WHILE I WAS SLEEPING

"...even at might my heart instruct me."  Psalm 16:7b

      Pastor Ted announced, "A team from our church will be going on a ministry trip to Australia in a few months.  Anyone interested should attend the preliminary meeting."  My heart was pounding with excitement because it was truly my desire to be on the team.  After service that Sunday, Pastor Ted said to me, "The Lord said to tell you not to limit yourself to China.  He is sending you to other parts of the world."  Surely this meant I was to be part of the team.

      Up until this time had made three unforgettable trips to China as a Bible courier.  Even though I had left a part of my heart in that far-off land, I was ready to go wherever the Lord wanted to send me.  How well I remember the day at a women's retreat I had boldly stated, "Here am I, Lord! Send me!"  I meant it with all my heart.

      Consequently, after confirming that I should go to Australia by seeking the Lord concerning this trip, I announced excitedly to R.J., "I am going to Australia with the team from our church!"  This did not set well with R.J. and he retorted in a belligerent voice, "You have traveled enough."

      I replied, "What do you mean 'you have traveled enough'? I have only been to China and you have been all over the world."  R.J. shot back, "That was my work in the Navy.  I went wherever they sent me."  Woundedly I said, "Well this is my work. I am sort of like a missionary."  Scowling sullenly R.J. snarled, "I'll break your leg so you can't go."  When R.J. saw the frightened look on my face he quickly remarked, "I was just kidding."

      I had not expected this violent reaction, and my heart was filled with apprehension.  When I relayed this to my pastor he said I should not go if it upset my husband, that he should be in agreement with my being included on the ministry team.  That night I prayed, "Oh Lord, I really thought You had said I should be on the team.  I relinquish all hope of going to Australia."

      A few days later I said to my friend Lola, "I can't be on the ministry team because R.J. does not want me to go on any more trips."  Lola replied, "That's too bad.  Why don't you tell R.J. you will not go to Australia unless God speaks it through him."

      When I relayed this to R.J. it brought howls of laughter from him.  He replied with a satisfied smirk on his face, "Well, you are not going to Australia because God never speaks to me."  Nothing more was said on the subject, and I put out of my mind.

      Several evenings later we were sitting out on the front porch resting after the day's activities.  R.J. began scratching his head as if pondering some deep revelation.  Then he relayed the strange thing that had happened to him.

      In a puzzled tone of voice he said, "Last night when I went to bed I was determined that you would not go to Australia.  But as I was sleeping something changed my mind.  I know you are supposed to go to Australia.  I want you to go and what's more I am going to give you two hundred dollars spending money."

      I said laughingly, "Do you suppose it was God?"  Still looking puzzled he said, "I just don't know.  I only know something changed my mind while I was sleeping."