CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“God created this game of life; and only when we play it his way, can

we find meaning, purpose and happiness.”

-- Lane Adams

I had my weekend planned and was looking forward to it. It was going

to be just what I needed. I had been out of town four weekends in a row,

and this past weekend I was going to be home.

I thoroughly enjoyed the different people and places I’d been with and

to in the past month, but I was weary and ready for a few free days. My

husband Jon was scheduled to be out of town as well, so I knew the quiet

days would give me a chance to catch up on some work.

As each day of the week unfolded, however, some piece of my plan

changed. Each time I had to laugh, and by the end of the week, all I

could say was, “Wow God, this must be some weekend you have planned

here.” And it was.

Monday I was oblivious to any changes. Tuesday I learned that two of

our Egyptian friends, who were coming into town, needed a place to stay

over the weekend.

We met these wonderful men in Cairo a year ago when we were on a

short-term mission trip. They opened their hearts, church and country to

us with such warmth, love and graciousness that of course I was happy to

open our home to them. Whenever I am around them, I feel a special touch

of God’s love in a most unique way. Jon quickly changed his plans to be

home.

Wednesday our daughter Kelly called to say that she was flying home

for the weekend, as well, to go to a wedding of a dear friend.

Thursday I was asked to host a dinner on Friday and a lunch Saturday

for our guests. Nothing I could do would come close to the hospitality

they lavished on us in their country, so I was thankful for the

opportunity.

Plans simplified a bit that day as my dishwasher broke, following the

lead of my ice maker, which also recently quit.

Friday morning Kelly called to say that two of her friends were

driving down Friday night and would be here until Sunday. I love these

girls like daughters, so of course they could stay here. Our house isn’t

large, but I knew it could work.

I also learned that the other teams coming into town for our church’s

“Missions Sunday” would join us for dinner Friday, and we ended up with

25 or 30 wonderful people. They each said grace in their own languages,

so I had the pleasure of hearing it in Arabic, Ukrainian, Spanish and

Chinese, as well as English. The beauty of it was indescribable and the

weekend was one blessing after the other.

It was an honor to be in the presence of so many men and women who

love and serve God so completely.

God’s plans for my weekend were far better than I could have imagined.

I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, he created the world, I can

certainly trust him to create a weekend.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.