The Stories

by Kay Heitsch

Last summer, our grandsons Noah and Eli came for a visit. Eli was sleeping in the spare bedroom, where I had a clear plastic container that I kept the stories, etc., I'd written in. Eli wanted to know what all these papers were. So I told him they were stories about what God has done in my life. I said I had written them for Noah and him to read one day. I also said he might want to make a book out of them.

The main reason I wrote these stories out is because of a Bible verse I read. At the time, we didn't have any grandchildren, so this verse seemed to be speaking directly to me. So here's the Bible verse. "Write down for the coming generation what the LORD has done so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102: 18 GNT

I was sharing this verse with a friend before Noah and Eli were born. Lisa reminded me that the coming generation meant more than just my grandchildren, and I should share these stories with everyone.

I believe this verse is for all of us. We all have stories of what the LORD has done. I think it's essential to write down our stories so people not yet born will praise the LORD.

Unexpected Blessing

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday it was pouring rain when Blessing Plumbing and Heating came out to do their rescheduled maintenance on our furnace and hot water heater. I say rescheduled maintenance because they were supposed to come last month.

The technician needed to put the hose in the sump pump to drain the hot water heater. But, as he took the lid off, he noticed the water was up to the top! So he jiggled the plug and tried a of couple other things, but the sump pump had just stopped working. Ryan checked his records and let us know that our warranty was still in effect. He replaced our sump pump at no charge to us.

Think about this! What are the odds of this happening as it did? This appointment was a rescheduled service date. Had Blessing come last month, the sump pump would have been working fine.

I used this quote and Bible verse today, "Sometimes blessings come when you never expect them to come. ~Blessing Quotes ~ "Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. Happy are those who trust in Him." Psalm 34:8

I am thanking the LORD for his unexpected blessing, and I found out for myself how good the LORD is. I am happy I put my trust in Him.

Miracles Do Happen

by Kay Heitsch

Many years ago, I had a miracle happen in my life.

Our son, Todd, had died in a car accident. As a result, we were all suffering in our family, especially our almost 3-year-old son Brandon. Todd and Brandon had a special relationship. Practically every night, Brandon would get out of his bed, go down the stairs, and get in bed with Todd. Then, in the morning, they would get up together, and Todd would make them breakfast.

When Todd didn't come home after leaving that Saturday morning, Brandon didn't understand. So when Brandon went down to get in bed with Todd, he wasn't there. So again, Brandon was confused, and as the days went by, Brandon began to stutter.

During the day, Brandon would call to me that Todd was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. I can't tell you how heartbreaking this was to me. I did not know what to do! I started to pray about this situation, but Brandon's stuttering continued.

One day as we were walking in our neighborhood, Brandon noticed a dead bird on the side of the road. Then, to my shock and amazement, Brandon stutter, "Thaaat birrrd is dddead jjjust like Ttttodd." Tears came to my eyes and Brandon's words broke my heart. But I knew he was right.

I kept praying that God would heal Brandon from his stuttering. Then, for some odd reason, I started to think I should bury this bird. I did not like the idea and continued to pray. But for some reason, I couldn't get this thought out of my mind. I even woke up at night thinking about it.

I couldn't see why I should bury this bird, but I decided to do it so I would quit thinking about it. I got a pail and shovel out of the garage before Brandon, and I took our walk. I scooped the bird up in the shovel and put it in the bucket. Together Brandon and I walked to the back of our yard, and I dug a hole. With tears running down my face, I told Brandon he was right; this little bird was dead, just like Todd. I had Brandon shake the bucket and call to the bird. Of course, the bird never moved. So I told him one day Jesus was going to call with a loud voice and this bird and Todd would come alive. I told Brandon he would see Todd again.

The next morning when Brandon woke up he was not stuttering, and he never stuttered again.

Do I believe in miracles? You better believe I do!

Lone Survivor

by Kay Heitsch

Today I learned that General Colin Powell has died. I send my condolences to his family.

In 1991 General Powell, Angel Wallenda, and I were given the Norman Vincent Peale Award in Atlanta, GA. It was an honor to be given this award with these two outstanding people.

