March 31, 1998

Psalm 31: 9-15

In God's Hands

On release from jail, we met to discuss his situation. Paul wanted to include a mutual friend. Months ago, Paul left Kansas to "change his luck." He did well enough in Arkansas to get his boss to co-sign a loan for a car. Soon they "had words," Paul returned to Kansas to start fresh again. Arkansas has a seldom-enforced law that makes it a felony to remove mortgaged property to another state. The Bank didn't push the issue but his old boss, his co-signer, did. And he had enough pull to get charges filed. Paul could avoid extradition by paying off the loan, a few thousand dollars. Due to being arrested, he lost his job. His ex-wife, kids, or mother wouldn't consider loaning him any money. The car had been in a "fender bender"; it couldn't be sold or refinanced. Paul had no doubt about the justice that waited for him in Arkansas. While we talked, Paul paced, his hands shook violently, he smoked furiously, and cried. I fully expected this sixty-something year old man to have a stroke or heart attack on the spot. After a very long pause during which I was trying to think of something hopeful, our mutual friend said, "I guess it's in God's hands now." On hearing that, the stress and tension visibly evaporated from Paul. He immediately looked like a guy who didn't have a care in the world.

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Prayer: Dear God: Grant us the faith to trust in you, no matter how dark the day, no matter how undeserving we are of your grace. Amen. [Yesterday |Lenten Index | Tomorrow]