Hillsong United  Came to the rescue.

For Ethel, our dear friend, God rescued her. Amen.

I was in communication with a very dear friend recently. I will be writing about S and her family soon. But for the moment I wanted to share what a truely beautiful thing it is that we as friends can be that extra ear and extra shoulder to talk too or to lean on.

What a gift that is. Friends come in many forms , through a countless number of ways. Some of my dearest friends are those I served in my business  as clients over the many years. These relationships were  due to the nature of my work. Our relationship left the client level and proceeded to a long term friendship.In my business projects took a while from consultation, to scheme development and implementation of the design and construction phase if applicable. I took clients shopping for every detail or item needed to accessorize their homes. So we spent a lot of time together forging a long term relationship. I love them.

A good many of clients as I written in the past are very special to me we share our different faiths with one another. That is  probably the most important aspect of my business was sharing God with them sometimes without talking about him. Just living the life.

I was reminded while emailing one of my dear friends what a true honor it is to just be there. Life has so much purpose even when we  feel that it doesn’t. As I am writing I was reminded of another client named Ethel. I will write about her account and let you see just how powerful the Spirit of God is.

ETHEL D.

Back about 12 years ago, I was called back to my client Ethels home for a window treatment quote . I had been there once before years before so I vaguely remembered her.

I went to the consultation for her and showed her different samples based on her needs and the proper decorating style for her taste and budget. It was a go and I received the 1/2 deposit and off I went.

The next day I translated the  order from my notebook into My order sheet and got the order called in.

Two weeks later the product was delivered and I scheduled the installation immediately. Off I went to Ethels home and when I arrived I brought in her new widow treatments unpacked them and was kneeling on the floor getting my drill set up for the install . As I knelt there, facing the Windows ETHEL came in the room and was sitting behind me on the chair. I said hey  Ethel , I was just thinking how is your husband and she said he died. I felt so bad, I had no I idea. I gave my condolences to her and began working once again. She began to talk as I worked and I said Ethel you need to trust in God. She said there is no God.

I knelt there for a moment frozen with what I had just heard. A few seconds passed and the Holy Spirit gave me the words. I got up turned around and said Ethel your my client , you can tell me to be quiet and I will. But, I cannot allow you to say that there is no God, he is here and loves you. She sat there and began to weep.

She stopped and looked up at me. I was now installing her treatments. She said how did you get like this? Your faith? I explained to her that I feel his presence in my life in so many ways. I told her about the Cursillo and what an amazing retreat house St. Basils in Methuen was. I said if she ever wanted to go just call my shop and I will call back right away. I finished the installation and off I went.

The next week the phone rang and it was Ethel, she said Dan you mentioned the retreat I asked my sister who is a nun and she said I should go.

I was really surprised.  We spoke and then I got a little nervous. I did not know Ethel well and during our talk she seemed so fragile. She had been severely abused as a child and had one very bad marriage. Her second marriage was better but far from perfect. Ethel also was house bound and afraid to go out, she had iron deadbolted doors to protect herself. You see my business was very personal , it’s the nature of my work which is also a ministry. And, it has been a two way street my life is shared with them too.

So, I proceeded by taking the situation and  putting into God’s hand and got the application to her and we sent it in. About 2 months later I got a call from her and she said Dan I got the call to go what do I do? I said give them a call and tell them okay if the date works for you. I then said Ethel ask them any questions you might have she replied okay.

A couple of weeks went by and her retreat weekend was coming so I called to say hello and told her I could take her up to St. Basils , Ethel did not drive. I told her I would also come to pick her up on Sunday evening and bring her home when the retreat weekend ended.

You see, God had a plan we did not meet solely because I was to earn a living. The picture that God paints is much richer and much more vibrant then that.

Ethel was being called to meet God. Ethel despite her many fears was compelled to go on this retreat. So anyways, Thursday evening came and I picked her up at her home. We were off to St. Basils in Methuen Ma.

On our way up she talked a blue streak and had one million questions. She was very tense. She said I do not like to be touched they aren’t all huggy are they? I said Don’t worry Ethel if you do not like to hug just don’t. She then said I don’t have to share a room do I  OR a bathroom do I ? I just can’t . At this point the ravine and its drop into the abyss along 93 looked aweful good! Lol

I just said Ethel do not worry God will take care of you. I then silently prayed God your calling Ethel by name to go to Holy Hill St. Basils please remove all obstacles to her weekend.

Psalm 61 1-4 HEAR MY CRY OH LORD.

We arrived to the retreat center and the large crowd was there dropping of their friends as I was dropping off Ethel. EVERYONE WAS HUGGING LOL.

We went outside so she could have a cigarette.

We went in and Ethel signed in and we found her room assignment up we went to her room along the way I saw the other people going  into there rooms. There is generally 2 to 4 sharing a room. Ethel and I walked down the hall to the very end and there was her room. I took a breathe and opened the door and my heart leaped as did Ethels it was a private room with a desk and its own shower. There is only one in the building. That’s a Miracle, God answered my silent prayer not for me but so that Ethel would be at peace and open to meeting him. God is magnificent. That was it I gave her the nickel tour of the beautiful center and its store and the retreat began and all the sponsors were off to go home.

I prayed during the weekend for Ethel and all the ladies there that they would get what they needed.

Sunday afternoon rolled around and my wife and I were off to the center to get Ethel .

We arrived for the small closing ceremony and the place again was packed with people. When the ceremony ended my wife and I went to see Ethel she was standing there. As we walked forward she stepped out to meet us and she had tears in her eyes. She gave us big hugs and said it was an incredible weekend. She said that she had spoken to the religious there including a nun and she felt God in a away that she never had.She was talking about all of the nice ladies there her new friends.

God met her where she was at and Ethel reached out her hand and took Jesus hand.

Ethel went home and I called her the next day just for a moment and she was in such peace.

Two weeks or so later my phone rang and it was Ethel she sounded so well. She wanted to share with me that she is no longer a shut in. That she goes out all the time now as a matter of fact she was a daily communicant at The Shrine in Boston. So this women who was in fear with metal caged doors on her pretty house was now walking to the bus and going to Boston pretty amazing huh! 🙂

Ethel was in her late 70’s at that time around  10 years ago. With life , work etc we lost touch after the retreat. About 6 years ago I happened to be in her neighborhood and thought maybe I will pop in to say hello but as I approached the house I saw that the big steel safety gates on the doors we gone and new curtain adorned her Windows. Either Ethel moved or she passed on. Either way I remember her warmly and I know that God healed her.  She was ready to meet her maker with arms wide open. Amen.

Journey with open arms.

God Bless You,

Danny