I met Angel. She had cancer and had to have her leg and part of her lung amputated, but cancer didn't stop her. She still learned to walk the wire again. Angel died in 1996.

General Powell couldn't attend the awards ceremony, so I couldn't meet him in person. However, I admired General Powell and was proud that we received the same award.

Today Bill said, "Well, you're the lone survivor" when he heard General Powell had died. When he said this, it caused me to remember Angel and General Powell.

We never know what our journey in life will bring. However, if we live in a relationship with the LORD, He will help us live the positive and abundant life that Jesus died to give us.

What If?

by Kay Heitsch

When one of your children dies instantly in a car accident, many fears and worries go through your mind. I remember well the feeling of not wanting my other two children out of my sight.

Right away, I wondered how I would deal with the idea of Shannon and Brandon wanting to drive. The words "What if?" would come to my mind.

Once I turned my life over to the LORD, these worries became less and less. I started to remember how the LORD saw me through Todd's untimely death. I saw how good things came out of this horrible life experience. Deep within my spirit, I knew I could trust the LORD to take care of me no matter what life brought.

Both Shannon and Brandon got their driver's licenses. I'm so happy I turned my worries and fears over to the LORD and didn't put them on my children.

There are a lot of "What if's?" in life. Like the Bible says, "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them." Psalm 112:7 NLT

Keeping our focus on the LORD, knowing He cares for us, will free us from the worry of the "What If's" in life.

Right Place Right Time

by Kay Heitsch

When we look back on our life, we can see where we were in the right place at the right time.

When I was a child, I was walking home from town. A car pulled up and tried to get me into it. I felt strongly that something wasn't right! I immediately noticed the back door of the last store on the block and ran into it. Had I walked only a few seconds more, I wouldn't have been able to run into the back door of the store.

Later on, in life, I noticed people who needed help. Somehow I was in the right place at the right time to help them.

Here's one example. One afternoon I was driving home from work and noticed a woman walk down into a ditch as I was driving by. I turned around and went back to see if she needed help. Sure enough, she did. Had I only been a few seconds earlier or later, I would never have noticed her.

These are only two simple illustrations from my life. But we can all look back and see where God had us in the right place at the right time.

Is That It?

by Kay Heitsch

I had an extraordinary friend by the name of Dimple. She was one of the most spiritual people I have ever met. I'm not sure how old Dimple was, but she always said she was pushing 100.

Dimple and I spent a lot of time together. On many occasions, we would go out to lunch. Before we ate, Dimple would pray. I was surprised at her simple prayers. Sometimes she would close her eyes, but many times she just spoke. For instance, she may say, "Father, thank You for this special time I can spend with Kay, and thank You for this food." Amen

I was a new Christian at the time, and I remember thinking, "Is that it?" I had heard people pray many times, and they blessed everyone from ten buck two and went on and on until the food was almost cold.

Because of Dimple's relationship with God, she talked to Him as her friend. She didn't need to go on and on in her prayers. Knowing Dimple, I'm sure she had conversations with the LORD all day long.

I'm thankful the LORD brought Dimple into my life. She taught me so much about how to live in a simple personal relationship with God.

God Stepped In

by Kay Heitsch

We all go through tough times. Years ago, we had our share.

If it wasn't one thing, it was another. What I found interesting was how God stepped in to help in unexpected ways.

We have moved several times over the years. As a result, we've had additional mortgage payments. Our payment was pretty high when Bill lost his job. I had a job, but I was only making a little above minimum wage.

One day we heard the doorbell ring. Bill went to the door but didn't see anyone there. However, there was a package left on the porch. Bill brought it in. We were curious, wondering what it could be.

Inside the package were a lot of papers to fill out to refinance our home. We had not sent for this. Bill decided to fill out the paperwork and send it back and see what happens.

Lo and behold, everything checked out, and our mortgage payment was significantly reduced.

I've thought about this experience over the years many times. The unexpected way God stepped in to help when we needed it has caused me to trust Him more especially when times are tough.