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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Do you remember the television show "Mission Impossible"? The head of the Impossible Missions force, Mr. Jim Phelps listens to a tape which will self-destruct in five seconds. He is given a choice to accept the assignment or not. At the end of the tape, he is wished "good luck". It made me wonder about the divine assignments that we are given as the Mission Possible force, as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God". Sometimes we accept the assignment readily, and sometimes we are reluctant to do so. At other times, when unaware and frazzled, we don't even realize what our marching orders are.
At the end of my early morning devotional and reflection time, I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and show me my assignment(s) for the day. When I am in this state of mind, I ask with willingness and acceptance. However, as the day goes on with appointments, interruptions, responsibilities, and challenges, I sometimes become "not so willing" or even forgetful of my early morning request of the Holy Spirit.
My husband John and I create "dates" when we have to go to the Veterans Administration in Carrollton for his appointments. We enjoy the drive through the country and leave early so that we are on time. On one such "date" in September this year, we were driving for John's appointment to be tested and fitted for hearing aids. Since my career for 44 years has been as a speech therapist, I have also been interested in audiology. When we arrived, I approached the front desk and requested if it would be possible for me to accompany John for his appointment to not only ask questions, but also to see the newest technology in hearing testing. The friendly front desk person said that he would present my request to the audiologist.
John and I sat down in the waiting room adhering to the social distancing and wearing our masks. A very tall woman came to the door to call the next patient. She called out "John Russell". John stood up. I stood up as well with a very positive feeling that I would be allowed to go with him for his appointment based on my request at the front desk. The tall woman turned out to be the audiologist. She pointed to me and stated in no uncertain terms, "And YOU cannot come in with him!" I had a deja vu dramatic moment as I remembered the scene in "Lord of the Rings" in which Gandolf commands the evil Balrog with the words, "You shall NOT pass!" Knowing I was not that evil and that I would not be joining John as I had happily anticipated, I was "mad-sad" as my speech students would say, meaning you feel angry and sad at the same time. I didn't stay mad for very long after recalling a therapy session in which radical acceptance and the "dance of anger" were the topics.
Thus, I brought out my AARP magazine and decided to finally finish reading it. As I was reading, I noticed a couple sitting a few seats away. The husband who had a long beard was wearing a tattered Viet Nam veterans' cap, had a noticeable tremor in his left hand, and spoke in a very loud, but raspy voice complaining about his hearing aids which were whistling in his shaky hand. The wife was quiet and submissive. She was trying to calm him down, but to no avail. He was cursing and complaining and blaming her for "everything". Finally, one of the V.A. staff came out to see if he could help. He became the brunt of the cursing and complaining. I so admired the calm tone and demeanor displayed by this staff member. He kept saying to the veteran, "I understand". He also noted that the veteran did not have an appointment and had just showed up at the V.A. that morning because he told his wife to drive him there. Then the staff member said, "I am going to check out when we can get you in for an appointment. I'll be right back."
The veteran still swearing, fuming, and blaming his wife stormed past me and headed toward the front desk to share his upset. The wife slowly followed him with her head bent down as she passed by me. I asked the Holy Spirit for help with what to do. I stood up, patted the wife's shoulder, looked her in her eyes, and these words came to me, "I noticed the kind words you used with your husband. You are amazing." She said, "How is it that I can't do anything right?" I was then urged to say, "I think you are doing a lot of things right. What is your name? Do you mind if my husband and I call out your name in our prayers this evening?" She immediately said, "Please do pray for me. Thank you." Then we hugged, and she moved on to seek out her husband. What surprised me was that the words were not mine. They "came" to me. I also felt no hesitation about "driving in her lane". Then I sat down and read. The couple passed by me as they headed back to their seats. I nodded at her; she nodded back. I was also surprised that when I started to be judgmental of the husband, that instead, I stopped and said a prayer "inside my mind" for him, realizing I did not know his full story.
Of course, John heard the entire story on our drive home. I also called my sister and shared it with her. In her wonderful sisterly wisdom, Susan said, "That's why you weren't allowed to go inside with John for his appointment. God had a different assignment for you." Susan created an "Ah-ha" moment for me (as Oprah used to say on her talk show).
So there you have it. Who would have thought that one can be a divine conduit at a V.A. appointment? God is not a bit surprised since He calls upon us as his "chosen people" to do His will in His way with His words at His time.
Dear Lord, Forgive us when we do not readily accept our divine assignments. Help move us forward out of our recalcitrance. We know we need to listen more and be more open to celestine moments. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Heather Russell
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