Dear friends and family,
Tuesday morning began just like any other. My alarm went off at 8:00am and I slept an extra 20 minutes. I rushed to get ready, skipping my shower, and arrived to my class five minutes late. (And I might add that five minutes in my book is not too shabby!) After class, I decided it would be to my benefit and the benefit of those around me to return to my dorm and get a proper cleaning.
Back in the dorm, after showering and getting dressed, I noticed my calendar hanging from the side of my refrigerator. It read, "April 16: Passport appointment @ 2pm". A huge feeling of relief came over me as I had completely forgotten about the appointment! It already took an arm and a leg to get the appointment made and would be a shame if I had lost it. It was around 11:00am when I pulled into the post office parking lot. When I walked into the office I was happy to find the place vacant, save the two women standing behind the desk.
"Hello! My name is Mary Grace Owen. I have an appointment today at 2pm."
"Hey there sweetie, give me just one moment," said the older woman, "let me check today's schedule." She returned with a confused look on her face, "What was that name again hun?"
"Mary Grace Owen,"I responded.
"I'm sorry but it doesn't look like you're on the list." She disappeared for a moment and came back holding another piece of paper. "I'm sorry to tell you hun, but you're a day late." She said coldly.
My eyes began to fill with tears as I realized what that meant: No passport, no Germany. I asked, pleaded, and nearly begged on my knees for another appointment. But it was no use. They were completely booked for the next month. I walked out of the building with my spirits crushed. I opened the car door, sat down, buckled my seat belt, and rested my head on the steering wheel. "How could you be so forgetful?" I asked myself. I turned the key and immediately realized what I was doing. I am NOT going to give up that easily!
I got out of the car and marched back into the post office, this time, determined to be seen.
"Hello again!" I said to the two women.
"Hello," They both said simultaneously. It was evident by their expressions that they were curious as to why I had returned. I began explaining my situation to them and that it was of the utmost importance that my passport information be processed as soon as possible. They told me that the only other options were going directly into D.C. to get it renewed or waiting around the office and hoping that someone did not show up for their appointment.
All the while, a man had been standing behind me listening to our conversation. I turned around and he greeted me.
"Hey!"
"Hey?"
"I have the first passport appointment today."
At first I thought, Wow! Are you serious? Thanks for rubbing it in! But, thankfully, what actually came out of my mouth was a simple, emotionless "Okay".
"I don't think you understand," he said, "I want to give it to you."
I looked back at the two women who I had been speaking with moments earlier. Huge smiles grew across their faces. I could not believe it! Half an hour later, the man's name was called.
"Jeff?"
"Yes mam." He reported.
"I understand that you want to give this young lady your appointment?"
"That's correct."
"Well," the woman said nearly in a chuckle, "This is so strange. I just got off the phone and the person with the appointment immediately following yours cancelled."
"Cancelled? So does that mean..."
"It means that you get your appointment and this young lady gets theirs!"
As I was driving back to campus I couldn't help but thank the Lord for all that he had done! He brought to mind a passage I had read earlier that day, Psalms 78:11-16, "They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers."
After reading that, I remember thinking, How could the Israelites forget such incredible wonders and miracles? Being set free from the bondage of Egypt, being led by the cloud and the fiery light, seeing the Red Sea split in two, mana from heaven, water from the rock! They were so stupid to turn from him and worship idols! If I were them, I would have never forgotten God's wonders and miracles!
Little did I know, the Lord was going to test that promise. When I arrived at the post office and discovered I had missed my appointment, I lost all faith. I hopelessly returned to the car. As I turned the key and the engine roared, I remembered what God had done for me in my desert. Exactly a week before He had provided $3,000 of support in a matter of five hours. How could I have so easily forgotten? I humbly followed his direction and walked back into the post office in full faith that He would provide a way for my passport to be renewed. He not only provided one but two ways! He is The Provider!
Again I pray, that I never forget the wonders and miracles the Lord has done in my life! And may I always share them with others, that they may also rejoice and be encouraged in the Lord's faithfulness.
-MG
