It is the first day, outside of work, that I’ve not had something else on the agenda. Father, we had some time together this afternoon to begin work on preparations for Sunday in earnest. I have a ways to go and we will get it all together in Your time. Please bless our time this evening. Amen.

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Let me begin by saying my bus – that’s what I call it though I by no means own it or have any other legal right to it – but “my” bus broke down yesterday. I still had over three-quarters of my kids on board and had to wait for them to bring me a “sub” bus.
Now “my” bus – #25 – is just a few years old and only has a little over 77,000 miles on it. My “sub” bus – #9 – is quite a bit older and has over 236,000 miles on it! But at present #9 is servicing me far better than #25, regardless of the miles she has on her.
Now it is inconvenient to do without “my” bus. All of my elementary kid’s names are written in Sharpie on laminated buses above each one’s seat. All of my cleaning supplies were well stocked and in order, etc., etc. But out of necessity, for “my” bus will probably be sent out for service soon, I moved to bus #9.
So, what possible spiritually impacting reason do I have for sharing this event? Well, since you asked!
One thing I found on #9 was hand sanitizer. I don’t use it myself but I stuck it in with everything else. And I believe that God instigated it all to prepare for at least a portion of His plan.
I was almost done with my elementary route this morning when one of my kindergarteners came forward while I was at a stop. This was literally her first day on a bus, her first day in Kindergarten and unfortunately her first day to get sick on a bus. Her mother had dressed her in a beautiful, patterned calf-length brown dress and it was accompanied by a cream-colored, long-sleeved sweater. She had collected a good portion of what she brought up on her hands and sleeves.
I had her unbutton and remove her sweater and stowed it in a trash bag. We wiped her hands and dress off the best we could and then I thought of the hand sanitizer! We wiped both her hands and lower arms with it thoroughly and got her settled into another seat (her seat needed cleaning, too.)
Now I am pretty sure that God did not orchestrate #25 breaking down just so we could be on #9 for this unfortunate event. But…on the other hand, isn’t that like Him to do so?
He loves us – every single one of us – more than we can ever know. And isn’t one of the grandest things in life being able to do something special, to bring joy, or to bring comfort to someone we love? God knows this little girl and He loves her. He knew what would happen and set things up so that He, through me, could lovingly impact her life today. His name was not mentioned but I loved her as my own – tender and compassionate – just as He would.
Lord Jesus, give us the opportunity to be a part of Your plan. May we be ready to serve, ready to love when the opportunity arises. Amen.

Sept 5th, 2019, Thurs, 7:50 pm