practical life lessons

You've Got The Wrong Number.........Or Do You?



I've said it before and I'll say it again, "There are no coincidences, only perfectly orchestrated moments of time by God."



This morning I was given a tremendous gift.  It was a surprise and competely out of the blue, and I know it will be a gift that will keep on giving.



Eight years ago we moved to where we live now.  When I called to get our phone set up, we had no idea that the phone number they gave us had been given to a couple that had our SAME LAST NAME before we got it.  Now that was a real smart move on the phone company's part.  It didn't take us long to figure it out because our phone began to ring and people were asking for the other couple that had our SAME LAST NAME.  We got those phone calls weekly.  It really got annoying.  No,  it was more than annoying.



Along with those phone calls, our phone number was EXTREMELY similar to a local Eye Doctor, Dollar General Store, Bowling Alley, Movie Theater, Medical Clinic, Beauty Shop, Taxi Cab, Real Estate Company that put OUR number on their yard signs, and a Restaurant.  So then we began to get all of those phone calls too.  For eight years we've been getting ALL of those wrong number phone calls.  Not only that, but I can't even count the times that the wrong number callers ask me to look up the correct number of the place they were calling for them.  Now, if we add all the political survey phone calls, the automated credit card phone calls, and telemarketer phone calls, it's enough to drive you to distraction.  It has certainly gotten us gun-shy when we don't recognize the number on the Caller ID.  We tend to answer the phone with an already aggravated tone to our voices sometimes.



So, this morning I made a Chiropractor appointment and went to the bathroom to do my hair and get ready.  Half way through my make-up the phone rings.  As I glanced at the Caller ID, I saw the phone number was blocked.  Well, I got all "put out" before I even said hello, because I just KNEW it was going to be another annoying wrong number.  As I said Hello, (and I must admit I had a little "tone" in my voice), I heard an elderly gentleman say, " Hello, is _______ or _______ Ferguson there?  (the wrong number Fergusons).  I told him NO, but we get their phone calls ALL THE TIME.  He then said," Well, I'm calling from California and we've known them for over 40 years, I knew him when we were in the service together.  They are a really special couple."  Just at the moment I felt my eyes glazing over at the thought of this total stranger taking me down memory lane, he began to speak again.  He said, "Well, I said "we," but I was actually calling to tell them my wife passed away this morning."  I felt all the air leave my body as I was jolted back to reality.  I heard a shakiness in my voice as I told him I was so very sorry.  He said, "My dear wife had suffered so greatly these last 5 months, you see, she had A-L-Z-H-E-I-M-E-R'-S.  Inside my head I heard myself shouting, Alzheimer's?????????  You mean the same hideous disease that stole everything from my own sweet mother, including her very life?  Now, what are the odds that I would be the one to get that very phone call?



We began to talk, and I told him I knew exactly what he and his precious wife had gone through.  I had lived that very life for almost 10 years, and I knew the difficult journey they had been on.  I told him he had done such an awesome thing by laying down his own life for the sake of his wife's life to take care of her, that God would Bless him greatly, and that there were many rewards laid up in Heaven for him.  He went on to tell me she was 86 years old, they had been married over 62 years, and how much in love they were.  I told him that was such an awesome testimony to their love.  He told me they had 3 daughters, grandchildren, and had been so Blessed with a wonderful family.  I told him they would only be apart temporarily, and that like me and my parents, they would be reunited again.  We both talked about how we should be REJOICING for her today even though it may be through our own selfish tears.  He was such a dear man to talk to.  He said he was sorry for interrupting my morning, and I cut him off before he could say anymore.  I told him he had given me the greatest Blessing by allowing my to Encourage him as he Encouraged me.  He said I had helped him so much by talking to him.  I told him to keep my phone number and if he ever needed to talk, to please call me and we'd talk.  Just as he was getting ready to hang up, I asked him if he would mind if I Prayed for him.  He said, "Absolutely Not."  I Prayed for him and we both said Amen.  He thanked me and we both said Goodbye.



I sat on the edge of my bed with my mouth open in shock over the whole situation.  I first asked God to forgive me for the attitude I had when I answered the phone.  Then immediately I began thanking Him.  Every day I ask Him to use me for His Glory and to cross my path with the people He wants me to connect with.  Well, by golly, He had done that very thing on the phone.  He had crossed my path with a gentleman that may have been thousands of miles away, but we had an immediate bond because we had lived the same thing.  NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.  He works in wonderful and miraculous ways.  He knew I needed that phone call and so did that man.



I don't know if I'll ever hear from that sweet, kind hearted gentleman again.  But I will, however, have a whole different outlook on wrong number phone calls.  Never doubt that God can use you, because He will show you He can.



Until the next time we talk........Stand firm on Philippians 4:13.

Love, Hugs, & Prayers,

~tf