The Spirit is A’Movin’

I have a little assignment for you. I would like you to be on the lookout today for the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. He’s present. What’s He up to?

I’ll go first with an example.

A week ago on Saturday evening, I had plans to attend a ladies’ night out. Some of my very best friends-of-the-heart were getting together at Cathie’s house, where she going to teach us how to bake bread according to this method. (Cathie bakes amazing things.) Then, should we so choose, we could stay for a movie.

Ever the supportive man, my husband said sure to the bread baking. He did, however, express his concern over my staying for the movie. “You have your holy hour tomorrow morning. Do you think you should be out that late?”

It was a valid concern—I see that now—but at the time, the pride in me did not want to be told what to do. I said something bratty to the effect of “Daddy being worried about his little girl” which, when you think about it, would seem to indicate that I am still very much a little girl.

At least inside my heart I am. On the outside, I’m going gray and getting wrinkles.

Anyway, I really hate admitting to the things that come out of my mouth in these fits of petulance, and I did not deserve what happened next.

The phone rang.

“Hello, Margaret? This is Michael Z.”

Michael is my go-to guy when I need a replacement for my holy hour. He lives near the church and never, ever hesitates to cover for me when I need him. He’s a great guy.

“This is going to sound strange,” Michael continued, “But I’ve been thinking all week that I should call you and see if you’d like me to do your holy hour tomorrow.”

“You’ve been thinking all week that you should call me and see if you can do my holy hour?” I repeated what he said out loud for the sake of my family, who were listening with their mouths open. I thanked him and said that yes, that would be very kind of him and I would indeed take him up on it.

And then I hung up the phone and said, “Well, problem solved!”

Let me reiterate that I did not merit this celestial favor, having been such a big snotty thing just moments earlier. I am reminded—again and again, really, throughout the day-to-day course of my very imperfect life—that grace is a free gift from a God Who is just brimming with love.

So be on the lookout today, okay?

Because we never know what’s in store for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)

AMDG,