I hesitated in sharing this story because it is a bit embarrassing and involves gastrointestinal issues, or….I’ll just say it….farting. Though it makes our grand kids giggle, there’s nothing more embarrassing to most of us older folks than passing gas at inappropriate times. (Mine happens most often when I stand up from a sitting position.) This particular time took place a couple of years ago.
I accompanied my daughter to the surgical center where she had an out-patient procedure done for kidney stones. The receptionist called me from the waiting room into a conference room. The doctor came in and explained to me what he’d done and what to expect next, etc. They would call me again when my daughter was ready to go home. He thanked me and stood up to leave, reaching to shake my hand. I thanked him in return and stood up too….and that’s when it happened….and I could not stop it!
I apologized, shook his hand and quickly made my way down the hallway that led to the ladies room. Inside, I closed the door and leaned against it, then glanced at the mirror….my face was so red! “Lord,” I said, “that was so embarrassing!”
A few minutes later, I was washing my hands and as I reached to my left to get some soap my arm brushed against the paper towel dispenser and paper towels started pouring out. I glanced down and saw the words ‘Motion Activated.’ and had to smile.
“So,” I said to the dispenser, “I see you have the same problem I do!” I laughed out loud then and thanked God for helping me to see the humor in the situation. (I think He was chuckling too.) I finished washing my hands and was able to return to the waiting room with a smile on my face.
As I said before, I hesitated to share this story and thought of it as just one of many personal encounters where God showed me His sense of humor. A couple of nights ago when I couldn’t get to sleep, I recalled this incident and laughed again. Then it dawned on me the message I had missed for all this time….the reason I decided to share it here. Lots of things in our world today, I realized, are motion activated….not just bathroom fixtures.
I pondered that as God’s people we are His voice, His hands and feet….instruments to be used to bring the good news of His love to a lost world. If we are idle and there’s no motion on our part we hinder His spirit and no activity occurs. All things happen for a reason and there’s a purpose behind everything He does….especially in the personal moments. One purpose He has is to make sure that we all have an opportunity to hear and accept His Word and His promise of salvation.
One motion we all should take often is to reach out to Him in prayer, then we must get busy telling His story and reaching out to help others however we can. Remember, God’s love is motion activated! Let’s share it and watch the blessings begin to flow….like paper towels!
