Monday, April 23, 2012

One Thing Leads to Another

Sometimes one small act of obedience can lead to great blessings. Many years ago, I was involved in   an interdenominational bible study called Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and at one of the meetings they said a new lady was looking for a ride to class. Having been without a car myself for some years prior to this and having to rely on the kindness of others, I volunteered. Picking up this other lady  meant it would take more time as I had to leave for class earlier because I had to go a bit  out of my way to pick her up. But sometimes that's exactly what God calls us to do.
As we travelled backwards and forwards in the car, we got to know each other a lot better. From that sprung up a deep and abiding friendship. She has gone on to become a very important person in my life.
When we both lived in Sydney, we used to get together each week to pray for and with each other. Then we prayed about the privately in our individual quiet time the rest of the week.
Over the years that has been a source of great blessing as we have prayed together for our families, our church services and our work for the Lord as well as all the other activities we were involved in. It never mattered that we belonged to different churches and different denominations. We were one in the Lord and united in prayer.
Then my husband and I moved to the country and you might expect that would be the end of the prayer partnership. Not so. Now between mail and email the prayer requests still fly back and forth and we each pray about the concerns and joys of the other. We may not be together physically but we are together in spirit. So, for over thirty years we have been prayer partners.
My friend helped pray me through university as a mature aged student, through a daughter's life threatening illness, through hassles with writing and publication of various books. When Streets on a Map was being written and revised and going though the publication process and then the launch, my friend was there, praying all the way with me. Likewise  I have been able to be there for her as her family has undergone church relocation, illness, operations and other family dramas as well as the joys of seeing children married and grandchildren come on the scene.
As I look back, I often wonder whether it would have happened and what blessings I would have missed out on, if I had not acted on the prompting years ago and volunteered to give her a ride to class. It's made me conscious of always trying to be aware of the Holy Spirit's prompting and being obedient. Maybe you have had a similar example where one small act of obedience has led to a multitude of blessings. If so, why not share it with us all so we can all rejoice in the goodness of God and how He answers above all we ask for and expect.


Streets on a Map, Dale’s latest novel was published by Ark House Press in December 2010. Prior to that Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published. Many of these poems in Kaleidoscope have been previously published in Australia’s literary magazines. She has won prizes for her poetry and has been published in several anthologies. She has also writen bible studies and Sunday school lessons.
More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/


6 comments:

  1. What a lovely tribute to a valuable friendship, Dale. I'm sure your friend will be love this post. I used to enjoy attending BSF too.

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  2. What a beautiful friendship, Dale. Kudos to you and your prayer partner for persevering "through all the changing scenes of life."

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  3. Thanks Alice and Paula for your replies. Prayerful friends are so precious. I do wish we had a BSF class down this way. That was really where I grew as a Christian.

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  4. A very special friendship, Dale. I've moved a lot during my life and making new friends is difficult. Your story warmed my heart.

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  5. I have a special friend like that, Dale. And aren't we blessed! We all need that special someone who believes in us and we can open up our hearts to.

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  6. Blessed indeed.Thanks Laura and Rita. I actually have another more recent friend I could tell you about too who is a blessing. But that's a story for another time.

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