Always Expect the Unexpected

Wow, what a week this has been!  We got one of those calls that absolutely fills you with dread....from one of our church members,  "I've been trying to call Mrs. ZZZZ all morning and can't reach her.  I told her I would drop something by first thing this morning but I can't reach her.  I've been to her house and there's no answer at the door."  This same Mrs.ZZZZ is a widow who is fiercely independent, lives alone and has had a number of falls.  She is VERY predictable and punctual and so it was unlike her not to be home if she was expecting someone to be at her house.  The Preacher and I headed to her house to check on her.  


We couldn't tell if her car was home but the house was locked up tight.  We contacted the Sheriff's office and they sent someone right over.  Then a parishoner came by, then another 3 deputies... then a neighbor who had Mrs. ZZZZ's daughters' name and phone number and also had Mrs. ZZZZ's house key.  The daughter said her mother wasn't with her and so the deputies decided to check in the house to see if maybe she'd had a fall and couldn't answer the door or phone.  We were all silently praying that the car would be gone and she would be out shopping or something like that.  They got into the house and opened the garage door from there.  As the door went up, my heart sank.... there was the car.  I then waited for the deputies to come out of the house, fearing the worst.  


The deputies  finally came out and said she was NOT in there.  They had searched everywhere.  Apparently Mrs. ZZZZ was away with someone and had forgotten that someone was coming by that morning.  We let the daughter know what we had found and to let us know if she heard anything.  An hour or so later the phone at the parsonage rang and it was Mrs. ZZZZ saying that she was back at home and safe.  She had been called away early that morning to assist a friend and thought it was too early to make any phone calls to let people know she would be away.  She apologized for worrying everyone but was very pleased to know that she was so much loved.  


Love one another.  Sounds like a good thing to do.  


"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."     John 13:34-35