75 ~ The Words Were Out

By Kay Heitsch

The Words Were Out

Much to my surprise, this new house sold rather quickly. I began calling the company about the free used boxes.

Every time I called the office, the assistants gave me the same message. "Sorry, there are no free boxes at this time."

I continued to walk in our neighborhood.

One morning, a woman walked out to the curb as I walked by. She introduced herself as Sue and asked, " How did your house sell so fast? My house has been on the market a long time."

I was surprised at my answer, but it was true. I told Sue I had put the house in the Lord's hands. I clarified my answer, explaining to Sue that I had done the same with the last house, which took forever to sell.

Our conversation went on, and we started to talk about packing boxes. Sue was getting a divorce, and money was short.

All of a sudden, these words came out. "God is going to provide you with packing boxes just like He's going to provide mine."

Sue looked shocked and responded that she had faith, but she wasn't sure she had that much faith. I wasn't so sure I had that much faith either, but the words were out.

One day, on my walk, I noticed that a family had just moved in. They were putting professional used boxes on the curb.

I quickly turned around and went to Sue's house. I told her about the boxes and suggested we go and ask if Sue could have them.

Sue figured that since our house was sold and hers wasn't, I should take these boxes. You know that only made sense. But somehow I knew these boxes were for Sue.

I walked back home and got our van, and we began to take these boxes to Sue's house.

God had provided Sue with her boxes. She was relieved and pleased, and so was I.

Now I continued to call about the company's used boxes. Still, the answer was the same: "Sorry, no free boxes at this time."

I continued to call and pray.

74 ~ God Opened Another Door

By Kay Heitsch

We weren't sure what to do now that this position was over.

Bill was told of a job in Michigan. Todd had been buried in Michigan. Bill decided to check it out.

Bill's dad and stepmother lived in Michigan, so he stayed with them for a few days. However, that job didn't pan out.

Bill's dad was a retired doctor who was active in different organizations. One day, he invited Bill to join him to one of the meetings.

At this meeting, Bill met a guy who offered him a job at a bank where they were going to try a new program. Bill accepted this new opportunity. God had opened another door.

But now, we were going to have to move from our new home in Ohio to Michigan.

Moving was nothing new for us. However, moving on our own was. Bill's former company always provided everything and made all of the arrangements.

I couldn't help but wonder how this situation would turn out.

I remembered how our other house took forever to sell. This house had been taken off the market. Would this be the same?

We called a realtor, and a sign went up in the yard.

It wasn't long before moving companies started mailing postcards offering to move us. I selected a few and began to call.

It was interesting talking to each person who came to give a free estimate.

One gal shared how her dad was dying in the hospital. I shared some booklets, told her I would pray, and gave her a hug.

You just don't realize what people may be dealing with. I was happy she felt comfortable enough to tell me about her family.

I had made another call to a company, and a man said he would like to come out himself. However, he was going to be gone for a few days. We set up a date, and he came out.

Roger introduced himself. He was very professional, using a computer to take down all the information.

Our new home was a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, formal living room, and dining room, a beautiful kitchen with cherry cupboards. Family room and a library. Full basement and 3-car garage.

This move was going to be expensive.

Roger must have noticed the look on my face because he explained that, at times, people turn in their used boxes, and you can pick them up for free. I felt somewhat relieved.

I thanked Roger for letting me know about the boxes and told him I would be calling.

I had a few copies of Have a Great Day - Every Day! So I grabbed one. I shared with Roger that Dr. Peale had written this book and chose to put a letter I had written him in the front.

I signed the book and thanked Roger for his time and estimate.

I was so happy that God was using me and this move to share His love.

As always, God was once again making something positive out of having to move again.

73 ~ The Right Place At The Right Time

By Kay Heitsch

I was still working part-time for the public schools and at the nursery school at the church.

Things had been going along reasonably well with the brokerage firm. Every month, agents were expected to meet a quota. The quota was raised each month, and the salary was cut. Things were very tight, but we were making it.

I was at the church when Bill called. He wanted to let me know that he had not met his quota at the brokerage firm, and this job was over. This news was not what I expected to hear. I was feeling sad and confused.

Since God had opened this door, the very night Bill left his 27-year job, I thought this job must be the one God had for him.

I left the church and started for home. Tears were burning my eyes, and I drove right past the entrance to our house.

As I drove along, I noticed a line of traffic. Everyone was waiting for a train to cross. For some reason, it was hardly moving. People were getting upset and turning around. I should have, but I didn't.

As I sat there waiting for the train to pass, I began talking to God. I needed to calm down. Praying was helping. Finally, the train passed, and we were moving.

Suddenly, in my rear-view mirror, I saw an older woman stumble into a ditch on the side of the road and then walk out of it. Something was obviously wrong, but no one stopped to help. So I went back.

Though frightened, she came over when I called out to her. She said she was lost, having gone to a convenience store for a paper and becoming disoriented. I offered to help her retrace her steps, so she climbed into the van, and we soon discovered that she had taken a wrong turn at a three-way street.

Together, we located her daughter's apartment, where she was staying, and her invitation for coffee soon led to a long conversation about her own life and the recent events that had affected her.

Now relaxed and in familiar surroundings, Mary introduced herself and told me that her husband had died recently and that she was visiting her daughter to figure out what to do next. As Mary shared her apprehensions about her future, I did the same.

When I got ready to leave, I experienced a flash of insight. God did care and understand. Look at what just happened: I was delayed in traffic, I saw a total stranger at the exact instant she tumbled into the ditch, and then I went back to help when no one else seemed to notice. As I said goodbye, I hugged Mary.

If the God of the Universe cared enough to put me where I could help her at the exact instant she needed help, then neither one of us should have any fears about the future. God would send us the support we each needed, at the perfect time, just as He had done this day.

Once again, God was bringing something good out of an upsetting situation.

72 ~ It's Over But God...

By Kay Heitsch

Rose and I kept praying for the store to turn around. Things were changing. But it was clear the company wanted Bill to quit, just like every other manager they've put in this store. He knew he had been targeted in the 20-40-60 plan.

I was sitting in the pew on Sunday morning when Bill walked in and sat down next to me. All he said was, "It's over." I knew exactly what he meant.

It was hard to hold back the tears knowing we had given 27 years of our lives to a company, and this is how we were treated.

I say we, because when the company your husband works for transfers him an average of every year and a half, it's no picnic for the family. Finding new housing, changing states, new doctors, schools, etc., takes a toll on every member of the family.

Finding new friends and leaving them is especially difficult. You begin to build a wall around yourself because of being hurt. I believe that's why Todd and I were so close. We thought we always had each other.

Now we didn't know what we were going to do. We had just bought this new home, and Shannon was in college.

Several managers who had been caught up in the 20-40-60 plan hired lawyers. It was apparent that this was job discrimination.

However, that night Bill opened the Sunday newspaper. We only got the Sunday paper for the ads. Now Bill was looking in the jobs area.

Lo and behold, there was an ad for a stockbroker company. They were looking to train and hire new agents. Bill had always been interested in stocks. He decided to go down for an interview.

This initial interview was no easy process. Several people showed up. An extended test was given. As the test progressed, people kept getting up and leaving. At the end, only a couple remained.

Bill was selected, but now had to study long hours and pass the test to be licensed. Bill went to NYC to the Twin Towers for training. He passed the test and was hired.

Once again, God took something that was an unfair situation and turned it into a triumph.

71 ~ Where Do You Get Your Energy From?

By Kay Heitsch

I was enjoying walking in our new neighborhood. I felt safe and met several neighbors and new people.

Each morning before I walked, I spent time studying my Bible. Later, I joined a Bible study group for a while, too.

One morning, after my time with the Lord, I started my walk. There was some new home construction going on in the neighborhood. As I walked by, I always waved at the guys working.

On this day, one of the workers, a big, burly guy, came out to the road. I was surprised when he asked, "Where do you get all your energy from?" I was even more surprised when I answered, "I spend time with the Creator of the Universe before I start to walk."

Now my answer started an interesting conversation. I told John that I believed that God keeps the whole universe energized. If I spend personal time with Him, God will certainly give me energy.

I thought our conversation was over when John asked, "When you spend time with the Creator, will you talk to Him about me? I have cancer." I certainly wasn't expecting this. I told John I would pray for him.

I walked back home and found some Dr. Peale booklets and pamphlets I thought would be helpful. I drove back to the site and gave them to John.

A week later, John came back out to the road. He told me he had taken the booklets I gave him to the VFW and shared them with the "boys at the bar."

Now I knew without a doubt God wanted me to be walking in my neighborhood.

God used my scary experience on that trail to bring something good out of it.

70 ~ Sunglasses and Pink Rosary

By Kay Heitsch

Since I had decided not to walk the trails anymore, I began to walk in my neighborhood.

One overcast morning, as I began my walk, I saw a woman walking towards me. What got my attention was that she was wearing sunglasses.

As she walked closer, I said, "Hi," and we introduced ourselves. Then I jokingly mentioned how we both were wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day.

Much to my surprise, Judy confessed that she was crying behind her sunglasses because she was in the middle of a divorce.

Judy and I became good walking friends. We loved to share stories of how we saw God working in our daily lives.

One morning, Judy shared how the evening before she had been at one of her daughter's basketball games. She noticed her husband was there too.

After the game, it began to pour rain. As Judy was walking to her car, her husband drove right past. Judy said a flood of emotions went through her as she reflected on their past love.

When Judy got into her car, she noticed the tank was almost empty. She knew she had to get gas.

On her way to the gas station, Judy cried out to God. Judy felt sad and unloved. She even wondered if God still loved her.

When Judy opened the door to start pumping gas, she looked down. Much to her amazement, at her feet was a beautiful pink rosary. Judy was Catholic, so she knew God had put this rosary there just for her.

Judy expressed to me how she felt love fill her heart on that cold, rainy evening, because she knew God loved her.

I have no doubt that God arranged Judy's and my meeting. God knew I needed a friend like her after leaving my friends behind.

69 ~ 1-800 Call Kay

By Kay Heitsch

I like to volunteer. One day, a man expressed that he seemed to see me everywhere. I jokingly said, "Can't you see 1-800 Call Kay on my forehead?" I guess I'm a professional volunteer.

In jest, I said, "What I'd like to know is, 'Who's someone?" That is what everyone says, "Someone gave me your name."

The new church we started to attend had a program to feed the homeless. Once a month, we took Sloppy Joe's, etc, to a homeless mission.

I'd been involved in jail ministry for a while. That was interesting. We had helped Rose with her mission before, providing clothing and other necessities, but this was different.

This homeless mission had an after-school program to tutor students. I volunteered and helped in their food pantry, too.

On occasion, I took Brandon with me. I'm not sure he was entirely into it, but it was a good experience to see another side of life.

I could see the Lord had me stepping out of my comfort zone. I'll never forget the smell, but somehow it didn't bother me. Other people couldn't stand it.

I know the things I volunteered for were not for everyone.

I believe God has a plan for everyone. Some plans aren't too glamorous, but I can tell you that if it's part of your plan, you'll have a sense of peace.

It was difficult moving away from friends.

But God turned that difficulty into a positive, helping strangers.