Diane Williams - Angels in Action - Stories to Inspire

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading through scriptures, trying my best to do as Joan advised. Then I looked at the clock and noticed that it was past five. No calls. And now, no one was going to call.

I phoned Joan again. “Joan,” I said, “I’m following the process, but…but…”

“But what?” Joan asked.

I said, “It’s after five and the agencies are closed.”

“What agencies?” Joan asked, sounding rather perplexed.

I explained what I had been doing for the last couple of days and she chuckled. “Honey,” Joan said, “you asked God for $300 to pay your rent on Monday. Remember the most important part of the process is to ‘Pray and get out of God’s way.’ He doesn’t need you to tell Him how to solve the problem.”

“But I was just doing everything I could to help things along,” I said.

“I think it’s apparent that your trust is in the agencies,” Joan said. “You believe that’s your source. No, no, no, honey—God is your source and the agency is only the vehicle if God so chooses.”

She continued. “Do you remember Proverbs 3:5-6? We are promised, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.’ Whenever your mind brings the problems to the surface, saturate it with scripture. It changes your heart. Thus, quote them consistently until they are etched in your mind, permeated within your heart, and convicted in your soul.”

I hung up the phone and drifted off to sleep meditating on Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Bright and early Sunday morning I awoke feeling extremely energized. I sprang out of bed and dashed to the track field. The morning air was cool and the sun felt good on me as I jogged around the track, praying and worshiping. Edna and I had arranged to go to church together, so after my run, I showered and dressed and headed for her place, arriving there at a quarter after ten. We spent the whole day together at church, attending the morning, afternoon and evening services. I prayed, meditated on the scriptures, listened to the sermons, sang the hymns, and tried not to worry about losing my apartment for not paying rent.

Late in the evening, I dropped Edna off and went directly home. As I pulled into the driveway, I glanced at the illuminated clock on my dashboard. It was 11:45. I had $200 and I needed one hundred more by the deadline—tomorrow morning.

I was distraught by discouragement and worry, but I repeated my reassurance scriptures, and gradually they washed the worry away from my mind. Thoughts of the sermons I had heard that day were penetrating my mind along with the scriptures. I thought back to my conversation with Joan. I did as she suggested. I repeatedly prayed and quoted scripture with earnest conviction, putting the word of God on my lips. I pondered for a brief moment and reflected on Joan’s explanation of forgiveness, which was vivid in my mind. I could almost hear her voice as she explained, “If, by chance, your answer doesn’t come, examine your heart for grudges, ill will, malice, anger, resentfulness, bitterness, and unforgiveness because those negative emotions block your blessing. Cast them out!”

God tells us in Mark 11:25-26, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

I sat in the car and asked God to help me forgive each and every individual who had disappointed me. I sat there for a long while. While praying for forgiveness, I felt a vivid sensation. It was as if a load was lifted off my back. Somehow I felt lighter, freer. Smiling to myself, I unfastened my seat belt and stepped out of my car experiencing the power of freedom for the first time in my life.

Approaching the front door, I noticed crumbled paper on the ground. I thought, This is odd. Both Shari and Gary are two of the most immaculate people I know. What is this trash doing here? I bent to pick it up, and I noticed the color green. It was five twenty-dollar bills.

I was stunned. Who dropped this money? I thought. I rushed into the house. Both of my roommates were still awake and in the living room.

“Did either of you drop any money outside?” I asked.

They both stared at me as if I’d grown another head.

“What are you talking about?” Gary said.

“Money!” I almost shrieked. “Did you drop any money outside?”

They both shook their heads. Each of them thought I had completely lost my mind.

“Are you sure?” I said.

Shari laughed, “Honey, if I’d lost any money, I’d remember it.”

I felt myself almost swelling with joy. I ran to the phone. Sure, it was late—but I had to call Joan.

Reflection: Go within and HUMBLE YOURSELF …therein lies your power. Know that God is your limitless source and He’s working for us. Pray and stay tuned for God’s unexpected provisions.

Perspiration poured down my face—I’d just driven from New York to Los Angeles without any air conditioning. As a matter of fact, the engine, the transmission, the brakes—just about everything in this twelve-year-old wreck was barely working.

After seven months of navigating the LA freeways my automobile was in serious need of repair, actually replacement. However, I pulled into an auto shop and waited for the mechanic to check out my car, I prayed, “Lord, please let the price of the repairs be reasonable.”

About an hour later, the mechanic approached me with a serious look on his face. The estimate to repair the car into descent working order was $5000 for both parts and labor. I decided to leave; I needed to think.

Driving onto the freeway, I calculated my options: I could either use the $5000 for repairs or use it as a down payment for a new car. My mind shifted back to reality when my car started to slow down. A foul odor oozed from under the hood. No problem, I thought, it just needs more transmission fluid and I have plenty in the trunk. Turning on my hazard lights, I began to pull off the freeway. Because I was in the far left lane, it was difficult to get through the heavy traffic while the car moved slower and slower.

“God,” I yelled, “slow these cars down so I can get off the freeway!” Before I could finish my sentence it came to a halt, right there in the middle lane.

“Oh God, I’m sorry for yelling at you. Please forgive me,” I prayed.

I was scared and cried hysterically as I looked in the rearview mirror at the approaching traffic. Fear gripped me and I braced myself, reciting affirmations, “Believe and you’ll receive! Let go and let God! Keep the faith!”

Instantly, a gentle breeze encircled my body. The fear and anxiety dissipated from my mind. A powerful force was compelling me to move. Confused, I looked around but saw no one. As I reached for the door, I felt lifted out of the car and soon found myself on the shoulder of the road, far away from the car. As I wondered how I’d gotten there, a cable television truck slammed into my car, shoving it across two lanes, where it rammed into a pole not far from where I stood. My car’s rear end was crushed; oil and transmission fluid poured from the mess.

The driver jumped out of his truck. “Are you all right?” he asked. I assured him I was fine. “I am so sorry!” he said. “I didn’t see your car until I hit it. I tried to slow down, but I sneezed and my foot dropped heavier on the gas. I think I totaled it.” He walked around looking at my car, transfixed.