God works in mysterious ways....

I wrote the following post on August 20th:

"This last Saturday my husband and I were sitting in the living room, enjoying dinner and watching television.  The front door opened and in walked a scraggly blonde young man we'd never seen before.  He took off his jacket and hat and dropped them on the floor and said, "Hi."  Startled, the only thing I could mutter was, "Who are you, what are you doing and why did you walk into our home without knocking?"  He said he was sorry but was looking for his friends but couldn't remember where they lived. I advised him his friends were not here and politely asked him to leave. He looked hurt and hesitated for a moment, so I stood up and escorted him out.  It was the oddest experience I'd ever had, and it wasn't until a few hours later that I began to feel the fear. I reported the incident to the Sheriff and found out later the young man was arrested later that night for attempting to steal a car, and that he was definitely under the influence of drugs. God was watching over me and my family that afternoon. Had I reacted angrily or with fear, the outcome may have been disastrous."

~~UPDATE~~

Yesterday, I was totally immersed in my current work in progress when the doorbell rang. I bristled at the interruption and was tempted to ignore it.  Standing on the porch was the same young man. His clothes were clean, his hair cut and he was shaking. I double-checked the screen door lock, worrying that he was there to confront me about calling the police, but I was happily mistaken. He had come over to tell me he was entering a sober living facility to get clean ... which explained his shaking ... withdrawal. 

I unlocked the door and joined him on the porch. I told him I understood what he was going through and how happy I was that he was on the right path.  His face lit up when I shared my struggle with addiction (alcohol) and the fact I had been sober for almost seventeen years. He was obviously scared and I did my best to encourage him. I  grabbed an inspirational book on addiction (we have a large collection) as well as my book, "Moments with God", which includes my personal story of recovery.  Before he left, we hugged and I told him he would be in my prayers.

God works in mysterious ways ... Of all the homes that young man could have entered that night, it was ours. Jeremiah 29:11:  "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you...." 

Heavenly Father, please hold that young man in Your comforting and healing arms and give him the strength and perseverance to succeed.  Thank you for bringing him into my life, as a reminder of how You held me during my struggles. With a humble heart I pray my words to him conveyed what he needed to hear ... You are with him, he is loved and there is hope.   

Amen