left I committed it all to the Lord, and decided by faith to "receive" a wonderfully successful night.
We were at the Osler Community Church in about 15 minutes and teens had been assigned to help me, so I got to work putting displays on all the tables.
I did not feel rushed or panicky, but kept moving to the next thing and the next thing, and taking time to be friendly to all who wanted to chat. In fact, I considered my main job there was to "network."
By the time we needed to leave for the Heritage night I saw that the Supper was a big success. Admission was by donation and the bucket was heavy-full! We were running out of soups too!
Another couple, friends, followed us to Saskatoon for the Heritage Night.
That meeting room was packed out, but the woman who had been in touch with me, quickly got a chair placed in front so I could sit with the honorees and their wives. I saw by the program that my tribute would be the last of four.
While I sat waiting, I felt a strange, cheery calm. Odd, I told myself. I ought to be nervous! I felt so good about the success of the supper - but all these people - I ought to be in a cold sweat! Then I remembered I had people praying for me.
As soon as the meeting was over, I had people coming up to specifically tell me I had done a good job. Some said I was the best presenter of the evening!
As I mingled and networked or chatted with whoever, and showed my friends around, I carried my briefcase with my genealogy books with me. Just in case. Sure enough, I sold two of them!
Driving home, I began to feel tired, but a happy tired. I went to bed without complaining, with just a hint of wonder whether I wouldn't wake up with a sick headache.
But no, I woke alert and bright and feeling great. So I did my weekly cleaning upstairs, and revised my filing system for a desk drawer, cleaned my room downstairs, and all the craft stuff, and in the evening I made kids' books which I had promised months ago.
Sunday was another great day. I could hardly get over my contentment and health; a clear head pervaded my weekend. But also an awe at the effect of praying friends in the background.
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada